"Practice" Blog Post: Rhetorical Analysis 101
Choose an online news article with user comments (i.e. from npr.com, dispatch.com, nytimes.com) or another online forum for discussion about issues. Look at the user comments and decide what the overall trend in rhetorical appeals is: do most comments use ethos, logos, pathos, or a combination? Find and discuss one or more representative example of comments that use ethos, logos, and/or pathos. In your response, let us know what the article is, where you found it, and what the major trend in the comments is that you found. Then paste the key parts of the user comment and discuss where you see examples of rhetorical appeals. **Remember to always explain why the word or phrase represents the appeal that you say it does. What makes it an example of ethos, logos, or pathos?
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19 comments:
http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2011/12/reaction-pitchfork-gives-childish-gambino-album-a-1-6-out-of-10.html
The most affluent and prominent rhetorical appeal was the use of pathos. Most of the posters use expletives and other forms of language that belittled and mocked the cd review website known as Pitchfork for giving the album Camp by Childish Gambino a low rating. This is an appeal to pathos because the posters are trying to persuade the audience into viewing Pitchfork negatively by attaching the expletive stigmas to it. The majority of the minority of compliments that did not follow the form i mentioned above simply stated why they liked the album. This, once again, is an appeal to pathos because the posters are trying to convince the audience that the album is good by saying good things about it. It gets the audience to think that if the poster is saying something good about the album, then it may be worth it to listen to it and hear the "good" the poster stated.
The best and most comprehensive post I found is below. It represents all three rhetorical appeals and does a great job at convincing the audience to be wary of Pitchfork's reviews and to enjoy the album. The best and most compelling quotes from his post are below.
December 4, 2011 at 7:01 am
"Full disclosure: I may be the biggest CG fan on this thread and I loved every aspect of Camp. Camp is one of my favorite albums of the year."
This quote highly represents an appeal to pathos. The usage of the words love, favorite, album of the year; all of them try to convey emotion and try to influence the audience to feel the same. This quote also could slightly be considered as an example of ethos. The blogger states that he may be "The biggest CG (Childish Gambino) fan on the thread. This gives him credibility as a speaker and advocater for Childish Gambino.
"I’m wholly unsurprised Camp received the score it did. Why? Because CG insulted Pitchfork, so they needed to protect their necks. In case anyone wasn’t aware, Pitchfork doesn’t truly rate the music based on quality, this is how it works:
If I got together with my cousin and we’re both mysterious white dudes with long hair who wear masks and play slow, ethereal music consisting entirely of bells, Pitchfork would give us an 8.something or higher. As soon as we seemed to be accepted by something or someone related to the mainstream, the next thing we released would get a 3.something or lower. And if you actually insult Pitchfork in a song? Oh my god, you won’t get higher than a 1.something. So, all things considered, 1.6 is a pretty high score on a monkey pissing in it’s own mouth (which is the “review” they gave a Jet album)-1.9 scale. Pitchfork was actually complimenting the album, believe it or not. To explain why artists like Drake and Kanye (with MBDTF) get such high scores sometimes, Pitchfork also likes to try to do the exact opposite of what people expect them to do."
In this portion of his argument he uses an appeal to logos to explain why Pitchfork reviewed the album the way they did. He explains the Pitchfork rating process using logic and examples to justify it.
"On top of that, I feel that every aspect of the album is well done. The instrumental orchestra feeling combined with the chorus singing behind him makes Camp feel epic and intensely personal at the same time. CG shows fantastic lyricism. The flow is good, the beats are good, the original samples are good too. It’s just an all-around solid album. The progression from song to song and the themes running throughout the album also bring about a great sense of cohesiveness."
Once again the author is using an appeal to pathos by explaining why the album is so good to the audience and trying to have them see it in the same way. This could also be an appeal to pathos because the explanations used to describe the album are what logically would make an album good.
http://rapgenius.com/posts/Who-s-to-blame-artists-or-fans-how-about-ignorance-of-fans
After reading this article, most of the comments used logic and reasoning to try and convince their fellow readers what to think about the article. This clearly defines the meaning of logos. There are also points where people are using their own experiences to give a backbone to their argument, representing ethos. The article is talking about the ignorance of music fans, and how they judge new material put out, and the people that listen to it.
