Monthly Archives: February 2014

A Mountain of Flavor

Summer temperatures in Taiwan can be described by many as “hot”, but for me that would be a litotes.  I don’t even like describing the summer heat in Taiwan because thinking about it just gives me sweaty hands and a horrible heat-headache.  The heat on the island of Taiwan is unlike any other: humidity dominates people from the north to the south.  Large amounts of sporadic rainfall help contribute to the unbearable heat that is felt by the Taiwanese people.  Honestly, I would much rather deal with the heat in a desert than try and deal with the heat and humidity of Taiwan.  Luckily, one dessert (not to be confused with desert) in Taiwan makes for the perfect cold treat, a shaved ice dessert called Baobing.

Baobing was invented in Taiwan and has been eaten as early as 7th century AD.  The dessert consists of large amounts of ice shavings that are placed on a plate, ground by a machine, and then topped off with a variety of choices such as fruit, chocolate, ice cream, juicy red beans, sweetened condensed milk, and many others!  My first experience eating Baobing was at a very young age (an age in which I complained about the heat every second of the day) and I could not believe the instant chilling effect that the dessert had on me.  The very thinly shaved ice creates a special light, flaky, and delicate texture that melts in your mouth.  The visual appeal sometimes caused me to feel bad about even eating the dessert.  Colors of every kind can be blended into a beautiful work of art that looks like a mountain of goodness.  It is rare for someone to not enjoy this dessert due to the large selection of flavors available to the consumer.  Baobing is one of many treats offered at Taiwan’s signature night markets.  At some Baobing restaurants, there are lines that one must wait in for upwards to an hour to get one’s hands on Baobing.

Just like many other Taiwanese foods, Baobing has become a trademark of Taiwan.  The popularity of the dessert has caused several chains of Baobing shaved ice shops to open in the west coast, especially in Los Angeles.  Only one restaurant in Philadelphia’s Chinatown called Penang makes Baobing on the east coast (that I can recall).  The only other way to get Baobing would be to try and make it yourself, which is somewhat difficult since a special machine is needed to shave the ice very finely.

The comparison between Baobing and regular iced desserts like ice cream, water ice, and gelato is undeniably… no contest.  Baobing wins by a long shot.  The amount of effort put into making Baobing alone grants it more prestige than its counterparts.  This sounds like major bias, but if you ever decide to travel and happen to see Baobing at a shop, try it out for yourself.  Forget about the number of calories consumed in your day and relax, take out your spoon, bring out your inner child, and bask in the glory of this Taiwanese dessert.  Baobing won’t let you down.

Draft: Paper 2

Americans are exposed to types of media that have major impacts on our lives: politically, socially, and economically.  Since a medium has a direct effect on the way Americans live, we must pay attention to forms of media presented to us in newspapers, television networks, on the Internet, and on the radio.  As a viewer, it is our job to determine whether or not the news are slanted in favor of the left or right (more liberal or conservative) and decide if the news are even deemed to be valid.  Media outlets achieve this biased representation of reporting through the application of rhetoric.  Two media networks, CNN and Fox News have recently covered the George Washington Bridge scandal that has become particularly detrimental to a government official, Governor Chris Christie; each story differs drastically in bias and rhetorical usage.  The details of the event are skewed in an effort to lessen or heighten the importance of the scandal and influence the audience in varied political directions through the reporters’ use of quotes by Christie, connotations from word choice, and additional videos or images publicized.

Generally speaking, reporters glean information such as quotes as soon as an event comes to light, but the selection of quotes and analysis of information associated with the news article may vary tremendously depending on which media outlet covers the story.  In the case of CNN, the reporter appears indifferent and objective by stating that Christie was “embarrassed and humiliated” by the “abject stupidity” of the perpetrators who caused lane closure.  This quote is meant to depict how Governor Christie tried to empathize with the people of New Jersey and portray himself as a victim just like those who had been stuck in traffic on the George Washington Bridge.  This impartial representation of Governor Christie is consistent during the course of the entire article.  Facts are offered that slander Governor Christie, but are critical to the event’s importance such as car accidents, a death of a heart attack victim in an ambulance that was stuck on the bridge, and the delay of much needed emergency medical services for four days.

