Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sources
So far I think I want to write my paper about what will happen to our country in regards to taxes. I know this sounds like a very boring topic but I feel that it is such a huge issue and I would like to learn more about how tax prices effect the different classes of Americans. I tried to narrow down this topic and arrived at John McCain's tax plan. I'm not sure if this is quite narrowed down enough but I want to focus on how his vision, if implemented, would effect the lower and upper income families in America. But at the same time I am also interested in how Obama's plan will effect us, so I may end up changing my mind. My sources for class today are both from the official McCain website. One outlines the basics of what exactly John McCain proposed to do in regards to taxes and why he thinks this will benefit our country. The other source is a speech given by McCain where he talks about the difference between Obama's and his own plan.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Use of Arguments Within the Portfolio
Each of the three pieces within my portfolio present different ways of arguing. The arguments are all about the same general topic but are argued differently because of the context to which they are written.
In the letter to the editor the main focus is the credibility of the author of the original op-ed. There is also a difference in the way the letter to the editor is written. People reading my letter will have already read the original article, this allows me to make very specific arguments without having to go in depth about background.
When writing my own op-ed article was comparably easier than writing the letter to the editor. Rather than challenge someone else's argument, I was able to formulate my own. While writing this article I tried to focus on only the things I could backup with evidence. Therefore, my article is generally focused on her known accomplishments.
The humor portion of the portfolio was the most difficult argument to make. Some people are naturally good at creating humor pieces, I on the other hand am horrible at it. I think that humor as an argument is a very effective method if done correctly. Subjects that are usually heated arguments can be portrayed with out the negative response.
In the letter to the editor the main focus is the credibility of the author of the original op-ed. There is also a difference in the way the letter to the editor is written. People reading my letter will have already read the original article, this allows me to make very specific arguments without having to go in depth about background.
When writing my own op-ed article was comparably easier than writing the letter to the editor. Rather than challenge someone else's argument, I was able to formulate my own. While writing this article I tried to focus on only the things I could backup with evidence. Therefore, my article is generally focused on her known accomplishments.
The humor portion of the portfolio was the most difficult argument to make. Some people are naturally good at creating humor pieces, I on the other hand am horrible at it. I think that humor as an argument is a very effective method if done correctly. Subjects that are usually heated arguments can be portrayed with out the negative response.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Example of Humor
http://www.theonion.com/content/whitehousewar/sarahpalin
I found this page on theonion.com. The page basically gives some quotes or funny facts from Palin then it has a section on key issues. I find the site effective with its humorous tone mainly because it points out Sarah Palin's flaws without the usual angry response. If some of those things were said in just an op-ed or magazine I don't think it would go over well with many readers. Most of the points are meaningless in real life such as "Beauty Contest Victories:1984 Miss Wasilla, 1984 Miss Alaska, 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential Nomination". Of course Palin's beauty pageants have nothing to do with being elected to vice president but used in this type of joke the statement is effective. The site goes on to show some key issues of the election, such as immigration, climate, and health care and goes on to say Sarah Palin's stance on the issue. Each of these categories mearly says "Whatever Mr. McCain thinks is best." This use of humor insinuates that Palin has no mind of her own and agrees with whatever John McCain believes. In a normal setting this may offend Palin supporters but put in this context it is funny.
I found this page on theonion.com. The page basically gives some quotes or funny facts from Palin then it has a section on key issues. I find the site effective with its humorous tone mainly because it points out Sarah Palin's flaws without the usual angry response. If some of those things were said in just an op-ed or magazine I don't think it would go over well with many readers. Most of the points are meaningless in real life such as "Beauty Contest Victories:1984 Miss Wasilla, 1984 Miss Alaska, 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential Nomination". Of course Palin's beauty pageants have nothing to do with being elected to vice president but used in this type of joke the statement is effective. The site goes on to show some key issues of the election, such as immigration, climate, and health care and goes on to say Sarah Palin's stance on the issue. Each of these categories mearly says "Whatever Mr. McCain thinks is best." This use of humor insinuates that Palin has no mind of her own and agrees with whatever John McCain believes. In a normal setting this may offend Palin supporters but put in this context it is funny.
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