A user commented, “For example, I first got into Tech N9ne one or two years ago. To this day, I haven't been able to really get through all his work and understand its context properly to truly appreciate it, especially his earliest work”. This reflects logos because the user is reaching into their own past to reflect on the reasoning of the author of the article. The user is attempting to prove their own credibility by presenting a situation where they may have been presented with a situation that the article presented.
The same user then stated, “Like you mentioned, this is just part of the mind state of people in regards to music. There are so many of these 'views' and predetermined judgments on certain music because of the state of society and it's sad that with so many people listening to music these days, we can't have good discussions with 80% of them.”. The user is trying to send a message here. He/she is trying to argue that people have predetermined thoughts on music before listening to it. The user is using logos to try and get past the ignorance that people carry with them when listening to new music.
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/03/29/electric-rates-will-soar-now-that-obamas-epa-has-crushed-coal-fired-power/#content
This article from the Fox News website focuses on the problems that Obama's new EPA laws will cause. Most of the comments on this article use Pathos.
Reader Comment:
"My "HOPE" is that the huge majority of the fools who elected Obama suffer terribly under his asinine policies.
Congress already rejected Cap and Trade, but our all-wise King sees fit to circumvent the will of the people.
His omniscient wisdom is to raise energy prices and take more food right off the tables of the poor. Obama loves
the poor and oppressed: perhaps that is why he is H3LLBENT on helping so many make the transition from struggling middle class to abject poverty. Soon many more can become wards of the state."
This comment uses Pathos in many ways. The comment is full of emotion and anger, which is used to communicate the reader's opinions. It also connects with other readers experiences, as many people reading this article may be struggling to pay bills already.
Reader Comment:
"The mother earth worshiping cult of environmentalists, will gladly let grandma and grandpa have to decide whether to buy food, buy heat, or pay for their medications. The elderly, the disabled, and all on fixed incomes mean nothing to the earth worshipers. These environmental radicals would gladly see the elderly starve, because by their philosophy the elderly no longer produce, and are therefore wasting everything they consume. Wake up and resist these fools before it is too late!!"
This comment is also utilizing Pathos through emotion and connecting with reades' experiences. It's likely that many readers are elderly with a fixed income, and an increase in their bills may cause financial strain.
Reader Comment:
"Not that I want to see people lose their job, nor do I want to see my electricity bill jump, but maybe this is a good thing in the short run. It exposes Obummer and the EPA as the radical enviro-whacks that they are. Also, it's another glaring example of Obummer's penchant for side-stepping Congress (and the American people) to get his agenda through.
Perhaps this will serve as a means to give some of the feeble-minded, liberal fools that elected this idiot a reason not to repeat their stupid mistake in November.
Obummer must go!!!!!!!!!"
This comment is yet another example of Pathos being used to appeal to the readers. A lot of the readers of this article likely did not vote for Obama, and this comment appeals to their unhappiness in his election.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/business/jonathan-gruber-health-cares-mr-mandate.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&hp
The article discusses that professor of MIT, Jonathan Gruber, was called to fix the health care system of seven states after he helped Massachusetts overhaul health insurance. On the whole, the rhetorical appeal of this issue’s comments is the combination of ethos and logos. Since the health care system of America is closely related to each and every American citizen, many posters made comments to persuade viewers about their own point of view and meanwhile, many comments are logical with evidence, which are appeals of ethos and logos.
Below are the comments that I found representative. They are comprehensive and combined with logos and ethos.
“It is illogical that 9 individuals in black robes should have the authority to make life and death decisions for 300 plus million Americans...and much less the power given to the 535 congressional clowns....and lets not forget their omnipotent ruler in the oval office....his devine highness.....bozo. There is so much fraud waste and abuse of the medicare/medicaid health care system that it is almost commonplace and expected. Recently it was reported that Americans who suffered or died by taking generic drugs....had no longer legal recourses to claim compensation. However, I believe that the most inhuman action in the American health care system is euthanasia of America's elderly.”