In contrast, Fox News barely covers the topic of the George Washington Bridge lane closures at all.  Fox News offers a superficial description of the event and lessens the impact of the lane closures.  The report claims that Christie expressed regret and sadness for those affected as Fox quotes, “This administration and this Legislature will not allow the work that needs to be done to improve the people’s lives of New Jersey to be delayed for any reason.”  Fox News attempts to defend Governor Chris Christie by depicting him as a man of the people and a man of his word.  The viewer of this Fox News article would believe that Christie really had no involvement with the lane closures that were used as retribution against Fort Lee’s mayor who had failed to endorse Christie during the mayoral campaign.  Contributions by the New Jersey governor are even mentioned to support Christie’s ethos.  The reporter cites, “Christie successfully overhauled century-old teacher tenure rules, essentially eliminating lifetime job protections. “which further upholds Christie’s image as a positive force.  By including the positive detail at the end of the article, Fox News intends to convince the viewer a final time that Christie is a good-hearted leader of New Jersey who is not guilty of the supposed accusations against him.

Furthermore, word choice plays a crucial role since words set the tone for the rest of the article.  To start out, CNN highlights the importance of the scandal with the article’s title: “Chris Christie bridge scandal: a primer.”  By calling the scandal a primer, CNN makes clear that the event on the George Washington Bridge is of utmost importance in news.  Immediate attention should be given to this article and this is effectively done in the title by putting the words, “a primer” at the end.  CNN describes how Christie is often characterized as a “bully” and especially vitriolic when it comes to those who criticize him.  The biting words that label Christie have a definite influence on the viewpoints held by viewers after reading the article.  These words remain exclusively connected to Governor Christie and his method of governing.  CNN explicitly relates the word choice to the possibility that Christie is partially responsible for the bridge scandal.

In comparison, the word choice of Fox News sets a repentant, apologetic, and conciliatory tone that is light in feeling.  The title of the Fox News article: “Christie pushes back amid probes into bridge scandal” suggests that Governor Christie is on the defensive and is fighting back with support.  By placing the words “pushes back” in the title, Christie is actively battling the consequences that have come from the bridge lane closures including pressure from Democrats, the townspeople of Fort Lee, and critics in the media. He whole-heartedly condemns those in his administration whom allowed the chaos on the bridge to happen.  A sense of sincerity can be identified as Fox quotes Christie, “What has occurred does not define us or out state.”  Fox News continues to illustrate Chris Christie as an honorable governor who has made profound changes to the state’s government management and policies.

Moreover, the supporting videos or images on the site help define the situation in both the objective and prejudiced viewpoints.  CNN posted a four-minute video showing Christie apologizing at the podium of the Statehouse.  This allows the viewer to detect for oneself whether or not Christie had any knowledge or involvement to the lane closures like what he claims to be true.  Body language and the intonations of his voice permit the viewers of CNN’s website to determine this for themselves.  The objectivity of CNN gives credence to the article and adds intrinsic value to the medium.

On the other hand, Fox News included a single image of the governor at the podium of the Statehouse with his hands gestured out.  Through the omission of video, viewers are left with little to no additional information that can be ascertained to make a judgment on Christie.  This rhetorical approach ensures that the already defamed status of the governor does not get subjected to more discontentment and outrage among opponents.  It is without a doubt that Fox News sides with Christie on the situation in hopes that he will be acquitted of all involvement or knowledge of the bridge scandal.

To sum up, the deconstruction of both CNN and Fox News articles demonstrates how Governor Chris Christie’s bridge scandal has been reported with two variations of bias.  CNN approaches the report with more objectivity, but has a slight bias against Christie whereas Fox News unwaveringly backs the idea of innocence for Christie.  Political siding in media has caused both positives and negatives for viewers of media.  Ultimately, it is up to the audience to decide which media sources are more trustworthy and which sources are unreliable.  Both CNN and Fox News successfully recount the bridge scandal with bias and influence the audience in different political directions through the articles’ use of quotes by Christie, connotations from word choice, and additional videos or images publicized.

