Rhetoric. Definition: the use of symbolic action by human beings to share ideas, enabling them to work together to make decisions about matters of common concern and to construct social reality. I had never been concerned with reality, as pretentious as it sounds. (It sounds pretty cringe as well). But for a long time, that’s how I felt. 

I had always been told by my parents to take a look at the world around me, instead of focusing on the world that wasn’t. I guess I was a bit of a dreamer as some might describe it, although I would say more of an idealist. I focus on hypotheticals, fiction, things that aren’t tangible but are. I wasn’t always aware of my surroundings or news or trends, and I tended to let things pass me by. I was too distracted with my thoughts and imagination. 

Enter this class. Although I didn’t realize it at the start, I began to understand that this part of myself that was for a long time unaware of current issues, should be exposed and made better. And going through this class really did accomplish that goal for me. I was exposed to many different perspectives, topics, issues that I haven’t given much thought of or even heard of. I found imagination doesn’t stop with reality, but learns from it. 

That’s rhetoric. Learning. Ideas. Reality. And Change. Building and detail and the tangible and intangible. I found it. I’ve changed in this class. I think I’ve definitely discovered (although a bit late to the game) the necessity to be aware and to be present in reality, to have important conversations and to share unique insights or understandings. It doesn’t hinder creativity or stifle possibilities, it gives more evidence and more growth and more reasoning behind why more of these ideas need to be produced and then sifted to create some real special change. 

I thank you for sharing your ideas and opinions and realities. It sure was fun!

Hey, guys! Compared to my other blogs, I honestly wanted to keep things simple for all of us before we all go and take some time off from school, so I’m going to try and cut straight to the point for this blog. Below I listed a whole bunch of controversies that I either have no opinion on or have never researched so that it provides a clean starting point for the project. Feel free to use any of these with your own groups as well!

• Marijuana legalization
• Trans athletes in competitions
• Ethics of animal cloning
• Assisted suicide legalization
• Cancel culture ethics
• Is there really a Santa Claus? (I saw this listed on a website of controversial topics and now I am very intrigued)
• Space colonization
• Death penalty 

If I had to choose some of my more favored topics, I would probably pick either assisted suicide legalization or the ban/continuation of the death penalty. I haven’t looked much into either topic but they both fascinate me the most out of all of them. Most of these (aside from Santa) have equal reasoning to support either side of each debate. There really isn’t much separating my opinion on which topics to choose from. What do you guys think? Are there any particular topics you would look forward to hearing about in a project? I look forward to seeing your final projects as well. 

Have a happy thanksgiving! 

Sources:

• Is Santa Real Link: https://santa-claus.procon.org/
• https://www.procon.org/debate-topics/

Theme:

How the views surrounding true crime have changed alongside its representation in media. The objective will be to cover what true crime originally started out as, the early foundations of true crime, the shift in fear to idolization of criminals, and modern-day/future implications for the genre of true crime.

*While these are specific artifacts included, they are subject to change as more research is done and the projects become more refined.

 Turning Point 1: Pre-True Crime (1500s-1700s)

**Note: Something that is particularly frustrating about this time period is that there is mentions of the earliest forms of true crimes originating during this time, however I can’t find a specific artifact about them. For example, a prominent form of true crime existed in the form of ballads which originated in Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Scandinavia in the 16th and 17th centuries, yet there isn’t a specific name for those, only ones that came afterwards and were inspired by them. I will name general and specific examples, although the specifics are from a different time period because the original is yet to be found.

• Gen. Ballads (16-17 century): Originating in Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and Scandinavia
• Ballad (180os): Omie Wise’s Ballad
• Ballad (1700s): Pretty Polly

Turning Point 2: Literary Crime (1800s-1900s)

True crime has begun to turn towards viewing the subject as something of interest. It is now stemming beyond facts and is exploring societal, scientific, and aesthetic implications.

• Essay (1827): On Murder Considered as one of the Fine Arts by Thomas De Quincey
• Pamphlet (1850): Trial of Professor John W. Webster

**Notable cases at the time: Lizzie Borden

Turning Point 3: Prime Time for Crime (1900s-2000s)

This era has not only some of the most popular cases and names of true crime killers we know today, but also shows the emergence of establishing the modern style of the genre and the pathway into profitability.

