Final Writing Assignment

This year has had its ups and downs. Within the composition atmosphere I especially had to rediscover myself. Aristotle distinguished proofs by logos (logic), ethos (credibility), and pathos (emotion). According to Essentials of Argument, "proof that establish ethos appeals to the audience's impressions, opinions, and judgements about the individual stating the argument. Arguers who demonstrate competence, good character, fair-mindedness, and goodwill toward the audience are more convincing than people who lack these qualities". Having good credibility will help people to be more trusting of my work and therefore they will take me more seriously.

I showed my credibility, or ethos, in a few different ways. One way was showing fair-mindedness in my Healthier Eating paper; I took an interest into the reasons people ate unhealthily and did not attack them. "According to WebMD the top reasons for eating fast food meals goes as follows: they are quick, easy to get, taste good, and are inexpensive." This was part of what I wrote in this paper which shows how I acknowledged the other side. I played both sides of the argument so they would not be frightened.

Another way I showed ethos was with my good character. In our website assignment we were required to "relate an ethos that helps us understand your projects" according to the guidelines set by our instructor. My groups website called Better Decisions has an about us page that depicts our ethos very well. My status says "I am interested in improving people's lives from the inside out. For my most recent English paper I researched healthy eating and how to incorporate it into our daily lives. In order to be happy we must first be at a healthy state of mind and body to enjoy life to its fullest." This shows that I have good character because I want to help others and I have good intentions.

I think the instructor was successful in letting us put ourselves into the paper. He did not make it solid black and white, but left room for us to color in gray. Every paper I wrote I had the opportunity to choose my topic. This helped me in the writing process because I already had some background knowledge on what I was writing. I think this helped to step up my ethos as well. I was a more credible source because I knew what I was talking about.

As I am writing this blog I notice my eyes are glancing at the clock because I know I need to hurry up. I am on a race with the clock to see who can get done first. I also note that my fingers are flying across the keyboard trying to get this all typed out, but making mistakes and having to go back and correct them. The reason I point this out is because I know I am not perfect. There is always room for improvement, and I plan to keep improving throughout my accademic career. I am unstoppable!

A Soldier's Love

Recently I had a conversation with a good friend of mine about our American soldiers in Iraq. She told me about a young man from her hometown who had died due to a suicide car bomb. There was the usual funeral with full honors. I figured this was the end of the story, but then she continued to say that a group of rioters came and tried to ruin this already miserable and somber day. The people rioting were called Westboro Baptist Church. I was pretty confused, thinking "why would a church riot at a funeral?" This did not make sense to me.

My friend began to explain to me what they were about. They are a hate group who is against anybody who is gay (liking somebody of the same sex). They also believe that everybody who is in the service is gay. You can find more information at their website www.godhatesfags.com.

However this was not the end of my fury; we watched a video online with Julie Banderas from FOX NEWS who argued quite well with a representative from the group.

This video infuriated me a great deal. I do not know what your beliefs are, but I have many friends and family who give there time to protect this great country. I do not know how this person can sleep at night. I have never been so outraged at everything somebody has ever said until now. What are your feelings on this? Do you feel this is un-American? I would really like to know your thoughts on this because this is something that I would like to spread word about. This hate group out of Kansas travels to funerals all over the country to protest. If I ever come into contact with them, I do not know what I will do, but I can guarantee it will NOT be pretty.

Calf Fry

Last week the annual Calf Fry was held in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It is an outdoor country music festival with fried cow testicles as a specialty. There were many musicians there througouht the week. The even promotes Red Dirt Country music that has roots in Oklahoma. The big acts of the weekend included Cross Canadian Ragweed and Miranda Lambert.


I had the privelege of going to the festival and experiencing the wonderful atmosphere. While trying to enter I felt like I was a cow being herded in through the gates. It was kind of odd, but once I got inside the complex I realized that it was much bigger than I had anticipated. There were so many people there, and once Miranda Lambert took the stage it was packed like sardines. I worked my way up to the front and boy did I get a show. Sadly so many people there were drunk that they probably don't remember, but one man (who I hope was intoxicated) ran up on the stage causing a seen and started running from the authorities. They ended up getting him, but it was pretty funny to hear what Miss Lambert had to say. She speaks a mind of her own and she didn't let the crowd stop her from speaking her mind.

Below is a video I took of Miranda Lambert at Calf Fry 2010 singing White Liar.

All in all it was a very good showcase of musicians with a very good turnout, and I'm sure much revenue. Who do you think the Tumbleweed should invite to perform next year? Would you try their odd delicacies?

