I spent the day with my grandpa. He is a wonderful man, and I have the greatest respect for him. My 16-year-old puppy, Chloe, lives at my grandpa’s house. Chloe, is an old-lady, but she still looks supper-cute, she is a pocket-size beagle. My grandpa and Chloe are in the same stage in life, and they have many things in common. Most their day is spent napping, with occasional meals, and once in a while a walk around the block. Ironically, Chloe has lost most her hearing, just like grandpa. It is almost impossible to wake either of these two companions, especially on a sunny day like today.
Walking into grandpa’s house today was quite amusing. I rang the doorbell, no answer. I knocked on the door, no answer. I hopped over the fence and peaked into the back window; inside I saw Chloe curled up in a blanket, and grandpa snoozing in his lounge chair. I knocked on the window, no response. I tried yelling, not even a wiggle of a toe. Time to get out the hidden key, and so I helped myself into the house.
This is when amusing, turned into exciting. I walked all the way up to grandpa, and finally after a few good pokes on the arm, he jerked up in shock. “Whoa, where did you come from?” he asked. Grandpa was in complete shock as I startled him awake. Meanwhile Chloe lay peacefully snoozing just feet away.
Together grandpa and I decided to wake the dog, but in a creative way – like always. We grabbed a little dog threat and stuck it directly in front of her nose. Waiting…waiting…nothing. Not even a twitch of her nose. After a few good long minuets, we gave up and touched little Chloe’s ear, bringing her into a complete stage of shock and confusion. So, the day began. Followed by lunch, a nap in the sun, a snack, and falling asleep to the news.
Just an average day with grandpa and Chloe, enjoying the simple things in life: sleeping, eating, and attempting to communicate. It was a great day!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Book Publishing
During Tom Sumner’s lecture on book publishing my mind was ticking along, generating a chain of ideas. My dad enjoys writing and he has been published in a variety of historical magazines and books. I have seen the process of how his articles cycling through editing and eventually publishing, and it always looked complicated. Something I never thought I could or would want to do.
Well, while Tom was speaking I though back through those memories, back in the good-ol’ days when we had a type-writer with all the fancy bells and whistles. Dad would pick on the keys, one word at a time until it was finished. Weeks later, a marked-up copy would appear in the mail, and dad was back to square 1. However, now that I think about it, dad still has articles reaching publication, and there is no evidence of his publishing process. I realized it is all online. With Track-Changes and email, getting published is almost a breeze.
Tom demonstrated of the key tools used in the publication process. Book publishing is very different from magazine, newspaper, and other forms of monthly publications. There are new alternatives with book publication, like Amazon which can print at a moment’s notice the exact quantity ordered – granted they are taking more of the writer’s money. The accessibility of internet and communication seems to speed everything up, and anyone can write and be published.
This reminded me of a new train of thought. A distant cousin of mine recently published a book called “How to Talk Like a Pirate.” It was printed in between the making of the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean movies, so the book sold like hotcakes. However, for anyone who actually read the book, it was all BS. No research went into this book. It was just written by two retired seamen who caught a good breeze leading into the publishing business. If it sells let’s do it. So they did, and with success wrote a second book about nothing useful, that sold like the syrup on the hotcakes.
All in all, I will keep my mind open to the idea of publishing, and I enjoyed Tom’s lecture on publishing a book. Maybe someday, I too will write and get published.
Well, while Tom was speaking I though back through those memories, back in the good-ol’ days when we had a type-writer with all the fancy bells and whistles. Dad would pick on the keys, one word at a time until it was finished. Weeks later, a marked-up copy would appear in the mail, and dad was back to square 1. However, now that I think about it, dad still has articles reaching publication, and there is no evidence of his publishing process. I realized it is all online. With Track-Changes and email, getting published is almost a breeze.