 

 

Revised Paper 1

Each year companies attempt to outdo one another in front of millions of television viewers nationwide for the big game: the Super Bowl.  The main goal for these companies, to conjure up emotions (preferably the ones associated with spending money on their products), can be successfully or unsuccessfully attained.  For successful commercials, the investment of around four million dollars on a thirty second slot during the Super Bowl can make a crucial impact on a company’s turnaround.  On the contrary, unsuccessful commercials that leave television viewers scratching their heads can be detrimental to the company; members of the advertising team may very well lose their jobs.  Ram’s recent commercial about farmers in the 2014 Super Bowl is a prime example of a successful commercial.  By evoking pathos in the American audience through the farmer’s work ethic, depicting the culture of American patriotism, and further utilizing rhetorical devices in the commercial, Ram magnificently displays how Americans can possess the same attributes of the American farmer from purchasing Ram trucks.

To begin with, the Ram commercial effectively evokes pathos in the American audience in a variety of ways.  As the commercial starts, a single cow in the field is displayed on the television screen and there is no other background noise.  This creates a serious tone that carries on through the entire commercial.  Members of audiences nationwide are immediately drawn to this seemingly unrelated commercial. One narrator begins to describe what the farmer must attend to on the farm over the course of his entire life.  An array of images of farmers are cycled through while the narrator continues to detail the hardships of farmers: “they get up before dawn, milk the cows, work all day in the fields, and milk cows again” among many other things.  As Jay Heinrichs described in his book, Thank You For Arguing, “emotions actually come from belief, he said–about what we value, what we think we know, and what we expect.”  After the commercial ends, many speak of the gripping emotional responses experienced from the two-minute commercial.  The success of the commercial is undeniable as people mention the emotional response triggered from the display of the farmers’ dedication, perseverance, and reliability underlined in the commercial.

In addition to evoking pathos, the Ram commercial greatly depicts the culture of American patriotism in all its greatness.  Ram’s advertising team emphasizes the importance of America’s glory and the decorum with which Americans carry themselves.  A frozen shot of an American flag in a windowsill during winter allows for Americans to reflect upon what they have done so far in life and what they will achieve in the future.  The life of an American farmer is intended to represent the average American whom must work tirelessly for a living and perseveres despite the obstacles that get in the way.  The commercial suggests that by purchasing a Ram truck, one may take pride in American patriotism and be a supporter of America’s manufacturing industry as well as American jobs.  Ram greatly appeals to the commonplace that is the feeling of national pride of Americans.

Furthermore, the Ram commercial further utilizes rhetorical devices to continue to make its point about the connection between American farmers and everyday Americans.  The colorful visual and auditory imagery bolster the surreal effect of the commercial within the viewers.  Bright colors of the season bring about a blissful mood, which represent a successful season for crops for farmers.  Images of shadowy clouds and gloomy weather are similarly presented as a notice to people that harvests are not always plentiful.  Despite this seemingly daunting and tedious task of working non-stop toward an unpredictable outcome, farmers assiduously push themselves to help provide for their families.  A picture of a family at dinner praying appears as the narrator states, “someone who bales the family together with a soft, strong bond of sharing together.”  The connotation of these words exhibit an indomitable intensity for love and time spent laughing and enjoying the company of each other.  The values of a farmer and the farmer’s family are “baled” or packaged just like the hay on a farm.

The farmer is a symbol of America’s average worker: kind-hearted, persistent, and loyal to all those he or she interacts with in life.  Ram excellently invested money to promote its line of trucks in this Super Bowl commercial that moved the hearts of an entire nation.  It is evident that living a satisfying life is possible regardless of what one may pursue.  As Americans, we have the opportunity to accomplish an infinite number of goals.  As the commercial states in the end, “To the farmer in all of us”, Ram masterfully ties the connection between the life of a farmer to the life of an average American by evoking pathos in the American audience through the farmer’s work ethic, depicting the culture of American patriotism, and further utilizing rhetorical devices in the commercial.  The farmer is in all of us, knowingly or unknowingly.

 

Works Cited

Heinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer       Simpson Can Teach Us about the Art of Persuasion. New York: Three Rivers, 2013. Print.