This is a comment that typically includes ethos and logos. The poster uses a set of statistics and the specific example “euthanasia” as the convincing arguments. This matches the rhetorical appeal of ethos. In addition, the poster sneered at congress and health care system, for example, the poster used “congressional clowns” and “fraud”. And the first beginning, the poster used the word “illogical” to directly express his or her opinion of the article, and it is powerful to express the poster’s opposition. We can know that the posture’s emotion, which he was quite dissatisfied with the government and the system of health care. He feels discontented and angry. This attributes to pathos.
This article posted on Engadget just after Apple launched the new generation iPad. Most comments combine the use of pathos and logos. The author of this article listed some exciting features of the new iPad. Posters use very emotional tone to persuade the audience that this Apple new product has incredible features. The breakthrough Retina display technology was the hottest feature posters mentioned. This high definition display is still controversial since some posters point out the display’s difference between the iPhone 4s and the new iPad. Some comments are very persuasive and reasonable to tell the audience the new iPad is deserved to buy or not.
One of the typical comment it an appeal to pathos:
“We are the champions - my Apple friends -- And we'll keep on fighting - till the end - - We are the champions - - We are the CHAMPIONS -- No time for loser FANdroids -- 'Cause we are the champions - of the world.” -- jctejada
This is the emotional appeal comment. The poster jctejada tries to convince audience of supporting Apple, and belittle the Android users. An Apple fan boy would love this comment. One poster belittles the new iPad in a very different, he mentioned about ethic in his comment:
“Gee I wonder how many people at Foxconn in China died making this version??”
-- Paul Nickodem
I found out many readers voted this comment, this emotional appeal comment (pathos) causes many people to question Apple’s ethics. Foxconn’s employees attempted suicide with 14 people died in 2010. So that’s the reason Paul Nickodem’s comment received lots of votes from readers.
“huh!!!!!! i am by no means an apple hater, android lover or whatever in fact my personal phone is a blackberry 9900 and i really don't care what you have to say about. I'm neutral and am a fan of innovation through competition. When Apple first introduced the iPhone 4 with its so called "Retina display" it shocked the industry so as to speak. It was clear, crisp and beautiful, and was undoubtedly one of the best screens out there, now lets get technical, the iphone 4 has a 3.5 inch. 640 x 960 pixels screen, i'm no mathematical genius but that equals to 330 ppi (dpi or whatever) and i've checked several sources to back this up. Since apple introduced the Retina display with that such resolution, it therefore means they set a standard for retina display, and to be dubbed retina display, a screen would therefore MUST have a dpi/ppi of 330 or more. I hope you are all still following, so a couple days ago, apple released the new ipad with a Retina Display, now lets go back to the drawing board, A retina display is a display that must have a dpi/ppi of 330 or more. Now lets get technical again, the new ipad has a 9.7 inch .1536 x 2048 pixels which due to my mathematical genius equates to 264 dpi/ppi, ok now, this is the point where that big glowing light bulb should appear in your head. I'm no mathemitician, but what i can tell you is that there's a noticeable difference between 330 and 264. you still following?? So what is a Retina display?? i once thought it was one of the best screens, but now i'm thinking its just a marketing dud, and woah!!! i'm not saying the new ipad's screen isnt good, but is it a retina display?? my sentiments are WTF!!!!!! this whole retina thingy is therefore rubbish, cuz my 9900 has a 2.8 inch, 640 x 480 pixels which equals 286 ppi/dpi, so does that mean that it has Retina Display??? My point is Apple set a standard and then named it, then releases a newer device with a lower standard yet it has the name of that standard?? help me out here in understanding this, i'm just 17, am i just stupid, immature or what??”
-- Jon-Ross Futureyoungboyz Delam
This poster Jon-Ross combines the use of logos and pathos in his comment. He lists some technical examples to explain that the new iPad’s Retina display has the lower standard then iPhone’s Retina display. He gives the standard Retina display has a DPI/PPI of 330 or more, but iPad only has 264 DPI/PPI. His comment is an appeal to logic, and lists the reason to support his point. The comment is an emotional appeal as well, such as:
“help me out here in understanding this, i'm just 17, am i just stupid, immature or what??”
“you still following?? So what is a Retina display?? i once thought it was one of the best screens, but now i'm thinking its just a marketing dud, and woah!!!”
I also consider this is an ethical appeal (ethos) below:
“I am always charging my phone (android - waiting until they get a LTE version or tmobile version) and my laptob 2011 MPB 15". I am going to say I charge my ipad every other day.”
