Words
“We believe addressing even the largest of problems starts with small solutions” - ChicoBag™ Company.
These slogans get people thinking about what they can do in their everyday lives to change the world we live in. In the last few years I’ve noticed an initiative to get people using reusable bags for shopping trips, groceries and even just carrying as purses. This sort of slogan leaves people feeling inspired to help with sustainability; utilizing rhetoric at its finest, getting people involved.
A good slogan or informative website implements various tools of rhetoric like ethos, pathos and logos. Facts are always a huge influence over what people choose, numbers give us a concrete idea of what’s going on. By giving the consumer the opportunity to change the world, the company makes an emotional appeal. And of course, a reusable bag is much better for the environment than plastic, that’s just logical.
Fashion
Taking the written one step further, in selling an attractive bag, more people are willing to purchase it and use it. When originally released, many people bought canvas bags simply because they were fashion statements. In starting there though, the issue becomes well known. Slowly, more and more options are available with facts about how reusable is better for the environment than paper or plastic. Ads are especially effective at using visual rhetoric to sell a product. Here, the bag is pictured in the vegetable section, not in a landfill, polluting our world.
While celebrity culture has faded in endorsing these bags, the usage is still catching on. I’ve noticed people using their own bags more and more, whether for the discount or because they want to make a difference. What seems like a silly fashion trend can actually find its way into everyday life; I know it has in my family.
Change
By offering discounts on groceries for bagging with your own bags, giving away bags at large events and making them attractive, people are more likely to change their ways. This includes keeping a small bag in your purse, carrying a few in your car or buying them for friends. And so by selling a lifestyle, real change is implemented.
In my own family, my dad always keeps his own bags in his car in case he has to run to the grocery store after work, or if he needs to carry extra stuff into work. He’s even left me with his bag obsession. I have a few in my car and have already amassed my own collection of canvas bags, which have served me well for day trips and long vacations. So maybe ChicoBag™ Company is on the right path with what they say, we can be a large change through small means.
HERE
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Hello Sources!
Rhetoric, including both visual and textual elements, has evolved over centuries to become the complex discipline it is today. These sources take us through the progression of rhetoric from a necessary discipline to a useful tool in the modern day to an interesting way to get an idea across.
First, let’s meet the man himself, Aristotle:
This website gives a great biography of Aristotle’s life and his contributions to the arts and sciences. While not referencing rhetoric specifically, Aristotle studied and furthered ideas on logic, philosophy and other areas relating to rhetoric as a whole. Without looking back at the history of a topic, you cannot fully grasp the evolution of a topic and how it has progressed to the subject learned in classes today.
Moving on from Aristotle, let’s get more specific and look at his contributions to rhetoric:
This website is truly a gold mine. It clearly outlines Aristotle’s works including his elements of rhetoric, definition of rhetoric and rhetorical devices. If you need how Aristotle influenced people like Cicero and Quintilian, this is the website. It’s easy to understand and follow and doesn’t assume that the reader is familiar with Aristotle’s contributions to this discipline.
Exploring more of the history, organization comes into play:
This website offers organization tools and ways to structure written rhetorical argument. This is an important element to rhetoric, because if done wrong, the writer will lose their audience and their audience’s respect. Also, it’s a great cheat sheet to ensure you are including all major elements.
Now let’s look into types of argument:
Both Rogerian and Toulmin styles of argument are useful in their own ways and understanding and implementing them correctly is key to a successful argument. Rogerian argument attempts to find a middle ground in the argument, showing both sides and validating both points, but coming up with a successful agreement. Toulmin, on the other hand, focuses solely on one side, occasionally discussing the opposing view, but mostly placing emphasis and passionate language into their own belief.
Argument would be nothing without devices:
This website outlines the three main rhetorical tropes of rhetoric: ethos, logos and pathos and the various elements associated with them. These are very important devices, and to ensure that the writer uses them correctly, examples are shown.
To truly understand the entire framework, examples are key:
This website offers written and visual speeches that use rhetoric well. One of the most famous examples that is often included in rhetoric text books is Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. This, along with others, can provide concrete examples for people trying to get a better grasp on the topic, or in need of support for their topic.
To build an argument, background is needed as well:
For first starting out, this website offers great background on information regarding globalization and the issues that accompany it. It gives a clear cut definition of the issue and offers links to other websites in order to gain more information. It is from this point that I decided to go into rhetoric on this blog. Further reading from class, in the form of required texts also aided my posts.
Another good background website:
This is a little more simplistic and describes some of the more negative aspects of globalization. While not as good of a reference as a book source, this websites are a good starting out point and a jumping off point to see where more research is needed.
While background is necessary, history gives credibility:
This website offers a nice timeline of the beginnings of globalization to modern day. It explores key background ideas and shows the evolution of globalization from ancient times.
Time Magazine adds to these facts:
While not as extensive as the first, this brief overview of globalization is something that could easily be included in a paper or on a blog to explain key points in history that have affected how we see things today.
Pros and Cons:
Often, in regards to important issues, articles are very one sided or one dimensional. It’s important to have both sides of the coin in order to make key observations and decide your stance on an issue. This website offered some great points to show where people are coming from in their arguments.
