September 2018 – Grace Wang RCL

RCL: Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rough Draft & Civic Artifact Speech Outline (updated)

September 26, 2018 Grace WangLeave a comment

Guns often carry very divergent connotations for different people. Some immediately gravitate towards guns being lethal killing machines while others view them as mechanisms of self-defense. These contrasting perspectives are frequently showcased in the form of compelling advertisements that influence millions of viewers. The Moms Demand Action organization released an impactful anti-gun advertisement after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, highlighting the irony of the legality of assault weapons. On the other hand, the National Rifle Association published an advertisement after Obama’s 2013 State of the Union speech emphasizing the use of guns for protection in homes. Though these two ads communicate two completely different messages, they both employ pathos, various opportunities of Kairos, and commonplaces to effectively persuade their audiences.

The main objective of these advertisements is to strike at emotions in order to plant a seed of both empathy and rage in the audience. Moms Demand Action’s advertisement places two children side by side; one holding a gun and another holding a Kinder Egg. In comparing the two objects, it’s evident that they’re seeking to emphasize the irony of the banned egg and the legal assault weapon. This ironic graphic is meant to induce anger in the audience, as it’s simply illogical to ban such a seemingly harmless object while legalizing a deadly weapon. This anger is then supposedly translated into a sense of civic responsibility, which was the intended goal of the creators. The tactic of utilizing children in the advertisement is meant to produce a feeling of compassion which then makes the audience feel guilt. The school backdrop serves as a reminder of all the school shootings which invokes feelings of devastation. Furthermore, the expressionless faces that the children carry are meant to seep into the audience’s minds as despair and almost convey a call for help. The dark color scheme in the advertisement also radiates a tone of somberness and gloom which plays a role in making the audience feel empathy. Overall, pathos plays an essential role in this advertisement because it makes the audience more vulnerable and susceptible to agreeing with the message that they were trying to convey.

Similarly, the NRA released an ad that involved the concept of protecting family and children. The two silhouettes standing outside the house represent intruders that are looking to impose harm on the family inside. The caption in the advertisement relays the importance of guns in such a situation as a means of self-defense and protection. These details present an emotional appeal to the audience because it forces the audience to think about the what-ifs in a home invasion situation which then prompts feelings of fear. This feeling of fear urges the audience to believe that they need these guns to protect their families, which is clearly one of the top priorities for most people. While still using a similar emotional appeal, the NRA manages to completely turn their argument around to rally support for guns.

One crucial aspect that these advertisements successfully take advantage of is Kairos. Moms Demand Action released their ad just after the Sandy Hook Shooting, which was a crucial and pressing time for America. Tensions around gun control were high and many supporters of guns suddenly became apprehensive. Revealing this ad in this specific pocket of time was strategic because now, the issue is both relevant and urgent. After such a tragic event, the audience is still in shock and the creators of the ad almost use this state of mind to manipulate them. If this ad were to come out at a different time in which tension was not as strong, the reactions towards it would not have been the same and the ad wouldn’t have worked as effectively. The environment and stress that the Sandy Hook shooting created allowed for this ad to present itself as more significant because the audience is forced to consider the consequences of the recent shooting. Kairos was important in this situation because it makes the argument significantly more influential by capturing the audience’s attention in a gripping way.

In the year 2013, Obama declared in his State of the Union speech that he would take action to prevent gun violence and mass shootings. This action involved the banning of high-capacity magazines in guns, which the NRA was not pleased with. Shortly after his speech, the NRA released the ad, criticizing Obama and the policies that he implemented. The implicit argument that the advertisement made was attacking Obama’s hypocrisy, asserting that it was unjust that the president and his family were protected with high-level security while he’s limiting the protection for American families at home. This point would be effective right after Obama’s speech because the audience would be able to relate to the advertisement in a way that causes them to band together to fight for justice. The people of America come together best they’re fighting against something they’re displeased with. This was one of those times.