-- Jeffrey Bacot
This poster Jeffrey determines he is a user that uses most of Apple’s mainstream products, and all these products do not have a long enough battery life. Although Apple officially announces that iPad has 10 hours battery life, Jeffrey has to charge his iPad every day without using it frequently to watch video or play games. So I consider this is an ethos appeal, the poster’s words are trustful since he is a credit source.
In conclusion, Apple’s products look simple and beautiful, and it always uses terms like “amazing”, “revolutionary”, “incredible”, “wonderful” to describe its own products. When I went through all the comments in this article, people are able to judge the new iPad by their own experience from using the old Apple products, and thus, Apple is not easy to fool customers any more by using the terms I mentioned before, and customers are clearly know Apple would always like to spend lowest cost to sell expensive products.
Web Add: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/the-new-ipad-is-official/#disqus_thread
http://voices.yahoo.com/article/9408386/the-return-comeback-city-11048888.html?cat=7
The article above reports how Cleveland's economic condition is miraculously rebounding. The author relies primarily on logos when explaining how nine renovations and events under way in the city are working to recover Cleveland from its severe decrease in population and industry over the last thirty years. The commenters’ reactions to this article rely primarily on ethos and logos to support the article’s accuracy and add further suggestions for Cleveland’s “rebirth”. For example:
“As a Cleveland native who has lived overseas for over 20 years, I am a big fan and hope to return to this great city soon. However, one area that hurts Cleveland overall is its airport. The fact that there are no direct flights from any European city is a hindrance to many travelers. Continental used to have a London-Cleveland flight for a few short years. It was heavenly. I wish the city and the airport authority could work together to make Cleveland easier to get to from overseas. Currently, Detroit is the closest I know with an international connection, via Amsterdam.”
This post offers another suggestion to Cleveland officials about another problem that could be solved easily: International travel. Firstly, the commenter establishes their credibility and experience by stating they’re experience as both a Cleveland native and frequent international traveler. The commenter then appeals to logos by listing disadvantages to current and future Cleveland residents by not including sufficient means for international travel in Cleveland- Hopkins airport.
Other posters channel pathos to appeal to Cleveland residents who are excited about the changes and dismiss those who mock the progress reported in the article such as the commenter below:
“There are so many people that live in the Cleveland area, that spend more time complaining about living here and the city....if you dont like Cleveland that much, and feel that negative about it....why do you continue to stay there? There are so many other places you can live...why Cleveland? Cleveland most likely would be happy to get rid of you....Cleveland can "take out the garbage" so to speak.....by kicking you and your lousy opinions to the curb....”
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/out-of-jail-and-into-jobs/?ref=opinion
I found the article from the website of New York Times. The title of the news is “Out of Jail, and Into Jobs” and it talks about a New York organization—Center for Employment Opportunities (C.E.O.) that specializes in helping ex-offenders find and keep jobs. Also, ex- offenders can learn time management and team work through it.
After reading all the comments that relate to the theme of the article, I think the major rhetorical appeal of the comments is the combination of logos, pathos and ethos. Most people who commented below used their own or their families’ experiences as released ex-offenders to support C.E.O.. This is an appeal to the combination of logos, pathos and ethos because their own experiences as ex-offenders or getting along with ex-offenders are vivid and real that can both increase the credibility, which is an appeal to ethos, and engage the emotion and sympathy of readers who have similar experiences, which is an appeal to pathos. As a whole, the information conveyed by posters supports this kind of organization clearly and logically with detailed reasons and examples, which is an appeal to logos. The other comments that did not follow the major trend in the comments just expressed their delightfulness for this new program.
One of the typical comments using the combination of logos, pathos and ethos was written by SSK. He/she said, “Given the out of control size and costs of the prison systems across the country it seems that we could have a huge savings in money and human life value and crime prevention by making programs like this a more solid institution in every state. As a family member of a released offender I see firsthand the huge difficulty of transitioning back to normal society despite all best intentions. It is in everyone's interest to address a way to re-integrate those who have done their time.”