Tom demonstrated of the key tools used in the publication process. Book publishing is very different from magazine, newspaper, and other forms of monthly publications. There are new alternatives with book publication, like Amazon which can print at a moment’s notice the exact quantity ordered – granted they are taking more of the writer’s money. The accessibility of internet and communication seems to speed everything up, and anyone can write and be published.
This reminded me of a new train of thought. A distant cousin of mine recently published a book called “How to Talk Like a Pirate.” It was printed in between the making of the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean movies, so the book sold like hotcakes. However, for anyone who actually read the book, it was all BS. No research went into this book. It was just written by two retired seamen who caught a good breeze leading into the publishing business. If it sells let’s do it. So they did, and with success wrote a second book about nothing useful, that sold like the syrup on the hotcakes.
All in all, I will keep my mind open to the idea of publishing, and I enjoyed Tom’s lecture on publishing a book. Maybe someday, I too will write and get published.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Movie Review
I enjoyed the movie we watched in class called The Persuaders. I thought the arguments and information was very relevant. I especially enjoyed the “Marketing Guru”, and “Political Word Emphasizer.” The key message I got from the video was that consumers can’t express their wands and they can be easily persuaded. I think the Marketing Guru’s main argument was that the unexpressed wants of consumers is not something you can correctly guess, but their wants can be satisfied and highly influenced by marketers. An example in the movie was although buying “green” is better for the environment, this does not satisfy the wants of the consumers. Like buying an expensive, gas-guzzzler HUMMER, vs. a small affordable eco friendly car. I believe marketers can see this minor-wants of the consumers to feel powerful, yet they can heighten the individuals wants and encourage them to buy bigger/more.
My analyses is for a kid given the choice between a candy-bar or apple. They will chose the candy-bar. The apple is obviously healthier, often cheaper, and better for the environment (less packaging), but the sweet candy bar has a positive emotional connection. Candy is usually given as a reward for good behavior to kids, and in general a good memory association. There is a emotional level attached with a good piece of candy, due to marketing the packages and advertisements. SNICKERS: HUNGRY, WHY WAIT. KIT-KAT bar, break me of a piece of your Kit-Kat bar, etc.
The candy was more appealing and involves an emotional connection with “happiness”. You need the apple for your good health, but you want the tasty good candy. The benefit of the good memory, overweigh the detriments of sweet-bad for you candy.
My analyses is for a kid given the choice between a candy-bar or apple. They will chose the candy-bar. The apple is obviously healthier, often cheaper, and better for the environment (less packaging), but the sweet candy bar has a positive emotional connection. Candy is usually given as a reward for good behavior to kids, and in general a good memory association. There is a emotional level attached with a good piece of candy, due to marketing the packages and advertisements. SNICKERS: HUNGRY, WHY WAIT. KIT-KAT bar, break me of a piece of your Kit-Kat bar, etc.
The candy was more appealing and involves an emotional connection with “happiness”. You need the apple for your good health, but you want the tasty good candy. The benefit of the good memory, overweigh the detriments of sweet-bad for you candy.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Recent Rhetoric Responces
Well, I have noticed rhetoric all over the place. I have to say, when the Toyota commercials both on T.V. and on the radio come on my brain connects to an alarm that says “RHETORIC.” I associate all Toyota commercials with this English class, which has become very annoying. I’m getting really tired of seeing and hearing the Toyota jingle and cars. However, sure enough all the ads are well rounded with ethos and pathos.
A few weeks ago, I went with my mom to Clark College. She needed her transcript from the 70’s to be adjusted so that the credits were compatible to the new state-wide system. The advisor helping us had to write a memorandum/letter to my mom’s work clarifying the recent change of credits. Long story short, the advisor had no idea how to write this letter. I helped her with the general format, and together we built logos and ethos into the body of the paragraph. Although, this was a short letter, it had a large influence on my mom’s transcript.