Both ads portray similar civic commonplaces that all Americans share. Both ads include graphics of children and family. Family life and raising children are some of the most common “themes” in America. It’s essentially a tradition for people to find a home to settle down in and raise kids. These commonplaces are used strategically to capture the attention of Americans who share the same values of family. It also emphasizes that even in such a common household, anything can happen. In any school, anything can happen. The commonplaces displayed in these ads make them more relatable and allow the audience to be more engaged.

The call for a shift in gun culture is elevated in both ads. Though they may have contradictory arguments, they both use emotional appeal, prior events, and relatable graphics to accentuate their positions. Both impact the audience powerfully in order to obtain a positive response and fruitful results.

Speech Outline:

Introduction: Which would you rather have in the hands of your child? A Kinder Egg or a gun? Hard decision, right? (Some attention capturing statement/question)

Explanation: Explain the advertisement itself and the message that the ad encourages.

Kairos: Explain the event that prompted the ad and why it was effective/important. How did Kairos play a role in persuading the audience?

Pathos: How does this ad make the audience feel and why is it important/effective that they feel this way? How do these feelings make the creator’s message stand out more?

Commonplaces/Civic life: Talk about different commonplaces the ad presents. How is this ad calling citizens to action? How does it place a sense of civic duty on the audience? How do these capture the audience’s attention further?

Conclusion

Passion Blog: LA

September 25, 2018 Grace Wang2 Comments

Los Angeles is a place full of things to do, sights to see, and people to meet. It’s where people travel to in order to fulfill their lifelong dreams and to pursue their careers. If time and money didn’t exist, LA is somewhere I would want to travel to. I’ve never been to California, so I have a list of things to do and eat in my back pocket. Here are just a few of them:

If you’ve ever seen the movie Lala Land, you’d know that one of the most iconic scenes with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling would be when they were dancing in the Griffith Observatory Planetarium. The Griffith Observatory is one of the place that I would want to visit in Los Angeles. Along with the planetarium where they offer amazing shows, you can also look at the stars through public telescopes, attend sunset walks, and other super exciting activities. I’m one to appreciate a good view and this would be the perfect place for that, especially with the backdrop of the entire city at night.

One of the more unknown places in LA is the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. I’ve seen photos of this garden online and it looks spectacular. Not only does it incorporate different cultures into different part of the garden, but the library itself is beautiful. With the warm weather in LA, I could probably spend hours at this garden.

You know I can’t travel somewhere without eating good food. One of LA’s most famous food markets is Smorgasburg. It opens every Sunday for 6 hours and tons of food vendors come out to promote their brands. A blend of different cultures and good food. What more could I ask for? They have everything from shaved ice, to donuts, to tacos. You’ll find all the trendiest foods here.

One last thing I’d want to experience is the glass slide in the U.S. Bank Tower. The Skyslide is a slide that allows you to soar above LA. I’ve seen videos of this slide online and it looks absolutely thrilling. I’m an adrenaline junkie and I love heights, so this would be perfect for me. There aren’t a lot of experiences like this one which is why it intrigues me so much.

Do any of these things interest you?

Passion Blog: Musical Instruments

September 19, 2018 Grace Wang3 Comments

Hey guys! This week on Worry Free I will be talking about different musical instruments (and their histories) I would want to learn if time and money did not matter. There are a handful of “hidden” instruments that are incorporated into different cultures that are not as commonly seen as others, so I will be talking about some of those as well!

The first instrument I would want to learn is the “Guzheng” which is primarily played in Asian cultures. To me, this instrument is much like a horizontal harp. It may sound quite choppy at first, but when there is a flow of continuous notes, the melody is quite captivating. This instrument was first introduced in China and it later spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other Asian countries. With time, people began to add more and more strings to the instrument and now, it currently has 21 strings. Though it could be very complicated to learn, I think mastering this instrument would ultimately be very rewarding. It is such a unique instrument that not many people can play, so it would be cool to be able to play it!