The first sentence of the comment mentioned the advantages of this kind of program, such as saving money and decreasing the crime. These two major advantages are expected by most people that can enhance the quality and safety of their lives. Therefore, the information of benefits mentioned above satisfies reader’s interest and value, which represents an appeal to pathos. While in the second sentence, SSK mentioned that he was “a family member of a released offender”, which can be considered as ethos. This increases his/her credibility and trustworthiness, since he is fairly qualified to speak on this question as an “insider”. Moreover, it’s an appeal to pathos since it will let other ex-offenders or families of ex-offenders feel sympathy and convincing when they read this comments. In addition, he/she used an appeal to logos to explain the usefulness and necessity of the C.E.O by detailed reasons that enhanced his/her comment’s logic and clarity.
Overall, the poster used the combination of logos, pathos and ethos to support his idea that he appreciated the new organization which established to help released offenders find and keep job and persuade readers to think as him/her to support the new program as well.
http://money.cnn.com/2012/03/29/technology/apple-foxconn-report/index.htm?hpt=hp_t1
The article is a story about how Foxconn, a China based supplier to Apple, has factories that are underpaying and overworking their employees in China. A company was used in the report to investigate the factories and observe the working conditions and, thus released the information. The article was found on CNN.com, a credible source.
The responses to the article shared a mixed outlook, and at the same time people were stating logic to explain discrepancies, other responses used stories and other passionately responses were trying to evoke emotion in the article.
Logos was being used to explain arguments of deregulation, suicide rates, and responsibilities of both foreign parties along with many other topics. A few strands were conversations about workers wages, the comparison of this particular factory with other normal factories within china, and prices of products and goods.
On the other hand pathos was used to try and convey and sway emotions in responses. There was a response that used a man's personal story of "slaving for wages" to try and sympathize another responder saying the wages at the specific Foxconn factories are well over the national averages in china. Other attempts were made including US's treatment of foreign business and other ethical situations, using arguments that reversed the position of producer and buyer, mainly swapping American corporations and Chinese factories and working conditions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/business/apple-supplier-in-china-pledges-changes-in-working-conditions.html?_r=1&hp
This article is talking about the latest news about the labor right issue of Apple company's supplier company Foxconn in China. As we know recently apple's CEO Tim Cook took a tour to China to visit the Foxconn's Iphone and Ipad assembly factory. The article exposes that the workers in Foxconn work more than 60 hours per weeks with disproportional wages, which definitely violated Chinese labor law. In this point, many labor right organization and a growing outcry started to criticize and scrutinize Apple company. And the following comments to this article gives us the idea of how to use logos, ethos and pathos.
" I don't have any Apple devices (except an old iPod given to me, which I have yet to use) exactly because of this situation."
This beginning sentences is the example of pathos, the writer shows his own experience. Why he mentioned that he never be in possession of apple's devices is because he want to give us sense that he doesn't support Apple while more people enjoy their iphone or ipad.
" Their computers are easier to use, they have products that no one else does, and all sorts of applications are available. And I realize that most computer companies are using pieces made by Foxconn, or similar exploiters of cheap and unrepresented Chinese labor."
For these sentences, we see writer logically analyzed the reason why Foxconn has so many business worldwide. It tells us that because the labor in China is so cheap compare to those in US or Europe, as well Foxconn is such a company with high ability in technological manufacturing, apple and many electronic company choose Foxcoon to be their product supplier.
" They might try paying their serfs a bit more, like a living wage, and seeing to it that they had decent working and living conditions. Obviously when Apple says "jump", Foxconn asks "how high?" It's time for American consumers to say "jump" to Apple, by declining to buy Apple products until this abuse of their supply workers is stopped.
Lastly, we ought to buy what we need in the way of computers and mobile devices- not the latest thing twice a year, just because it's fun to own it first, but just what we actually need. The days are long past when Americans bought a new car every year because it looked a little different, or went faster. Same with iwhats."