Sooners in Person

Going to a big university there is always a chance that some big athlete will be in your class or at the same place as you. They seem like royalty or even superstars at your college. Recently I have had the experience of getting to know many of them in person. Deep down we all know they are "just like us", but still they always seemed more special to me.

One of my best friends has her own apartment that I go to a few times a week; much of the basketball team lives right next to her. Big names like Willie Warren, Omar Leary, and Ryan Wright, and Tony Crocker live there. After seeing them so often it seems normal to say hi.

Not only have I gotten to know the basketball team, but the football team as well. After meeting two of them through a friend I have hung out with quite a few now. They are very fun to be around, and are very happy go lucky.

I also had the opportunity to meet Danielle Robinson who is a very sweet and humble young lady. We talked for about twenty minutes, and I came to learn that if you set the bar high and not let anyone get to you, dreams can come true.

Two other people that I had the privilege meeting were Whitney Hand and Landry Jones. It was pretty cool to talk to them because they have come so far. The reason I felt to write about meeting these athletes is because I feel that it is a part of the college experience. As I finish up my first year at Oklahoma I realize that it is great to be a Sooner instead of a Cowboy or Longhorn. Red will always be better than orange!

A Day Without Digital Technology

Last week I performed an experiment on myself by choosing to not use digital technology to the best of my ability for one whole day. I kept a record of what I did instead, how I felt, and I will give my assessment on it. This all started because of my English professor who thought this would be a good task for us all to try. Seeing that we live in a very technological world I perceived that this would be more difficult than I initially thought. For this experiment I gave up my cell phone, television, and my social networking cites (Facebook & Myspace).

Besides waking up to the alarm clock on my phone I did successfully accomplish the experiment. I had to use my phone to wake me up because I did not see any other way around it. The first thing I noticed was I did not get that instant perk-up from my boyfriend saying "good morning beautiful". Normally this is the first thing I have to greet my day with.

Once I left my room for class I did not know if I was on time or late for class because I normally check my phone constantly for the time; I do not have a wrist-watch. My first class was not bad, but later in the day it proved more stressful to make it to my classes on time. In between my classes I decided to play on the swings for something to do. It was a nice, warm day outside. During the afternoon I did feel sort of lonely because I did not get the chance to talk to my family or friends back home. Normally I talk to a handful of friends throughout the day via text.

Not only could I not speak with people from back home, but I could not get a hold of friends living here in Oklahoma. Because I could not text, call, or even message them on Facebook, it proved a chore to meet up with friends. I could only hang out with friends who lived on the same floor as me because living in the dorms it is necessary to have a card to have access to their rooms. Without them knowing I was coming, they did not come to open the locked doors.

On a totally different aspect, it was much easier to complete my homework for the day because I did not have all of the distractions that my multi-tasking throws at me. Instead I finished my work quicker and had free time! :) With my free time I decided to go to a friend's apartment and knock on her door. We went outside since it was such a beautiful day out, and we laid out by her pool. While we were suntanning we had our zoology notes out to study. It was a very relaxing time due to no interruptions from a cell phone.

Above is a picture I took while laying outside studying. The pool was behind me.

My friend and I took pictures to capture our memories and for something else to do. We were being pretty silly and letting loose because we finally could have a some-what care-free day before dead week and finals. However I now come to realize that even taking pictures with our cameras was using digital technology. Since I gave up different aspects I feel that this was not deter mental to the experiment because I went in having certain items I would not allow myself to use, and those objects I did abstain from.

I feel that without digital technology we are taking a step back in time. It gives you a chance to slow down in this fast-paced world. It is almost as if you have a bird's eye view on what is going around outside of you. At times I did feel a bit lonely, but it was not that bad. I kept myself busy and productive. I also at one time felt a bit of anxiety from not talking to some friends, but it was nothing that I could not handle. Also the next day I did not feel I needed to rush to my digital devices, nor make up for lost time with them. I think that since this experiment I have used my devices a bit less and have taken the opportunity to not be so connected because the freedom without it can be very comforting.

One person who believes in the abstinence of computers is Wendell Berry. He is a farmer and a former English professor at the University of Kentucky who writes using only pen/pencil and paper. One essay he wrote was "Why I am Not Going to Buy a Computer" which describes his views that technology is not better than traditional forms of writing. Instead he chooses to have his wife edit and type his work on a typewriter. He says that in order for computers to be good they would always have to get cheaper, be fixable by the user, not interrupt what is already a good working system, not ruin family and community, etc.

