Climate of Complete Certainty Concrete, tangible numbers, percentages, and stats have become the guiding light for our decisions and beliefs. Rather than accept the gray area of uncertainty, we prefer a definitive answer in the form of data: polls, statistics, pie charts. The answers to the world’s major issues are more often being determined by these “certainties.” The increasing reliance on data to dictate our lives is proving to be a problem, as NY Times journalist Bret Stephens points out. Stephens’ April 2017 article “Climate of Complete Certainty” addresses the “limitless faith” the public has in surprisingly limiting data. By using an array of rhetorical tools and compelling arguments, Stephens is able to sway the audience in his favor. …show more content…
An artist—a free thinker. What’s more, instead of accrediting the quote with Milosz’s name, he chooses to close with “An old Jew of Galacia.” Whatever the reason for doing so, the phrase “old Jew” is sure to incite some of emotion from readers. By opening the article with this particular epigraph, Stephens not only displays his familiarity with literature, but also his knowledge of the topic he is about to present, immediately establishing his credibility. With a combination of ethos and pathos, Stephens volleys between two voices: one being fairly informal, almost conversational; and the other, more structured, with extended sentences, standardized syntax, and frilly verbiage. Stephens explains that “authority has a way of descending to certitude, and certitude begets hubris.” Rather than simply saying that authority generates arrogance, he chooses to use 10-point words. Stephens shifts between gears from paragraph to paragraph, giving the entire article an addictive readability. He does so in such a subtle way that, unless having read more than once, would be indistinguishable from the tone of the rest of his article. This methodical manipulation is so seamless that it’s disarming—leaving the audience open to persuasion. With this method he establishes both credibility, tone, and
The second section talks about account since World War II opposes speculation: It is to a great degree different and multifaceted. It has been vitalized by universal streams, for example, European existentialism and Latin American mysterious authenticity, while the electronic period has brought the worldwide town. The talked word on TV has given new life to oral custom. Oral types, media, and pop culture have progressively affected story.
On April 26, 1983, Matthew N. Fraser (Respondent), a student at Bethel High School in Bethel, Washington, delivered a speech nominating a fellow student for student elective office. Approximately 600 High School students were in attendance, many of whom were 14 years old, the assembly was a part of a school sponsored educational program in self government. Students were required to either attend or go to study hall during the assembly. Prior to reciting the speech, Fraser sought guidance from two teachers, who both informed him that the speech may be seen as lewd and improper, as well as met with potentially severe repercussions. During his entire speech: I know a man who is firm — he’s firm in his pants, he’s firm in his shirt, his character is firm — but most… of all, his belief in you, the students of Bethel, is firm.
Jay Heinrichs beautifully transforms these approaches to rhetoric into a way that make sense today. From examples using celebrities, political powers, humor, and intellectual banter, Heinrichs truly encompasses the real art of persuasion in a way that complies with modern times, therefore proving the books continued use without a
Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild investigates the life and adventures of Chris McCandless. The author provides information about Chris’ life to illuminate his journey. Krakauer also uses rhetorical appeals to defend Chris’ rationale for his journey. Through Krakauer’s use of pathos, ethos, and logos, he persuades the audience that Chris is not foolish; however, Krakauer’s intimacy with Chris and his adventures inhibits his objectivity.
Narrator and Sara’s Tone In Anzia Yezierska 's Bread Givers of 1952, a family of immigrant parents living in poverty in the ghetto of New York City struggle to survive. Sara and the narrator both had an awestruck tone towards Max. No matter who was talking, they speak so kind and fondly about Max. Besides their similarities, there were many differences in speed and purpose. When Sara was speaking, she had a very hasty tone where her words were repetitive and scattered.