This paragraph is also a pathos. The writer here advocate people to decline and to stop buying Apple's products until the proper and effective laws can work to protect those labors' right and to give them safe and secured working and living environment. As well, the writer also protest those who change their computers and mobile devices so fast. Because he believe if people buy things only when they really need things can help to soothe the issue of labor right in China and other same industries.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/16/lins-star-fading-as-knicks-falter/
It is an article talked about the Knicks, a NBA team, rose and fell with Jeremy Lin’s data and indicated Lin’s crazy show in games before was just like the morning dew, which will vanish as soon as it appears. Most posters chose pathos to rhetorical device to support or attack Lin by using some zealous epithets in order to express their emotions and try to evoke readers’ sympathy. The poster who will be attracted by the tittle, read carefully and make a comment must be a fan of Knicks, at least a person concerned with Knicks so that the emotion will accompany their words spontaneously. Those passionate words can easily arise the feeling of other readers and it can be defined as the usage of pathos. The frequent use of pathos makes another rhetorical appeal become impressive and unforgettable.
Here is one of the comments which I think is calm and use the other rhetorical appeal rather than pathos and analyses in a unique and innovative way. “Proof is in the record, Melo is a virus that infects teams to be losers. He did it in Denver with his selfish play and now in New York. When Lin was playing and Melo was out they won, now that Melo is back they lose. Pretty cut and dray there. Of course Lin is the 2nd year player and will be the center of blame because they spent so much money on Melo and Knicks management doesn’t want to come out and say they screwed up.”(March 17, 2012 at 10:16 am) This quote uses the appeals to logos. First, it emphasizes the character of Melo, the ace of the Knicks, which is selfish and doesn’t want to give chance to his teammates. In addition, the fact is shown that the back of Melo is the breakpoint of team turning terrible. Finally, it explains the reason why critics, writers and team managements direct their spearhead to Jeremy Lin. The analysis is made step by step and persuade reader to accept poster’s idea by the usage of reasoning.
Here is another comments expressed very well. “I’m a Bulls fan. I was at the game on Monday. Glad for the Bulls win. As to Jeremy Lin—he’s not the problem. He produced a solid 15 point while, for the most part, standing on the offensive end watch Carmelo Anthony. Anthony was a selfish player at Syracuse and he/s a selfish player in NY. I’d like to see what happens if Anthony is out a game. I bet you see Lin break out again. ” (March 16, 2012 at 3:49 pm) The poster use an appeal to ethos to indicate that the loss of Knicks is the fault of Melo. He creates credibility to make comments by identifying his state, the spectator of a Knicks’ game. What he saw in that game is Melo’s selfishness and Jeremy Lin’s efforts on playing the game. When readers see this comment, they will tend to believe it because the character of poster is convincing.
Article: http://www.economist.com/node/21551065/comments#comments
Comments: http://www.economist.com/node/21551065/comments#comments
The passage mainly introduced us to Apple’s big share market and how its share expanded in the last few years. The passage also mentioned what brokers and analysts view about such a rocketing rise, and expressed concerns whether Apple would finally become a bubble.
“welcome to another bubble!”
This comment definitely agrees that Apple will fall someday. It is sorted as Pathos because it seems so valid that the commenter is actually greeting us inside truth, using a sense of humor. This certainly would arouse the audience’s connection with such unfortunate truth, thus serves the purpose of transferring the commenter’s point of view.
Here is a fairly strong use Logos. Part of the comment is “The reason Apple is so big is because”“And the iPhone brand is clearly strong in the developing world, too: there were near-riots in China as people struggled to get an iPhone 4S. Apple have also started making iPhones in Brazil to avoid high import taxes.” This writer analyzed why he didn’t think Apple’s share would not become totemic investment in a really logical and convincing way. He put up several examples illustrating Apple’s impact on development countries and how Apple itself deals with such big amount of money. If the audience follows the commenter’s cue, the audience would easily lean toward the commenter’s view, which are the magical effects of Logos using.
I picked out one from the end of a comment: (Disclosure: long AAPL). Regardless what AAPL means, the word disclosure itself is quite appealing. It seems that this piece of information is coming from insiders. Once a reader saw some words like this, they may consider it as credible. So Ethos also plays a vital rule in writing.
www.npr.com
Post
noel woodard (ululani) wrote:
Mr. Martin ~ I stand with you and with Trayvon's mother, as I believe that your son was racially profiled by Zimmerman. I've just returned home after attending a rally in downtown Seattle, WA to remember and honor Trayvon. My teen-aged grandson is part African American and experienced an incident involving law enforcement and held because of his race and color.
I have never experienced such treatment and was quite surprised when my grandson who was 11 at the time, was held at gunpoint in his neighborhood as he finished his summer chores for a neighbor.