• Novel (1965): In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
• Novel (1974): Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi
• Television (began 1996): Forensic Files

**Notable cases at the time: Charles Manson, Zodiac Killer, John Wayne Gacy

Turning Point 4: The Future of True Crime (2000s-Present)

The most current and recognizable form of true crime. Almost everything containing true crime retains a profit, and most often does not use those profits in the favor of the victims or their families.

• Podcast (2017): Crime Junkies
• Netflix Movie (2019): Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
• Netflix Series (2022): Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Sources:

• https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/topics/murder-pamphlets/webster-2_101594012-sm.html
• https://crimereads.com/a-brief-history-of-the-rise-and-evolution-of-true-crime-books/
• https://www.texasghosttour.com/the-history-of-true-crime-how-the-genre-has-evolved-over-time
• https://daily.jstor.org/bloody-history-of-true-crime-genre/
• https://augustaartsandculture.org/omie-wises-ballad-visiting-the-grave-dedicated-to-naomi-wise/#:~:text=Wise’s%20murder%20is%20preserved%20in,churches%20still%20bear%20her%20name.
• https://daily.jstor.org/the-murder-ballad-was-the-original-true-crime-podcast/

Have you ever been scammed out of Penn State football tickets? Thankfully that has never happened to me, but I know for a few, up to hundreds of dollars have been lost to petty thieves looking to profit off the misfortunate. The sad fact is, scammers are everywhere. They run through phone lines, social media, group me chats, text messages, and most commonly of all, emails. 

When realizing we’re trying to be scammed, most of us either block the sender or delete the message and move on with our day. But what exactly happens when we answer them? In my favorite Ted Talk by James Veitch, he does exactly that. 

Aside from the topic itself being attention grabbing, Veitch’s Ted Talk itself is magnifying in a way. He captivates the audience from the jump, sharing laughs and a few quips, never losing attention or interest. The information, while not the most scholarly or complex of a topic, is compelling. It is a topic that everyone is familiar with, but unique enough that it is memorable and fresh. In relation to his topic and information, it created a more relaxed atmosphere. It lacked the stern formality of a speech and made Veitch become approachable and relatable. The viewers listened to him, not because he was informative, but because he was understandable. 

The most effective part of his Ted Talk, however, was his delivery. His tone wasn’t flat, it carried emotion (that was easily reflected onto his face) to make it feel almost like it was story-telling which was emphasized with his arm movements. His facial expressions during certain moments emulated a more dramatic version of what it felt like in the moment of those emails. Especially his usage of pauses, it allowed him to create suspense for the audience, and to really play his jokes out in the most effective manner. 

If there is one takeaway I have from his Ted Talk, it is to be more comfortable with the audience. In a Ted Talk, information is more easily digested when the viewers see you as you, as one of them, and not someone who is just here to lecture for 10 minutes. My goal is to try and reflect his gestures and incorporation of emotions, especially since in my last speech, I feel as if I was really lacking in eye contact with the audience (since I admittedly stared at my presentation more than the people). If you have the time, I seriously recommend watching James Veitch’s Ted Talk, it was hilarious (thank you mom for the recommendation). 

Source:

• https://www.ted.com/talks/james_veitch_this_is_what_happens_when_you_reply_to_spam_email?language=en

Isn’t it disturbing that serial killers are household names? Names such as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, and Richard Ramirez are sure to be recognized by almost anyone you speak to, but why? 

This issue falls under the broad category of true crime which I will be discussing further in the future Unit 2 projects. True crime is one of the most sensationalized topics in the media, sometimes a bit too sensationalized. My focus will not just be on how the medium used to talk about serial killers has changed (ex: newspaper → Netflix shows) but also how through their sensationalism, the public’s view has also changed from fear to idolization. 

