Blog #1

  Applying Burke's Pentad to Former President Bush's 9/11 Speech Breanna Taylor Act: On September 11, 2001, Islamic extremists hijacked four planes and crashed them into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, resulting in a terrorist attack on American soil. This video features former President Bush discussing the attacks. His message was directed toward all Americans who were scared during this time, reassuring them that America and its military were not afraid. Scene: The terrorist attack known as 9/11 occurred on September 11, 2001. This attack targeted multiple locations, including the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked planes crashed, resulting in the deaths of all 40 passengers on board. Historically, the United States has had a contentious relationship with Osama bin Laden, a leader in Saudi Arabia. Bin Laden opposed the presence of American military forces in Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War, believing it intru...

Everyone needs the Happy Chip. Whether you work, go to school, or struggle with mental illness, the Happy Chip can be beneficial. We have developed a chip that can be inserted into your arm, neck, or shoulder for your convenience. The Happy Chip connects to your phone, and you have complete control over how it can assist you on a daily basis. For example, if you work long hours and find yourself losing energy and motivation, the Happy Chip can stimulate your body and mind to boost your dopamine levels, providing you with the energy and motivation you need to get through your shift. The Happy Chip does not store or track any user information. All databases are only accessed for system checkups and updates. Personal information is only accessed through the user's phone and is kept private. We take pride in maintaining the privacy of all user information. Users have full control over their chips through their phones. The Happy Chip can only enhance and improve normal brain functions t...

This ad from The National Domestic Violence Hotline appeals to the viewer's emotions in a unique way by evoking a strong emotional response. The one-minute ad features background music and no dialogue. It shows a woman crying, with her face becoming increasingly bruised and bloody. The emotions in her eyes tell a powerful story without the need for words. This is an example of anecdotal evidence, as viewers have to infer the situation and the message being conveyed. The ad's credibility comes from our societal understanding that domestic violence is unacceptable. The majority of the audience sees the woman as the victim, making her a credible speaker. The ad employs various symbols, messages, and imagery, which aligns with the Dramatism Symbolism Theory. The woman in the ad is the agent, as her genuine display of sadness effectively conveys the message without speaking. The hidden message here is that the abuse never stops; she continues to wipe away the blood, but it keeps com...

  Notes:  First Memory is something the speaker Shonda Rhimes demonstrates by talking to her audience about all of the shows she has written and maintained at the same time. This shows her memory is impeccable and she is fast thinking to keep up with all of these responsibilities. Also repeating her weekly tasks showed a lot about her and gave us an understanding of how much she really has to remember. I think this was one of the stronger parts of the speech as she if a very credible writer, and expressed how much time she truly puts in everyday.  Rhimes' delivery was very calculated. This sets the stage for her style and personality to emerge, as well as how she works and overworks herself. She opens the story by calling herself a Titan, and despite the audience believing she was using this in a positive light, she clarifies that it's not normal to live and work like a titan. This was bringing us in to believe a certain thing, because that dream job is what we are told t...

  Kamala Harris Campaign Any presidential campaign is a good example of rhetoric. However, I believe Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign is using very compelling persuasive techniques and has a very powerful rhetorical message. When thinking about artistic proofs of rhetoric starting with logos, Kamala Harris uses the argument that most Americans can stand behind: 'freedom.' The biggest tool used for Kamala's campaign is ethos. Her running mate is Donald Trump, and being convicted of multiple different felonies, Harris is the ethical and credible choice. In this campaign video, the message is that voting for Harris for the 2024 Presidential election is a vote for freedom, and she is the option that chooses freedom, not chaos. This message is also persuasive to a certain community by using 'Freedom' by Beyoncé. Beyoncé is very loved and popular with the younger generation and Black supporters. There are a few clear statements that show what Kamala Harris suppo...

  What current debates about technology interest me?  I'm interested in the discussions around digital trust being key to embracing new technology. I recently learned about the Luddite movement, which refers to individuals who oppose and refuse to use technology. However, the original intent of this term was not focused on opposition to technology itself. This movement was named after Ned Ludd a Weaver, pictured above. Luddites were against the lack of choice, as they believed that leaders of emerging technologies were taking away jobs and opportunities from the people. Unfortunately, we still face similar issues of broken trust today.  When individuals are introduced to new technologies and the benefits they can provide, they may feel as though there is a lack of transparency or information being withheld from them. This feeling of unease can often be attributed to past negative experiences, such as corporations using and selling personal data for their own gain. To comb...