An officer was following up on recent burglaries in my grandson's upper income neighborhood and said after stopping him, "Blacks don't live around here." The officer held my grandson at gunpoint until my daughter intervened after hearing his screams!
Unless one has experienced an incident such as this, they have no idea why Tracy Martin is referencing racial profiling. I didn't either until my little grandson's incident.
Rather than debating the reason for Trayvon's dad's comment and one who is dealing with his grief, a simple prayer of "There for the grace of God, go I" would be a loving gesture.
Tracy Martin, blessings to you and to Trayvon's mom.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 10:07:27 PM
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Mr. Woodward‘s post contains examples of ethos, pathos, and logos. Mr. Woodward in this post tells us how his grandson was doing chores at a neighbors and a police officer held him at gunpoint, because he was following up on recent burglaries reported in the upper income family neighborhood. Mr. Woodward’s story about his grandson establishes his credibility to post the comment and is a clear example of ethos. Mr. Woodward’s post also establishes that he is an authority on the subject, because of what he experienced through his grandson’s incident of racial profiling. Mr. Woodward’s experience and authority makes his post believable, and provides another good example of Ethos. Pathos is demonstrated through the emotions that are felt when we read that the officer continues to hold Mr. Woodward’s grandson at gunpoint until his daughter intervened. You can’t help, but ask yourself the question. What would have happened if his daughter would not have intervened? This entire post supports, and reinforces the reality of racial profiling and causes the reader to look at racial profiling, because of the compelling story posted by Mr. Woodward. This is an example of how the emotion in the post demonstrates a clear example of Pathos. Trayvon and Mr Woodward’s grandson’s are two completely different examples of racial profiling on opposite sides of the United States but the incidents are almost identical. This makes it seem logical to conclude that black males are racially profiled. This logical fact makes the principle of logos evident. Mr. Woodward’s post is an account of the facts, and an excellent example of how credibility (Ethos), emotional (Pathos), and logic (Logos) are key components in this post.
Kimberly Sanford
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/us/community-college-to-charge-more-for-top-courses.html?pagewanted=1&hp
I found this article in the website of New York Times. The article above discusses the phenomena of cutting the enrollment of community colleges because of the budget cut. In the article, the author uses SANTA MONICA, California as an example. In this college, it is hard for the students to register for classes and a large amount of students are rejected by it. In addition, the author also points out in this summer the college will offer high price classes, so that the students who are eager to register for the classes should pay more. The author also points out that the essential solution to the problem should be the reinvestment by the state by quoting the following words“We hope that this is just a stopgap measure, before taxpayers step up and the state really starts to reinvest in the colleges”.
I selected some typical comments below:
Reader comment: “I'm a product of the California system in the 1960s and 70s. A bright kid from from a family that was broke --- and broken, I showed the effects of that dysfunction in my high school grades and attendance. I needed to rehabilitate my suitability for higher education and to my everlasting gratitude, I was able to attend Merritt College in Oakland on a part-time job and one $1,000 Federally Insured Student Loan per year. From Merritt, I went on to UC Berkeley with a scholarship. I have had academic and professional success that my parents could never have provided. All it took was some personal initiative and maturity, and the resources were there for me to succeed. The breakdown of the California system breaks my heart. That other young people (and older too!) do not have the access and support that I had means that they have fewer opportunities and choices in life, only because they are poor. That should not be. Alumni generosity, as I try to provide, is not sufficient. We need to support people in educating themselves for too many reasons to enumerate here. Otherwise the wealthy and connected will own yet another path to success, and the poorer will be left in the cold.”
This comment appeals to Pathos through a close connection with the reader and his emotion. As we all know there are many people studying in community school, they may have the same experience. As a result, this article will probably recall a sense of resonation.
Reader Comment: make up your mind -- in the third paragraph it says: "...Since 2009, enrollment in California community colleges has fallen by 300,000 students, to 2.6 million..." and in the sixth graph it says: "...Since 2008, the system has lost $809 million from the state, including $564 million in the most recent budget, even as more students than ever before try to enroll..." Which is it -- more students or less students?
This is a comment that questions the authenticity and credibility of this article, she wonders whether the admitted students are increased or decreased. So this comment is a typical example of Logos.
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