Turning Points #1: 1500s-1700s

I still need to do a lot more research on this topic, but from what I’ve picked up so far it was just early publications in the 1500s-1700s that ranged from pamphlets to ballads to books. It also didn’t quite have that uniformed sensationalist vibe to it yet, it differed from person to person whether it was presented dramatically, or spiritually, or even state propaganda, a very clear distinction from how the true crime media is presented today. I haven’t picked out any specific artifacts for this turning point yet, but I will definitely grab some examples from each (pamphlet, book, ballad). 

Turning Point #2: 1880-1900

The second turning point I’d pick was when newspapers were prime. I’m still picking and choosing which specific examples and artifacts will have the right details, but a specific example I’ll settle on for now is Jack the Ripper, one of the oldest serial killers and also very much shadowed in mystery. The main takeaway here is how Jack the Ripper was viewed at the time, and how he (but also could possibly be she no one really knows) was shown to the public that made them so memorable compared to earlier reports on true crime during the 1700s. The usage of newspapers will especially be a key feature.  

Turning Point #3: 1970-80

The third turning point would be around when Ted Bundy was active. He will be my main artifact for this turning point as a prime example of becoming completely sensationalized as well as almost revered due to his appearance on television. In comparison to Jack the Ripper or even just some of the early pamphlets on criminals, Ted Bundy and his exposure in television sort of cemented him as a household figure. Not only that, but his perception to the general public was completely mismatched with who he was— a monster. People were sending him love letters while families were mourning the losses of their daughters. How could such a drastic change happen? That is what I intend to explore. 

Turning Point #4: 2000s-current

Finally, the modern introduction of movies and film. I could go into Netflix or other popular streaming services or solely stay fixated on podcasts, but any of the modern routes are definitely a possibility to delve into. The show about Jeffrey Dahmer on Netflix happens to be the newest (that I’m aware of) which is a strong possibility to be used. Once again, like with Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer’s public perception in modern times has also become idolized. Not only that, but the show didn’t even compensate the victim’s families. They are broadcasting the horrific murder of their loved ones, but not for the sake of spreading awareness but to get attention and money. 

Overall, this focus shift from informing and warning the public of these killers to sensationalizing and profiting off the fame of serial killers is what I intend to explore while I’m researching for the upcoming projects. I’m open to any suggestions for possible routes or more artifacts to include in each turning point! I know this was a lot so thank you for taking the time to read all of it. 

Sources:

• https://daily.jstor.org/bloody-history-of-true-crime-genre/
• https://www.texasghosttour.com/the-history-of-true-crime-how-the-genre-has-evolved-over-time

Some Questions and Clarifications!

• In the outline on google docs, the outline was in the format of roman numerals! However upon repasting into the blog text, there is no way to add in roman numerals in the same way that was formatted before, so I left it how it is.
• I’m using the block method and I wasn’t sure if the four sets of A claims were per artifact (4 claims for the first, 4 four the second, 8 total) or if it was split between the artifacts (2 for the first and 2 for the second). Therefore, I stuck to the former and in case it was 2 and 2 instead of 4 and 4 I can get rid of some of the weaker points
• What can I do to make this essay more conversational? 
• I’m having trouble finding reception/context for the first artifact– is what I currently have enough? If not, what is recommended?  
• One of my biggest issues is trying to shorten things down. Any tips or suggestions on areas that can be condensed? 

Overview:

Similarities– Usage of dark colors, physical representation of a pile of cigarettes, white wording choice. 

Differences– ambiguity vs. representation of people, target audience, specific messages

1. 1.  Intro
      1. Attention-Getter: What does cigarette smoking mean to you? It may be hard now to imagine the appeal of cigarettes, yet for people 30-40 years ago, cigarettes were all the rage. 
      2. Identify Artifact: The World Health Organization reported steep inclines in cigarette smoking from the early to mid 1900s, with declining rates only following decades later. To combat this, the WHO released a series of posters to promote anti-smoking, and would continue to be a driving force behind the anti-smoking movement for years to come, including making publications delving into economic issues of smoking as well. 
      3. Thesis: From a poster in 1985 to a publication cover in 2023, both stand to represent a very prevalent simple message– smoking ruins lives. 
      4. Preview: Through the visual rhetoric lens and representation lens, I will not only reveal how and why these mediums are so effective, but re-emphasize the very real and heavy consequences these artifacts continue to remind viewers of. 