Even though I gave up my technology for one day, Mr. Berry has chosen to live independent of digital technology. While I respect his opinions, I will choose to keep technology in my life because I feel that it is pertinent to my success. This experiment was an eye opening experience that showed me I am a strong, independent person who can live with our without digital technology, but like I stated I will continue to live with it. Being in the twenty-first century technology is very important for everyday life. What will you do with technology?

Possible Issues for Paper

Monday, in my English class I was assigned a 6-7 page paper that discusses an argument over some aspect of technology. One topic I am considering is whether or not you have privacy while using Facebook. I think this topic would be good because I have current knowledge on it and already have some basic ideas. Facebook puts out much personal information, but the thing is YOU are putting it out there on your own. It is your decision what you let people know about yourself and your life.

Another idea i could do is how the iPhone has changed technology. It has allowed people to be multifunctional all at the same time, that has not been done before now. It has really affected the way people run their daily lives.

I could also do how technology affects our lives. There are several ways that this could be applied. I think that this would be a good because I could take this in any direction.

Doritos Super Bowl Commercial

Since many people watch the Super Bowl not just for its amazing showmanship in athleticism, but for its unique advertisements, I find it fitting to write about one which received quite a few laughs among my friends and I.

The company Doritos submitted many commercials in between the football game of he Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints of course won the game if you are unaware. The one which I would like to embark upon portrayed a young African American boy, his mother, and her date for the night. A scene from this very commercial is shown below.

Here the little boy is scolding the man giving him fierce rules/instructions.

The intense scene in the short commercial trying to sell Doritos chips is at the end of the ad. The little boy watches the man check out his mom as she walks away. The man sits down eats a chip and picks up game controller when the little boy slaps him in the face and says, “Put it back! You keep you hands off my momma; you keep your hands off my Doritos!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v+pQR1tDIpZh4&feature=related

This creates a lasting impression on the audience generating rolls of laughter. A message that the commercial gives is" Do not go taking other people's Doritos because they love them too much for you to take any; instead you should go buy your own.

I identify with this object as a member of society who is on the go a lot. Being on the go I often need a snack because I cannot get to a meal. They are fast, easy and convenient, and also taste good. When I was younger I used to eat these chips all of the time literally. I probably had a large bag every week all by myself. My sister and I would beg my mom to buy them every time we went to the grocery store with her. I think my mom hated bringing us to the store because she always spent more than she wanted when she brought us along. We were a tough team and when combined we could be pretty unstoppable forces. I think this add appealed to my younger days as a child and brought some old memories to the surface that I had not given much thought about in a long time.

Also, when I was younger I was very much like the little boy for the fact that I did not want to share anything. If I had food it was mine (literally). I would throw a big fit for no reason other than I did not want you to take my food.

I think in a way it could represent me (or women for that matter), but feel that it was more so targeted towards men. It targets men with the use of sex appeal of the female woman. It could represent me for the fact that as a woman, or mom, your son would stand up for you. Mom's love this fact about their sons by not wanting some guy to harm you. But showing the man checking out the woman could offend some proper women who feel that is offensive (not including myself). Some may see it as being unsuitable for television, however in today's world I think this should be the least of our worries.

I chose this item because I really liked the commercial. Being a huge football fan I watched the Super Bowl and this was one of my favorite (and school appropriate) commercials. I think it represents me because I have a very good sense of humor, and love the way the little boy just slaps and yells at the man. The little boy in the commercial really reminds me of my best friend’s son who is nearing that age. He has quite the little attitude that you just cannot help but laugh at, same as in the commercial. Also it helps remind me to stay humorous and not take everything too seriously because I want to live a more carefree life. I think the commercial does a good job with this.

I think that the commercial does a good job of persuading its audience because many people will be talking about this commercial for days and weeks to come. Thus indicating that they haven’t forgotten about it. Also knowing how much these companies have to pay to have their commercials aired during this prime time event, there must be some good evidence showing that it pays off. Otherwise they would not spend so frivolously year after year on these commercials.

http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/winners

I think that this company does a good job of catching the audience's attention by their use of bright color and modernism. They also give it a movie appeal and a comedy aspect which many people enjoy. The irony of the little boy's cuteness is also a huge factor because it is so funny how he talks back to the adult the way does. Common ground is found with the audience by creating a scenario which many people are familiar with. There are many single moms out there who try dating and at some point or another they introduce the man they are going out with. Depending on the situation and the child this can sometimes be a difficult task.

The juxtapostion of the little boy back-talking and the emotional response of laughter are both captured by this visual argument over the Doritos. They also use their own icon of the Doritos symbol and chips that most people can associate with.

I think with all of these arguments taken into consideration that Doritos did a good job in convincing people to buy Doritos. They connected with the audience and threw in humor for an added appeal.