You have probably seen a “Concertina” in The Lady and the Tramp in the scene where they are eating spaghetti and meatballs, which gives it an Italian vibe, but the Concertina actually originated in Germany and England. Though not quite the same as an Accordion, it is similar in terms of structure. An accordion can play several chords whereas a Concertina involves individual buttons that play individual notes. With such flexibility and such an interesting appearance, this instrument looks like it would be fun to learn.

The piano is a common instrument, but have you heard of the thumb piano? The “Kalimba” originated in Africa and it is commonly known as a thumb piano because it essentially works the same way in which a piano works, it is just significantly smaller, and you only use your thumbs. It is an instrument that is usually used in traditional celebrations. It’s made from very raw materials such as wood, bamboo, and some different metals. Though it looks like a very simple instrument, it can create a range of different notes and melodies, just like a piano. Because I know how to play piano, this instrument intrigues me. The concept is similar, yet they’re still so different.

One more instrument I’d like to learn is the drums. Not as unique as the other ones I’ve named so far but definitely doesn’t fall short in terms of musicality and rhythm. The drums are just so different from every other type of instrument because even though they don’t involve any type of musical note, they’re the basis of almost any song you’ll ever hear. The drums are actually one of the oldest instruments. They’ve been around ever since about 6000 BC. Learning the drums would be a good way to relieve stress as well as a good way to challenge my sense of rhythm.

Thanks for reading! What’s an instrument you’d like to learn?

Rhetorical Analysis Intro Draft

September 19, 2018September 25, 2018 Grace Wang2 Comments

RCL: Civic Artifact Speech Brief Outline

September 12, 2018 Grace Wang3 Comments

Introduction (30 seconds): Which would you rather have in the hands of your child? A Kinder Egg or a gun? Hard decision, right? (Attention capturing statement/question)

Explanation (1-2min): Explain the advertisement itself and the message that the ad encourages.

Kairos/Rhetorical/Commonplaces/Civic life (2-3 min): Explain the role that all these play in the ad along with different aspects of rhetorical devices. How do these things elevate the message of the ad itself? Why is this ad effective towards its audience? How is this ad calling citizens to action? How does it place a sense of civic duty on the audience?

Passion Blog: Foreign Foods

September 12, 2018 Grace Wang2 Comments

Hey guys! This week’s Worry Free blog will be centered around different meals in different countries. If I didn’t have to worry about time or money, something I would want to try is to try traditional meals in different countries. Let’s get started.

India: Masala Dosa

This looks extremely delicious because it has a thin crepe-like bread along with other sides that you can dip it in. Anything bread-like is automatically something that I would find delicious. The different sides/dips that can come on the side include Chutney sauce and Sambar. There’s a lot of variety and flexibility that can come with this dish, so if I ever get the chance to visit South India, I’ll be on the lookout for this.

Japan: Sushi

Believe it or not, I’ve never had real sushi in my life. If I were to go to Japan, fresh sushi made by a real sushi chef is hands down a must. The sushi that many restaurants serve include Salmon, Tuna, Yellowtail, and many more. Tons of options and flavors to choose from.

Middle East: Fattoush

This looks like the better version of the American salad. With tons of fresh vegetables and leaves, this traditional middle eastern salad is different because it has a flatbread base. I could use some more healthy foods like this in my diet!

England: A Full English Breakfast

Though this breakfast has some similar aspects to an American breakfast, there’s a lot more diversity in terms of sweet vs. salty. An English breakfast typically contains sausage, bacon, sweet beans, eggs, and mushrooms. Typically, this meal is paired with a coffee or tea. Sure, it may sound typical, but I hear that it’s one of the best things in England you can ever have.

Uganda: Luwombo

I found this meal interesting because it’s served in bowl-shaped banana leaves. Drawing a parallel to Asian cuisine, there’s a food called glutinous rice that’s also wrapped in bamboo leaves. Anyway, Luwombo is essentially a stew that can have any type of meat or fish. There are steamed vegetables in the soup as well. A very homey meal, something that I would crave on a cold winter day.