• First Set of Arguments (First Artifact) 

1. 1. Claim (1): The color choice in the poster inclines viewers with a smoking addiction to self-reflect and those without to empathize with the cause and take action. 
      1. Evidence: The poster is presented in black, white, and gray of various shading. In the bottom half of the poster lies an oval pile of cigarette buts with the underside of a pair of shoes sitting in the middle. At the very top of the poster lay words translated from Russian, “Even the best cigarettes can be your tomb…” 
      2. Reasoning: The color choice emphasizes the seriousness of the topic at hand. Especially the color black, which is strongly associated with death, and allows for the reader to stop and re-evaluate the impact of smoking on their life or the lives around them. 
   2. Claim (2): The angle of the shoes presented (soles) rather than a person or even the top of the shoes 
      1. Evidence: Sitting atop the pile of cigarettes lay a pair of shoes. Originally it gives off the impression that the shoes are on top of the pile, however, the view is of the bottom of the shoes, giving off the impression of being buried by the cigarettes. 
      2. Reasoning: The lack of indication over who exactly the shoes belong to push to a more inclusive audience. There is no discernment over age, gender, race, etc. This allows for more people to connect to the image, and either see themselves in it or someone else. Quite literally “picture yourself in someone else’s shoes”  
   3. Claim (3): Large pile of cigarettes emphasizing the damage of an accumulation of habit, not just one but a whole entombment. 
      1. Evidence: From the angle of the image, it is evident that the bottom of the shoes are surrounded by this large pile of cigarettes, meaning that there is an endless amount building up from where we can see. 
      2. Reasoning: It is easy for someone to forget that a single cigarette does so much damage. But when combined into a large pile like what’s pictured, it begins to become clearer just how much one adds into two, which turns into days and years and piles on piles of damage.
   4. Claim (4): White lettering of the caption, “Even the best cigarettes can be your tomb…” contribute to a highlighted point. 
      1. Evidence: The usage of white coloring to highlight parts of the caption of the poster draws the reader’s attention from the contrast of the background. 
      2. Reasoning: The color white in this case serves as not just a highlighter but as a representation of clarity. The color white is symbolic for certainty, and here it is to draw attention to the finality of the decision to smoke. 
2. Second Set of Arguments (Second Artifact)
   1. Claim (1): The usage of children appeals to the empathy in people and draws attention to the issue at hand. 
      1. Evidence: The publication cover includes not just one, but four different children who look to be a mix of frustrated, tired, and helpless in front of their bowls of cigarettes. 
      2. Reasoning: Using the representation of children is deliberate in focusing viewers emotion and alertness to the topic. When children are involved, it implicates a serious matter and issue which allows for viewers to feel compelled to help. → Further reasoning would contrast this to previous artifact in which no representation focuses on a different type of audience
   2. Claim (2): The inclusion of bowls of cigarettes similarly help to visualize the disgust and issue with the increase in usage of cigarettes. 
      1. Evidence: The previous artifact showed a pile of cigarette butts while the second artifact shows bowls of cigarettes and smoke, almost as if it were a substitute for cereal for these children. 
      2. Reasoning: Seeing children be left with nothing but cigarettes as food not only helps to re-evaluate personal decisions (if children shouldn’t put this into their body why should I) but to understand that buying cigarettes furthers the tobacco plant industry which are replacing crops for actual food for these kids. 
   3. Claim (3): Also similar to the previous artifact, the dark colors are heavily condensed on the clothing of the children. 
      1. Evidence: While slightly different, there are a lot of generally dark colors used for the clothing of the children, with another dark background to set the tone of the message. 
      2. Reasoning: While not completely black and white like the previous artifact, the continual inclusion of dark colors to symbolize seriousness and imply danger are effectively reused here. 
   4. Claim (4): White wording once again points to an emphasis on the message. 
      1. Evidence: The white wording reads “World No Tobacco Day 2023 / Grow food, not tobacco.” 
      2. Reasoning: The message itself is not directly attacking just cigarettes like the previous artifact did, but still in the realm of smoking usage. The white words once again stand out from the dark background like the previous artifact, and while both are different messages, the overall effect of stopping and re-evaluating what to do moving forward still occur. 
3. Conclusion
   1. Restate thesis: While in two different time periods and for slightly different focuses, both the 1985 poster and 2023 publication cover serve as important mediums to promote the change of a healthier lifestyle in favor for not only self, but for others as well.
   2. Why this act of civic engagement matters: Ultimately, there were multiple differences between these two artifacts, with the first focusing more on the self-implications of smoking and the second on the damaging effects to communities with the rise in tobacco products. Yet in their differences, there are similarities– both working to better the lives of people caught in the tumultuous whirlwind of smoking. This awareness that continues to spread today is not only shown to be necessary, but life-changing.