Outline for Paper 2

Introduction:

 In the introduction, I plan on drawing in the audience by describing media biases that are apparent in newspapers, TV, and online.  I will then describe how media outlets tend to edit stories towards their intended viewers’ opinions — conservative or liberal– to support or bash a politician.  I will introduce the story that I have selected, the shutdown of the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey that was reported by Fox News and CNN in my thesis and describe the connotations associated with the word choice utilized by both media and additional rhetoric involved.

Body:

In the body, I will identify and compare the connotations/rhetorical similarities and differences in the two stories.  CNN has a more liberal side to the story compared to Fox News and its conservative side that wants to lessen the importance of the bridge closure.  The ethos, logos, and pathos in the media’s talking points will be addressed as well as the syntax and commonplaces brought to life in each story.

Conclusion:

In the conclusion, I will restate my thesis in a different way and show how my argument is valid based off of the content from my body paragraphs.  I will represent the positives and negatives in media bias and show how both liberal and conservative media can be deconstructed to allow an individual to make a clearer story *and distinct one* based off of his or her valued judgment.

Links:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/14/christie-pushes-back-amid-probes-into-bridge-scandal/

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/politics/chris-christie-bridge-primer/

Bubbly Goodness

It became a hit from the start in Taiwan and has migrated over to the United States at a surprisingly fast rate.  People rave about the sensation that overwhelms them during the entire duration of consuming the drink.  Oh, how I do love you bubble tea, or, I’ve heard recently, “boba”.  There is no point in arguing about what people call it due to the amount of goodness that is packed into that one drink –tapioca bubbles on the bottom with a mixture of delicious milk tea– we are addicts all the same.  There are so many methods of drinking it: whether you try and drink all of the tea first and save the bubbles, want to eat the bubbles located on the bottom first and drink the tea afterwards, or just want to simultaneously eat and drink (this is what I usually do). Warning: Drinking bubble tea in excess may cause you to feel nauseous.

Bubble tea, “nai cha” in Mandarin, originated in Taiwan when a family visited Japan and witnessed people drinking tea cold.  The family had been experimenting with tapioca to make pudding.  The combination of the cold tea and tapioca would eventually lead to the creation of milk tea.  My first experience with bubble tea was during a trip to Taiwan at about 5 years old.  I did not really know what to expect at first, but when I had my first few sips I became so thrilled with the taste.  The rush of chilled milk-tea perfection down my throat in what felt like 120 degree weather  (the humidity is absolutely unbearable which causes the most uncomfortable feeling) placated my irritated body instantly.  At that young of an age, I knew that milk tea became an instant hit because of the high temperatures that people experienced around all of Asia.

I identified the first bubble tea store around my neighborhood during the 5th grade.  I would beg my mom to bring me over to the store, but should would always insist that I would have to wait until I go back to Taiwan and have traditional bubble tea there.  There really is no substitute for a perfect cup of bubble tea in Taiwan, trust me.  It has been quite some time since I have been back to Taiwan and visited my extended family, however; I do think about it often, especially when bubble tea comes to mind.  The 18-hour plane right might give me a headache, jet lag, and sick, but bubble tea will always be there waiting for me.

Recently, a new bubble tea joint in State College opened up at 124 McAllister Alley named Tea Talk.  I tried it recently and felt that I should give my honest opinion of the regular milk bubble tea that I had.  It was pretty good considering that we are in the middle of Pennsylvania and it is nearly impossible to find a bubble tea place near Penn State.  Some of the bubbles were a little dry, the milk tea was not too watered down, and the flavor was pretty spot-on.  I would recommend other students and faculty to give it a try.  Milk tea is not for everyone though…

First Draft: Ram Super Bowl Commercial, “Farmer”

Each year companies attempt to outdo one another in short bits of air time in front of millions of television viewers nationwide for the big game: the Super Bowl.  The main goal for these companies, to conjure up emotions (preferably the ones associated with spending money on their products), can be successfully or unsuccessfully attained.  For successful commercials, the investment of around four million dollars on a thirty second slot during the Super Bowl can make a crucial impact on a company’s turnaround in profit.  On the contrary, unsuccessful commercials that leave television viewers scratching their heads can be detrimental to the company; members of the advertising team may very well lose their jobs, in a short period of time.  Ram’s recent commercial about farmers in the 2014 Super Bowl is a prime example of a successful advertisement.  By evoking pathos in the American audience through the farmer’s work ethic, depicting the culture of American patriotism, and further utilizing rhetorical devices in the commercial, Ram magnificently reveals how the life of an American farmer is surprisingly similar to that of regular people in the United States.

