Chapter 16:

The focus on this chapter is evidence. It talks about the importance of relevance in a rhetorical situation, and how big of a factor this can be. Using data or facts that are outdated for example is not a good way to gain ethos or kairos in an argument. There are two types of ways to get evidence, or research firsthand and secondhand.


Firsthand evidence or research:

• observations
• interviews
• surveys/questionares
• experiments
• personal experience

Secondhand evidence or research:

• library sources
• online sources 

Something important to keep in mind when conduction research or gathering evidence is to make sure that your sources are credible. For example, Wikipedia is not always the best source because it can be edited by anyone. also making sure that the sources are up to date is important because like I said earlier, out of date information can ruin your credibility or kairos. Another thing to keep in mind is the audience. Setting up evidence in a way that works with your argument while also is understanding to the listener or reader is very crucial.

 When I think of evidence, the first thing that comes to mind is court. This is a big place of evidence and it must be chosen carefully and wisely. Evidence in a trial can be life or death for someone. I have never been on trial so I can't exactly relate to this, but I have seen enough CSI and have a grandpa who was a judge and two lawyer uncles. Because of this, I know that evidence is extremely important. 

Ch. 13: Style and Presentation in Arguments

This chapter describes and explains the different ways of styling an argument. 
A classical orator showed that arguments can be broken down into three different categories. 

1. High (formal and ornate)
2. Middle (understated but clear)
3. Low (everyday or humorous) 

These categories can be defined by many different factors. Small changes or tweaks to an argument can change the entire meaning. It can make it stronger, or weaker. Some as follows:

• Font choice
• Sentence Structure
• Word Choice
• Punctuation?
• Style and design

Something I thought was interesting was the section about figures of speech. Figures of speech were described as something that "differs from the ordinary." It is said that any word really could be argued one way or another, so technically everything is a figure of speech right? Not quite. Figures of speech have an obvious double meaning. For example, the book uses "smile factory" as a description of Disneyland. This is saying that many smiles are "manufactured" there. Another example of a figure of speech that is very common is "it's raining cats and dogs." Now this does really mean that cats and dogs are falling out of the sky, it is an exaggeration for more dramatic effect. Using a phrase like these can alter someone's argument because it makes the comparison or argument more memorable and strong. There are two types of figures of Speech:

1. Tropes: change in the meaning of a word
2. Schemes: a special arrangement of a word

This can be relevant to real life in many ways. It is useful when talking in a casual (low) way to say a close friend. This could be describing a crazy event, or explaining why your choice of something was better. Also in a formal argumentative essay trying to convince your teacher your position is the one to take. Using a figure of speech can be a way to show seriousness and even exaggeration. It can also be a way to make an audience relate to what is being argued by using a memorable descriptions. 

Structuring Arguments (CH. 7)

This chapter, as it is named, is about structuring an argument. It starts with a history of how arguments were started and the different parts of how they are structured. In ancient Greek and Roman times, 6 parts were developed for creating arguments:
          Exordium: The writer tries to win the audiences attention.
          Naratio: The writer puts the argument in context by explaining facts.
          Partitio: The writer explains the order divides up the subject.
          Confirmatio: The writer used logical reasoning and factual evidence to support the claim.
          Refutatio: The writer acknowledges and refutes the opposing claim.
          Peroratio: The writer summarizes the claim then explains the action to take place.
Many pieces of wiring use this technique to explain and argue a claim, from the writing a student does in class, to the Declaration of independence. Sometimes the reader doesn't even notice these strategies were used. Another important term is Rogerian arguments. This is when a person should stop and listen and comprehend the argument being presented before jumping into conclusions and arguing. There is also a Toulmin argument which is a system of  reasoning that starts with a claim. 
Some techniques in developing claims are as follows:
          Personal Experience
          Anecdotes 
          Facts 

Something I thought was interesting as well as entertaining in this chapter was the section on making sure that one fully understands an argument before diving into either defending or opposing it. This is something that can be very embarrassing if it is in a serious situation. The example the text used was a humorous environment, Saturday Night Live. There was a skit where Gilda Radner plays a character who mishears a word and argues on about it. When Chevy Chase corrects her, she then just simply says " Never Mind." I thought this was funny because this happens to people sometimes in real life as well. 