Blog:
While not usually great sources, seeing how another person writes a blog and explains their opinions in regard to globalization can give more facts or show how to refute an argument. Also, it can show how to write more clearly.
To add a creative, modern spin to your argument, include some visual rhetoric: Purdue owl offers some great overview websites, full of information that is easy to understand and implement. Sometimes in papers, an image can enhance your argument and drive your point home, but too many can hinder your chances of maintaining your audience’s attention.
And finally, writing the paper with a few things in mind:
Audience is one of the most important aspects to keep in mind when writing a persuasive paper. Depending on what you are trying to convey, who you’re trying to reach and the form of argument you’re using depends on your audience. This, in turn, will affect your diction, syntax and tone of voice throughout your paper.
Because this is so important, you need two references:
This discusses common misconceptions in regard to audience. Looking past the professor as the main audience, the paper can truly turn into something more persuasive, creative and powerful because a larger picture is being considered. It also helps you clarify how much background explanation is needed when writing the paper.
That’s the journey through rhetoric, globalization and how to write about the issues.
First, let’s meet the man himself, Aristotle:
This website gives a great biography of Aristotle’s life and his contributions to the arts and sciences. While not referencing rhetoric specifically, Aristotle studied and furthered ideas on logic, philosophy and other areas relating to rhetoric as a whole. Without looking back at the history of a topic, you cannot fully grasp the evolution of a topic and how it has progressed to the subject learned in classes today.
Moving on from Aristotle, let’s get more specific and look at his contributions to rhetoric:
This website is truly a gold mine. It clearly outlines Aristotle’s works including his elements of rhetoric, definition of rhetoric and rhetorical devices. If you need how Aristotle influenced people like Cicero and Quintilian, this is the website. It’s easy to understand and follow and doesn’t assume that the reader is familiar with Aristotle’s contributions to this discipline.
Exploring more of the history, organization comes into play:
This website offers organization tools and ways to structure written rhetorical argument. This is an important element to rhetoric, because if done wrong, the writer will lose their audience and their audience’s respect. Also, it’s a great cheat sheet to ensure you are including all major elements.
Now let’s look into types of argument:
Both Rogerian and Toulmin styles of argument are useful in their own ways and understanding and implementing them correctly is key to a successful argument. Rogerian argument attempts to find a middle ground in the argument, showing both sides and validating both points, but coming up with a successful agreement. Toulmin, on the other hand, focuses solely on one side, occasionally discussing the opposing view, but mostly placing emphasis and passionate language into their own belief.
Argument would be nothing without devices:
This website outlines the three main rhetorical tropes of rhetoric: ethos, logos and pathos and the various elements associated with them. These are very important devices, and to ensure that the writer uses them correctly, examples are shown.
To truly understand the entire framework, examples are key:
This website offers written and visual speeches that use rhetoric well. One of the most famous examples that is often included in rhetoric text books is Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. This, along with others, can provide concrete examples for people trying to get a better grasp on the topic, or in need of support for their topic.
To build an argument, background is needed as well:
For first starting out, this website offers great background on information regarding globalization and the issues that accompany it. It gives a clear cut definition of the issue and offers links to other websites in order to gain more information. It is from this point that I decided to go into rhetoric on this blog. Further reading from class, in the form of required texts also aided my posts.
Another good background website:
This is a little more simplistic and describes some of the more negative aspects of globalization. While not as good of a reference as a book source, this websites are a good starting out point and a jumping off point to see where more research is needed.
While background is necessary, history gives credibility:
This website offers a nice timeline of the beginnings of globalization to modern day. It explores key background ideas and shows the evolution of globalization from ancient times.
Time Magazine adds to these facts:
While not as extensive as the first, this brief overview of globalization is something that could easily be included in a paper or on a blog to explain key points in history that have affected how we see things today.
Pros and Cons:
Often, in regards to important issues, articles are very one sided or one dimensional. It’s important to have both sides of the coin in order to make key observations and decide your stance on an issue. This website offered some great points to show where people are coming from in their arguments.
Blog:
While not usually great sources, seeing how another person writes a blog and explains their opinions in regard to globalization can give more facts or show how to refute an argument. Also, it can show how to write more clearly.
To add a creative, modern spin to your argument, include some visual rhetoric: Purdue owl offers some great overview websites, full of information that is easy to understand and implement. Sometimes in papers, an image can enhance your argument and drive your point home, but too many can hinder your chances of maintaining your audience’s attention.
And finally, writing the paper with a few things in mind:
Audience is one of the most important aspects to keep in mind when writing a persuasive paper. Depending on what you are trying to convey, who you’re trying to reach and the form of argument you’re using depends on your audience. This, in turn, will affect your diction, syntax and tone of voice throughout your paper.
Because this is so important, you need two references:
This discusses common misconceptions in regard to audience. Looking past the professor as the main audience, the paper can truly turn into something more persuasive, creative and powerful because a larger picture is being considered. It also helps you clarify how much background explanation is needed when writing the paper.
That’s the journey through rhetoric, globalization and how to write about the issues.
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