To begin with, the Ram commercial effectively evokes pathos in the American audience in a variety of ways.  As the commercial starts, a single cow in the field is displayed on the television screen and there is no other background noise.  This creates a serious tone that carries on through the entire commercial.  Members of audiences nationwide are immediately drawn to this seemingly unrelated commercial. One narrator begins to describe what the farmer must attend to on the farm over the course of his entire life.  An array of images of farmers are cycled through while the narrator continues to detail the hardships of farmers: “they get up before dawn, milk the cows, work all day in the fields, and milk cows again” among many other things.  During the commercial, few speak a word, and afterwards many speak of the gripping emotional responses experienced from the two-minute commercial.

In addition to evoking pathos, the Ram commercial greatly depicts the culture of American patriotism in all its greatness.  Ram’s advertising team emphasizes the importance of America’s glory and the decorum with which Americans carry themselves.  A frozen shot of an American flag in a windowsill during winter allows for Americans to reflect upon what they have done so far in life and what they will achieve in the future.  The life of an American farmer is intended to represent the average American whom must work tirelessly for a living and perseveres despite the obstacles that get in the way.  An American farmer is a mentor, leader, and friend that is looked up to.

Furthermore, the Ram commercial further utilizes rhetorical devices to continue to make its point about the connection between American farmers and everyday Americans.  The colorful visual and auditory imagery bolster the surreal effect of the commercial within the viewers.  Bright colors of the season bring about a blissful mood, which represents a successful season for crops for farmers; this is the equivalent to a pay raise for a typical American.  By using dark colors, the commercial indicates how droughts, floods, or other ill-fated occurrences could cause trouble for a farmer.  The auditory imagery of an older man narrates the commercial as if it were a bedtime story.  This adds a more touching feel for the overall commercial.  The actual Ram trucks are left in the background of the images to show how the trucks are supports in the lives of farmers.  They must rely on them to guide through the paths of life.

The farmer is a symbol of America’s average worker: tough, persistent, and loyal to all those he interacts with in life.  Ram excellently invested money to promote its line of trucks in this Super Bowl commercial that moved the hearts of an entire nation.  It is evident that living a satisfying life is possible regardless of what one may pursue.  As Americans, we have the opportunity to accomplish an infinite number of goals.  As the commercial states in the end, “To the farmer in all of us”, Ram masterfully brings up the connection between the life of a farmer to the life of an average American by evoking pathos in the American audience through the farmer’s work ethic, depicting the culture of American patriotism, and further utilizing rhetorical devices in the commercial.

Taiwan’s Notorious Baked Good: The Suncake

jia de sun cake

 

The connection was there from the start.  It sensationalized every aspect of life into one pastry wrapped in a scarlet-red plastic.  At the time, I was approximately six years old when I had my first nibble of Taiwanese suncake or “Tai-Yang Bing” in Chinese.  My parents had encouraged me to try any and every type of food available to me after the excruciating eighteen-hour plane ride from JFK International Airport in New York to Tao Yuan International Airport in Taiwan.  Most of the time though, my siblings and I would collapse on the couch at my grandparents’ apartment (with little to no effort due to jet lag) while my aunt would start making food runs for our family. 

When we woke up in the morning, still downright exhausted, there would be a mountain of breakfast goodies stacked up on top of the living room table.  These suncakes were one of the many pastries that were a part of the mountain.  I would go for these like a tiger going after its prey.  I would always worry about whether or not there would be enough for my rapacious appetite.  Luckily for me, there was always a surplus in the amount that my aunts would buy for us. 

The flaky texture of the outside cake along with the sweet inside icing sugar cause an immediate mouthwatering reaction in the mouth.  Picture a typical pastry in your head that you really enjoy, perhaps a danish of some sort, but add a bunch of flavor into it and you will have a traditional Taiwanese suncake.  My grandparents were lucky enough to live in an apartment complex right above one of the most famous bakeries in Taiwan, Chia De, pictured above.  The suncake’s origin began in Taichung, a city located in western Taiwan, by a family business that would eventually boom into an iconic baked good of Taiwan.