This relates to real life because it is very common for some people to jump to conclusions without having full knowledge of the situation. This can be in all sorts of situations, but some people just always have to be right. It is a really good skill to have to be able to wait and fully comprehend as well as fully listen before diving into an argument.

Arguments Based on Character: Ethos-Chapter 3

This chapter is about developing credibility. The fist example talks about the car The Nano and how the car was built to please the people. The promises they make are illogical and unrealistic making them sound less credible. They try too hard to make impossible promises just to make money.

Something that caught my eye in this chapter was the section about humor to establish credibility, or logos.  The example the text used was Al Gore’s film An Inconvenient Truth. He opens it with a serious tone and says, ”I’m Al Gore, I used to be the next president of the United States.” This shows that he knows his flaws and is able to admit that he is not as successful as he would have liked. It also gives him a more honest and likable feature giving him more logos.  Admitting to your audience that you know you are not a genius on ever subject but you are very knowledgeable in your narrowed subject provides a more credible source.

Oprah did this in a speech about her school in Africa. She admitted that it was not a completely perfect plan, but everything has its flaws. She used her mistake to talk about how she learned. This is something an audience likes to hear because it is easier to connect with someone who has learned from mistakes and real life events, instead of someone who thinks they are perfect and always right.

Another way some people establish their credibility is through emotion. An example of this is Terry Temest Williams. She is a member of “Clan of One Breasted Women.” She gets her listeners for her fight against the radiation poisonings through emotional sympathy. This can get people’s attention and gain credibility through connecting with an audience through their hearts.

A real life example that these tools could be used would be writing an essay for college papers.  When writing different papers for different subjects and audiences, the tone changes. Using the different techniques to gain credibility can be an important decision to make. For example, it might not be appropriate to use humor in a formal paper with a professor who is strict. It also might not work to use emotions with a lighthearted simple subject. Know what tool to use for each scenario can be important.

Visual Arguments: Chapter 14

I chose this chapter because I think visual arguments are very interesting. I am a very visual person and it is easier for me to understand things when they are connected to an image. An example where some other people in the world have the same opinion was in the Kennedy Nixon debate.  It was the first debate to be televised and it definitely had its differences from the previous method, radio. The viewers saw a proud, handsome and confident Kennedy and a feeble pale Nixon and their choice began to follow more on appearance. This is a good example of visual arguments because it proves the point that visual objects have an impact on peoples’ emotions.

Another thing I found interesting was when the chapter talked about colors and fonts effecting peoples’ decisions and emotions. Different fonts such as sans, sans serif, and decorative fonts all are connected with different emotions which can change the way something is read. A formal paper written in Curlz Md might not be as credible or make as much sense because it wont be taken seriously. This can be useful when writing a paper and needing to chose a font.

Something that can help create logos is visual aids such as charts and graphs. This helps the audience see official data in an organized way. It is also more pleasing to the eye and interesting to see something in this way instead of listed or written out. 

I chose this image for a few reasons. First, I love both Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Also because it promotes women's rights. It shows that women can do anything men can, but with a little ummmph! I also thought it was humorous that there are two women are holding large men's underwear, almost implying that they "wear the pants". I thought this was a good example of visual argument, even though it is not an advertisement.

About Me!

Hi my name is Erin Blevins and I am a freshman here at ASU. I am from tempe, but now live in the dorms, Best A. It is small and definitely a change from living in my own room, and not having to share a bathroom, but I love it here. 


This is my first time using any type of blogging site so I'm still a little slow and confused!


My major is architecture, and so far, I love it. I am very creative and enjoy doing things that bring that out. Architecture is perfect for me in that way because I can be creative as well as realistic at the same time. 


Hobbies:

• I work at Abercrombie and Fitch at Chandler mall and have for almost 3 years now. As difficult as it is to work in retail, I love it. 
• I also play guitar. Acoustic mostly but I will occasionally do an electric song. I have played since I was in 7th grade.
• I also love photography. I have a Canon Rebel XTI for those of you who know cameras! My favorite thing to shoot is people. I love to see expressions and emotions in my photographs. To me, all photos should tell a story.