For my second civic artifact, I chose the image presented above. On World No Tobacco Day (May 31 2023), the World Health Organization (WHO) released this publication with this picture as the cover. For lenses that I will be using, I will stick to the two previous ones that I had mentioned: visual rhetoric and representation lens. 

To recap the visual rhetoric of the previous artifact, the first artifact analyzed the usage of color, image placement, and emphasis of the pile of cigarette butts. In the second artifact, I will compare that usage of color to the colors of the clothing the children are wearing, the placement of the wording, and the pile of cigarettes in front of them. 

For the representation lens, I covered in the first artifact how the ambiguous nature of the soles of shoes led to the universal connection to the poster. In the second artifact, I will recognize the representation and usage of children as opposed to the non-specific subject such as shoes. The point that I want to make here is that both appeal emotionally, while one is aimed at self-placement while the other is empathy towards others. 

Differences in each lens overall include the usage of children versus ambiguity, the placement of the cigarettes, the slogan choices, and the overall message between the two. To elaborate on that last bit, one is toward changing one’s own lifestyle while the other is changing other’s lifestyles in favor of the less fortunate (children). 

These similarities and differences both matter in the context that they both appeal to the overarching theme of anti-smoking, yet approach the matter differently. Both seemingly leave lasting impressions to lead to the same cause, but with different motivations behind them. 

(PS: Just as clarification, the next RCL post will be the post that will include the 2-2.5 page draft! This is just to introduce the next artifact and rough points). 

Source: 

• https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240073937
• https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/368076/9789240073937-eng.pdf?sequence=1

I. Intro
A. Attention-Getter: What does cigarette smoking mean to you? I hardly believe that the majority of people today look at cigarette smoking in a positive light. But how about people 30-40 years ago?
B. Identify Artifact: According to the World Health Organization, cigarette smoking had reached a steep incline from the early to mid 1900s, and it wouldn’t be until a couple decades later when it would start to decline. People living during this time likely had the notion that smoking was pretty much expected, as family, friends, coworkers, and others had probably also smoked. In order to combat this rise, the World Health Organization released a multitude of posters to spread awareness against the usage of cigarettes— one of which I will focus on in depth.
C. Thesis: Published in 1985 for the Russian people, this artifact serves to present viewers with an ultimatum: continue the habit and lead to the end of a life, or take the stand and fight for the end of addiction.
D. Preview: Through the visual rhetoric lens and representation lens, I will not only reveal how and why this poster was so effective, but re-emphasize the very real and heavy consequence that this artifact continues to remind viewers of.

II. First Set of Arguments
A. Claim: The anti smoking poster inclines viewers with a smoking addiction to self-reflect and those without to empathize with the cause and take action.
1. Evidence: The poster is presented in black, white, and gray of various shading. In the bottom half of the poster lies an oval pile of cigarette buts with the underside of a pair of shoes sitting in the middle. At the very top of the poster lay words translated from Russian, “Even the best cigarettes can be your tomb…”
2. Reasoning: The color choice emphasizes the seriousness of the topic at hand. Especially the color black, which is strongly associated with death, and allows for the reader to stop and re-evaluate the impact of smoking on their life or the lives around them. The usage of the color white also makes the cigarettes pop out from the otherwise dark poster, highlighting the subject at hand and keeping the image and thought of the source problem in the minds of the viewer.