Vietnam: Banh Xeo

This crispy pancake is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings in that it’s both salty and sweet. The egg pancake on the outside is made of rice flour and coconut milk giving it a slight hint of sweetness. Inside, you can find different arrangements of vegetables and meat. There is also a special sauce that you can dip it in that tops it all off. I’ve had this in the U.S. but I know it can’t compare to if I were to have it in Vietnam!

If you didn’t have to worry about time or money, where would you travel to and what meal would you like to have?

Passion Blog: JiuFen

September 5, 2018September 5, 2018 Grace Wang3 Comments

Hey guys! Today we’ll be diving deeper into the cultural aspects of Taiwan. If time and money weren’t an issue, here’s what you would find me doing:

In the north part of Taiwan, there’s a place called JiuFen which is famously known as an “old street” or “old village” showcasing some of the greatest characteristics of Taiwan. As a famous tourist spot, there are tons of people here all the time. Here, you can walk up and down alleyways discovering different foods, traditions, and so much more. Take a look!

This photo shows JiuFen at night, with lit lanterns running alongside the outskirts of the alleyway. These lanterns can be considered one of the most traditional things that you see in Chinese culture. They can represent prosperity and wealth.

This beautiful teahouse is also located in JiuFen and is a place where many people go to drink tea or relax. It was inspired by the famous bathhouse in the movie Spirited Away. Here you’ll find tons of snacks, drinks, and of course, people. It’s beautiful in both the day and nighttime so come check it out!

One of the most famous traditions that take place in JiuFen is the Sky Lantern Festival. It usually takes place early in the year and is a beautiful event. Usually, people write wishes and special messages on each side of the paper lanterns and they release them into the sky in hopes of their wishes coming true. It’s a common belief in Taiwan that if you release these lanterns into the sky, it’ll reach the heavens above. Around the venue of the event, you can find many shops that sell mini lanterns as souvenirs as well.

Driving a couple miles from JiuFen, you’ll see this beautiful sightseeing place known as the “Golden Waterfall”. It’s known as the Golden Waterfall because the color of the rocks causes the water to look a golden color. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and greenery, this is a definite must when visiting. The pictures will be great to look back on.

Lastly, if you happen to be able to walk all the way up the alleyway, you’ll reach a point where you can look down at all the houses below you. The elevation, as JiuFen is already very high, gives you a great vantage point of the mountains and olden roofs. A lot of these houses give off a rustic vibe, which can result in beautiful photos.

Out of all these things, which one seems most appealing to you?

Kairos: Civic Artifact

September 5, 2018 Grace Wang3 Comments

The opportunity for rhetoric in relation to gun violence always presents itself in rather problematic times. Generally, topics pertaining to guns and gun violence are often seen in the news following a tragedy such as some type of mass shooting. This specific advertisement was put out shortly after the Sandy Hook school shooting in December of 2012. 26 deaths total. Evidently the timing of this advertisement offers a mood of tension and conflict. In the event of such a dreadful happening, the creators of this ad took advantage of such timing to emphasize their argument and to make the issue seem more pressing. The audience is already apprehensive because of the prior event, so in coming out with this ad, it elevates the need for a shift in the gun culture.

Kairos plays a huge role in this ad because now, people are more aware of an issue that needs a solution. Because guns are killing children and because they pose a threat to humans, it’s a very current and relevant problem. In addition, because the event was so recent, the audience is more susceptible to the ad as feelings of sympathy and sadness are very new. The creators of the ad know how to take advantage of the audience’s emotional state by using the event to practically manipulate them. This civic artifact was very powerful because it presents itself in a time frame that captures the audience’s attention in a very specific way. If this ad were to come out at a different time in which tension was not as strong, the reactions towards it would definitely be very different.

The environment and stress that the Sandy Hook shooting created allowed for this ad to present itself as more significant because the audience is forced to consider the consequences of the recent shooting. Kairos is important in this situation because it makes the argument significantly more influential.