Just as there are competitions between restaurant owners for the title of best beef noodle soup, likewise there are competitions for the title of best suncake.  People in Taiwan do not mess around when it comes to food, trust me.  Chia De, the bakery located directly under my grandparents’ apartment, won the national award and title of best suncake as well as many other awards.  Chia De truly is the best bakery in all of Taiwan.

The suncake is the ideal snack for breakfast or even a late night snack with a glass of milk.  Taiwan possesses an eclectic variety of food and attractions to please any person from around the world.  When you first land at the airport in Taiwan, you will get overwhelmed by the kindness and respect presented to you regardless of what nationality or any type of identity that society may label you as.  These are the things I love most about Taiwan and all that it has to offer.  Be sure to make a pit stop at one of the plenty of bakeries to get yourself a taste of exquisite suncake!  You won’t regret it one bit.  I promise.

 

 

 

Paper 1 Outline

1) Introduction

a. Present my Snuggies advertisement to my audience 

b. Provide an overview of what symbols, rhetorical appeals, and other ideologies are represented in the advertisement

c. Include an analytic thesis that properly covers all portions of the paper.

2) Key Point #1

a. Re-state the point in a different way 

b. Give support for the point 

c. Provide additional examples for key point #1

3) Key Point #2

a. Re-state the point in a different way

b. Give support for the point

c. Provide additional examples for key point #2

4) Key Point #3

a. Re-state the point in a different way

b. Give support for the point

c. Provide additional examples for key point #3

5) Conclusion

a. Appeal to the audience and describe the effectiveness of the Snuggies commercial from a summary of the body 

b. Remind the audience of the symbols, rhetorical appeals, and other techniques utilized in the advertisement

c. End the paper with a strong closing that permeates the audience’s minds.

 

 

 

My Mom’s Famous Beef Noodle Soup

My dad goes on and on about it: my mom’s beef noodle soup.  This classic Taiwanese dish, simply put, has been perfected by my mom.  The pungent aroma flows throughout my entire house to the point where my stomach aches (especially for that first bite) in pain.  I get cravings for those meaty beef short ribs with a bit of tender fat attached, soaked in a thick broth of steaming soup and noodles.  People go crazy over beef noodle soup; there are even competitions between restaurants for the title of best tasting beef noodle soup in Taiwan!  If my mom entered the competition, she would win in every category: taste, appearance, flavor, and texture.  My mom is absolutely meticulous when it comes to her preparation of foods, especially for her beef noodle soup.  Even my parents’ friends raved about the special taste and scent of the beef noodle soup.  When they asked for the recipe, I wanted to tell them to go find their own recipe (that would not be too nice).  I wanted my mom to make millions off of her creation if she ever wanted to go back to Taiwan after retiring in the U.S.  Eventually, I came to the conclusion that even if she gave them her recipe, they would not be able to match my mom’s creation.

My mom’s collection of recipes has been passed down from her mother and many generations prior.  I’ve always wanted to attain a few of these recipes that I could pass on to my kids and family later on in life.  By passing down a family recipe, we not only pass down the food, but the memories and experiences cherished from eating the food.  Her recipe for beef noodle soup would surely be on the top of my list.  I will attempt to give a brief explanation of how to make beef noodle soup.

The main component of the entire dish is the soup base: the heart of the meal.  Using four coffee filters, bundle together Chinese star anise (a special spice), shallot, onions, cloves of garlic, and dried chile peppers and put them into a pot of boiling chicken broth.  The beef short rib can be bought at your local grocery store (make sure to pick a fresh piece that is deep red).  Cut the beef short rib and gently place into the boiling soup.  The noodles can be bought, either thick or thin, in large quantities for very cheap at grocery stores.  Simply bring water to a boil and cook the noodles until they are soft and tender.  Combine the beef, soup, and noodles into a bowl and add chopped scallion on top of the bowl.  This is a general idea of the actual recipe for my mom’s beef noodle soup.  I really do hope to get my hands on my mom’s special recipe.  One day I will be sure to ask for the recipe and put smiles on the faces of my friends and family after they take the first taste of my attempt at my mom’s beef noodle soup.