After the guest speaker from KOIN News 6 came to our class, I have specifically noticed the content of the news media. The news anchors emphasize pathos in the news blips at the beginning of each hour. Similar to what we talked about in class, if you’re trying to get people interested you need to get people captivated from the start. I’ve noticed the best and most common way the news does this is using emotional connections – pathos, especially in the headlines. Throughout the main features the anchors then talk about the credibility and who their sources are – building ethos. Of course with that follows the facts and dates – logos. The news stories always seem short, but they are filled with substance and content, yet often repetitive of the headline itself.
A few weeks ago, I went with my mom to Clark College. She needed her transcript from the 70’s to be adjusted so that the credits were compatible to the new state-wide system. The advisor helping us had to write a memorandum/letter to my mom’s work clarifying the recent change of credits. Long story short, the advisor had no idea how to write this letter. I helped her with the general format, and together we built logos and ethos into the body of the paragraph. Although, this was a short letter, it had a large influence on my mom’s transcript.
After the guest speaker from KOIN News 6 came to our class, I have specifically noticed the content of the news media. The news anchors emphasize pathos in the news blips at the beginning of each hour. Similar to what we talked about in class, if you’re trying to get people interested you need to get people captivated from the start. I’ve noticed the best and most common way the news does this is using emotional connections – pathos, especially in the headlines. Throughout the main features the anchors then talk about the credibility and who their sources are – building ethos. Of course with that follows the facts and dates – logos. The news stories always seem short, but they are filled with substance and content, yet often repetitive of the headline itself.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
English Writing Exercise: Technical Instructions
I looked over John Park's technical writing exercise, and overall the format looks great!
In #1 I would suggest using parentheses around the second sentence because it is not direct instructions.
I think #2 could be merged into one sentence, and replace the word “From” with “Starting at.”
After that, everything flows really well, and is direct.
Here is my technical writing exercise:
English Writing Exercise: Technical Instructions
In #1 I would suggest using parentheses around the second sentence because it is not direct instructions.
I think #2 could be merged into one sentence, and replace the word “From” with “Starting at.”
After that, everything flows really well, and is direct.
Here is my technical writing exercise:
English Writing Exercise: Technical Instructions
Friday, February 5, 2010
Rhetoric…written by me? YES!
This weekend I set out to accomplish a new task. It’s a bit out of my element, but I am going out into the world, well into a few small businesses in Vancouver, and I am going to ask for donations. I am well aware that this will be a challenge due to the economy, no one wants to donate, but that is not the challenge today. I must go it alone, and with no preparation on how to approach the Top-Dog manager-type people.
I’m the lead for the Vancouver American Heart Walk, which doesn’t take place until the end of May, but in preparation for the event I need to get prizes for the participants. In order to do this I had to start with a letter of explanation of the event and the request for donations. I was expecting to receive a generic letter written by the American Heart Association that I could just copy and bulk-send to every one, but this letter never came. So, I had to write my own. Hence I needed a little rhetoric to help me out. I want these small business managers to see that I logos, ethos, and pathos with the hope that they see I am trustworthy, responsible and in need of their support.
The logos was easy to portray, because I know the exact date of the event, and the history of funds and participants we have received last year. An important logo in this circumstance was getting the tax-exempt number, all donations need to be tracked with the IRS and no one would donate without this little phone number.
Ethos is a bit of a curve ball in this situation, the American Heart Association is well recognized, but because they did not give any official letter or stationary I had to create my own. I added the emblem of the AHA to add a sense of visual ethos to my letter. However, I am only a volunteer for this organization, so I do not have a business card, official email address or special phone number with the organization to signify that I am creditable with the AHA. I ended the letter with my own personal info, and “position/status” in the hopes that this will be accepted as an honorable title for the AHA.
Lastly, pathos is near impossible to portray in this letter. I could have mentioned that my sister died of a heart disease, but it seems far too personal to write in form asking for money. I am choosing to rely on the fact that proceeds go towards the #1 killer in OR and WA. I feel that with plenty of logos, some ethos, and a smidgen of pathos I will in the clearing, and receive donations to benefit this event.