Public opinion polls are really common today. It is true that the public opinion polls are a kind of inductive generalization. As inductive generalizations, some arguments are strong while some others are weak. It cannot be denied that the arguments have to be strong so that the conclusion is cogent. According to Russell Renka, a professor of political science at Southeast Missouri State University, in order for the polls to be strong, “the questions must be worded in a clear and neutral fashion”, “ the subjects in the sample must be randomly selected”, and “the survey or poll must be sufficiently large that the built-in sampling error is reasonably small”(Renka 2).
Barry Glassner’s Culture of Fear identifies the fear that media gives us about problems that don't exist. They manipulate statistics and stories to get the result that they want- to buy their paper or watch their news because they have the most sensational stories. This inevitably earns them the most money and ratings. Glassner used the accurate statistics and the real stories that the news stations didn't use because then you would see how unnecessary they really are. They manipulate the truth so you become dependent on them for helpful tips about how to avoid these new dangers.
From 1966 to 1981 San Antonio, Texas, was a segregated city ruled by Anglos and important business people. The people who lived in the west and south sides of this city fell under housing. Gangs were really popular and broke out frequently. Then farm workers broke out in the strike and marched through the city’s streets forming a movement to get rid of the Anglos who took advantage of them. David Montejano, in this book, uses sources that are not open to anyone unless asked for.
Rhetorical Situation The rhetorical situation hides in the shadows of literacy in all respects. To average readers, it does not come into the light. An accomplished and active reader sees through the haze to reveal the beautiful blend of literacy. Context, author, audience, and subject comprise
I will admit, this DQ question had me confused for quite some time before I started to grasp the basic concept of the three persuasive appeals of “Logos, Pathos, and Ethos”. I believe my problem was that I was over thinking it, which caused additional frustration and time to complete the assignment. In any event, here is my take of the three persuasive appeals: Ethos Ethos is one of the methods described by Aristotle to validate the author's creditability, charisma, and character. This is an important concept to use to verify that the material is written by a professional in a specifically designated field of their choice.
n today’s society the internet plays a huge role in the everyday lives of many people, therefore many individuals’ main form of communication is over sites like Facebook, and twitter. In Malcolm Gladwell’s essay, “Small Change, Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted,” he explores the different methods used by activists nowadays versus those used by the activists in the 1960s. Gladwell argues that social media is not an effective tool to initiate revolutionary movements or any change at all for that matter, based off its weak ties formed over different social networks. Gladwell illustrates multiple cases of protests and adds that without the assistance of social media, these protests were stronger, prearranged and based off deeper emotional ties. Throughout the article Gladwell continuously returns to the Civil rights movement and why it was effective.
“Ode to Joy (and Sadness, and Anger)” 1. Write a one-paragraph summary of Scotts review, being sure to identify his criteria for evaluation and the extent to which he claims the movie did or did not satisfy them. In his review, “Ode to Joy (and Sadness, and Anger)”, Scott describes the film Inside Out. He claims that what makes the film so popular and groundbreaking is the connection it has to the audience.
In conclusion, Dana Gioia applies vocabulary and rhetorical appeals to actively influence his audience to agree to his argument. Furthermore, connecting his audience to the subject and inspiring them to help his issues and understand his
The Influence of Technology In the essay, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Nicholas Carr argues that utilization of the internet has an adverse effect on our way of thinking and functioning in everyday life. Whether it be reading a newspaper, or scrolling through Facebook, internet media has forever stamped its name in our existence. Carr explains to us that the internet is a tool used every single day in today’s society, but also makes most of us complacent with the ease of having the world at our fingertips.
In a national radio address on February 23, 1934, highly acclaimed politician Huey Long conveyed a powerful message through his speech “Every Man a King” in which he addressed the politically corrupt American government. The unveiling of Long’s “Share Our Wealth” plan, a program designed to provide decent standards of living to all American citizens by spreading the nation’s wealth among the people, effectively revealed his radically Populist ideologies despite lacking a definitive analysis of how redistribution would work or even how it would change the structural order of power. In fact, the concepts professed by Long alarmingly resemble authoritarianism and are supported by the inclusion of various argumentative and rhetorical tactics. Ultimately,