Translated from Russian, the words on this poster read, “Even the best cigarettes can be your tomb…” Created in 1985 by the World Health Organization for distribution in Russia, this poster shows a pair of shoes which extend above a pile of cigarette butts. While lacking in color and the presence of many objects, it effectively fills the viewer with a sense of dread. The question is why?

This picture can be broken down using a visual rhetoric lens as well as a representation lens. To start, the visual rhetoric lens emphasizes the grayscale shade, view of the bottom of the shoes, and the highlighted words. The grayscale sets the overall tone of the poster, the dullness of it all recreating the sense of depression and death. The black background especially adds to the effect, forcing the viewer to only look at the words and the image and nothing else. 

As for the angle of viewing from the shoes, it enables the viewer to find a connection to the poster no matter what age, gender, or race. Looking at the soles from underneath the shoes, it is harder to even determine what kind of shoe it is. This also works in hand with the representation lens. By lacking representation of any specific person, it inversely allows for representation of all. 

Finally, the elephant in the room (or poster), the cigarette butts. The only other explanation for the source of this message. For a smoker, it’s easy to forget that a single cigarette does so much damage. But when combined into a large pile like what’s pictured, it begins to become clearer how much damage they deal on your life. 

This picture heavily reminds me of the phrase “one-foot in the grave.” Combined with the text translation provided, that connection was meant to be purposeful. In a sense, it almost looks like the cigarette pile is a bridge or a path for these shoes and it’s nearing the end. End of life, but also in a better turn, and end to addiction and to the ruin of lives. 

Sources: 

• https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/spotlight/vc/catalog?f%5Bexhibit_tags%5D%5B%5D=antismoking
• https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/spotlight/vc/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101584655X54-img

Chances are you’ve seen this picture before in a US History class sometime in high school. But even if you haven’t, most can understand the general sentiment the image portrays. From a general perspective, one may notice the hardened face of a woman keeping her emotions at bay for the sake of the two children at her side, the only thing betraying her face being worry. Historical context isn’t even really needed for the general message, that this woman is not only worried but seemingly hopeless. 

So what exactly is going on in this photo? To understand we need to go back to the 1900s, during the Great Depression. Specifically the era of the Dust Bowl, when thousands of Americans were displaced, living in poverty and starving. In the southern plains, drought had ravaged the land with high winds picking up the dust from the ground, rendering the failure of crops and the death of livestock. Amidst all of this chaos lay the poor families that couldn’t afford to move anywhere, and without moving, were left with little to no food. Then comes photographer Dorothea Lange, capturing the iconic shot of a mother named Florence Owens Thompson. The picture became published in the San Francisco News and widely reprinted and reproduced on magazine covers, postage stamps, and others. 

Now knowing the historical context, the question becomes one of why. Why did this image impact the American public so heavily? What caused Thompson’s face to be reproduced on the covers of magazines? Analyzing this image using ethos, logos, and pathos, it can be concluded the impacts lie in a few simple factors.

For one, the usage of children definitely relates and draws the attention of many adults. This is a struggling mother, and thus a struggling family, all of which is a core value in American society. Another factor lies in the usage of black and white. While colored photographs didn’t exist back then, it still contributes to the overall effect of the image. If this family had been photographed in color, it very well could not have been as effective, especially if there was the usage of bright colors that typically signal positivity (like the color yellow) as opposed to black and gray, which is more somber. Finally, the posing of the woman relates to distress. These children are curled up into her side, while the only thing she can do to comfort them is to lend a steady shoulder. Her overall impasse and distant body language reveals her inner worry, defaulting to being a strong front for these kids in a time of distress.

From this perspective, it is easy to see how this image can front the drive to help people in need during the Dust Bowl. But further than that, it also empowers the people who are being affected by the Dust Bowl as well. With the publicity that it had brought, this woman was representing them, showing them that the only thing they can do during this hard time is to stick together, to stay strong, and to hold onto whatever is left of their lives in the fight to survive.

Sources:

• https://www.history.com/news/migrant-mother-new-deal-great-depression
• https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/dust-bowl