Oh! On a side note, I totally used the format in the book for letters on page 530 to write the following:
1200 NW Naito Parkway #220
Portland, OR 97209
February 5, 2010
(NAME OF BUSINESS AND ADDRESS GOES HERE)
The American Heart Association will be holding the 2010 Greater Portland Start! Heart & Stroke Walk on Saturday May 22, 2010. This event takes place in Portland, OR, at the Vera Katz East Bank Esplanade, and in Vancouver, WA, at the Vancouver Landing. Proceeds go towards fighting the leading killer in Oregon & SW Washington. Last year this event raised more than $500,000, and more than 6,000 walkers participated. As a thank you and reward for the top fundraisers, the American Heart Association is looking for donations to be given away as prizes to the leading participants.
On the day of the event, Saturday May 22, there is also a need for entertainment, including hosts to display event tables. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. The American Heart Association tax exempt telephone number is 877-829-5500.
Thank you,
Jenny Mockford
Committee Lead for Vancouver Heart & Stroke Walk
(360) 241-XXXX
jenn7g4@hotmail.com
This weekend I set out to accomplish a new task. It’s a bit out of my element, but I am going out into the world, well into a few small businesses in Vancouver, and I am going to ask for donations. I am well aware that this will be a challenge due to the economy, no one wants to donate, but that is not the challenge today. I must go it alone, and with no preparation on how to approach the Top-Dog manager-type people.
I’m the lead for the Vancouver American Heart Walk, which doesn’t take place until the end of May, but in preparation for the event I need to get prizes for the participants. In order to do this I had to start with a letter of explanation of the event and the request for donations. I was expecting to receive a generic letter written by the American Heart Association that I could just copy and bulk-send to every one, but this letter never came. So, I had to write my own. Hence I needed a little rhetoric to help me out. I want these small business managers to see that I logos, ethos, and pathos with the hope that they see I am trustworthy, responsible and in need of their support.
The logos was easy to portray, because I know the exact date of the event, and the history of funds and participants we have received last year. An important logo in this circumstance was getting the tax-exempt number, all donations need to be tracked with the IRS and no one would donate without this little phone number.
Ethos is a bit of a curve ball in this situation, the American Heart Association is well recognized, but because they did not give any official letter or stationary I had to create my own. I added the emblem of the AHA to add a sense of visual ethos to my letter. However, I am only a volunteer for this organization, so I do not have a business card, official email address or special phone number with the organization to signify that I am creditable with the AHA. I ended the letter with my own personal info, and “position/status” in the hopes that this will be accepted as an honorable title for the AHA.
Lastly, pathos is near impossible to portray in this letter. I could have mentioned that my sister died of a heart disease, but it seems far too personal to write in form asking for money. I am choosing to rely on the fact that proceeds go towards the #1 killer in OR and WA. I feel that with plenty of logos, some ethos, and a smidgen of pathos I will in the clearing, and receive donations to benefit this event.
Oh! On a side note, I totally used the format in the book for letters on page 530 to write the following:
1200 NW Naito Parkway #220
Portland, OR 97209
February 5, 2010
(NAME OF BUSINESS AND ADDRESS GOES HERE)
The American Heart Association will be holding the 2010 Greater Portland Start! Heart & Stroke Walk on Saturday May 22, 2010. This event takes place in Portland, OR, at the Vera Katz East Bank Esplanade, and in Vancouver, WA, at the Vancouver Landing. Proceeds go towards fighting the leading killer in Oregon & SW Washington. Last year this event raised more than $500,000, and more than 6,000 walkers participated. As a thank you and reward for the top fundraisers, the American Heart Association is looking for donations to be given away as prizes to the leading participants.
On the day of the event, Saturday May 22, there is also a need for entertainment, including hosts to display event tables. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. The American Heart Association tax exempt telephone number is 877-829-5500.
Thank you,
Jenny Mockford
Committee Lead for Vancouver Heart & Stroke Walk
(360) 241-XXXX
jenn7g4@hotmail.com
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