WATCO: Divorce on future happiness?
Claim: Divorce hurts the chance for future happiness because divorce makes people take on life’s challenges alone rather than with someone to help them.
Implicit Assumption: Whatever makes people take on life’s challenges alone also hurts their chance for future happiness.
President Faust’s argument that divorce is a deceptively easy way to make life more difficult is full of facts and experience. Many people believe that getting a divorce is a way to put marital and life struggles behind them, but according to President Faust this line of reasoning is false. He cites his many years of experience as a lawyer and other capacities working closely with people as evidence of this. He is extremely credible, and what he has to say agrees with the results of many studies on divorce. He notes that, statistically speaking, about half of married couples in the United States will eventually get divorced, but that does not necessarily make them happier. He focuses on the emotionally stability that comes with being part of the partnership that is marriage. As hard as marriage is sometimes, it is easier than going through life alone. He outlines several ways that couples can strengthen their marriage and get through the hard times without resorting to divorce. He notes the spiritual characteristics of praying together, showing trust and virtue, paying tithing, and focusing on parenthood as a way to strengthen each other. His counsel is nothing new, but it is through the simple things that progress is made and relationships become stronger.
I feel that President Faust’s talk on Divorce is very persuasive. The ideals he encourages are not difficult to do, but will nonetheless make an extreme difference in the lives of people who put them to practice. He is very knowledgeable and his advice can be trusted.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Technique Analysis – Practicing Enthymemes
WATCO: Getting divorced on future relationships?
Claim: Getting a divorce does not improve your chance at having fulfilling future relationships because getting a divorce does not help you learn to overcome problems and obstacles.
Implicit Assumption: Whatever does not help you learn to overcome problems and obstacles also does not improve your chance at having fulfilling future relationships.
Audience: Couples who are considering getting a divorce
Sometimes divorce is the best option, but more often than not people could work through their struggles if they showed more dedication and put in more effort. Many people get divorced because they have differences that seem insurmountable. Divorce is a very short-sighted fix to this problem, as the two people involved do not learn how to overcome their differences. Chances are that the next relationship they enter into will confront them with differences as well. Studies have shown that people who work through their trials (even though this is very difficult sometimes) are much happier five years later than people who have chosen to get a divorce.
Claim: Getting a divorce does not improve your chance at having fulfilling future relationships because getting a divorce does not help you learn to overcome problems and obstacles.
Implicit Assumption: Whatever does not help you learn to overcome problems and obstacles also does not improve your chance at having fulfilling future relationships.
Audience: Couples who are considering getting a divorce
Sometimes divorce is the best option, but more often than not people could work through their struggles if they showed more dedication and put in more effort. Many people get divorced because they have differences that seem insurmountable. Divorce is a very short-sighted fix to this problem, as the two people involved do not learn how to overcome their differences. Chances are that the next relationship they enter into will confront them with differences as well. Studies have shown that people who work through their trials (even though this is very difficult sometimes) are much happier five years later than people who have chosen to get a divorce.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Technique Analysis - Enthymeme & Introduction
WATCO: Giving student-athletes preferential treatment on the academic integrity of a university?
Claim: Giving student-athletes preferential treatment diminishes the academic integrity of a university because affording student-athletes easy access to academic tutoring and counseling gives them learning opportunities that other students don't have.
Implicit Assumption: Whatever gives student athletes learning opportunities that other students don't have diminishes the academic integrity of a university.
Audience: The university president (President Samuelson) and Board of Directors at Brigham Young University
Introduction: Sports are a prominent pastime in American history and an important part of campus life across the country. Big-time college sports are an important money-maker for large universities, and the student-athletes that make the teams successful often occupy center stage and draw attention from the media, fellow students and faculty members on campus. Some experts claim that the same sports that bring in millions of dollars and thousands of new students every year have an adverse effect on the integrity of the university because of the preferential treatment placed on the athletes involved. Others would claim that the athletes deserve the attention and that sports have the positive effect of attracting incoming freshmen and building school pride and unity. The question is how far are universities willing to go to help their student-athletes succeed both on the field and in the classroom?
Claim: Giving student-athletes preferential treatment diminishes the academic integrity of a university because affording student-athletes easy access to academic tutoring and counseling gives them learning opportunities that other students don't have.
Implicit Assumption: Whatever gives student athletes learning opportunities that other students don't have diminishes the academic integrity of a university.
Audience: The university president (President Samuelson) and Board of Directors at Brigham Young University
Introduction: Sports are a prominent pastime in American history and an important part of campus life across the country. Big-time college sports are an important money-maker for large universities, and the student-athletes that make the teams successful often occupy center stage and draw attention from the media, fellow students and faculty members on campus. Some experts claim that the same sports that bring in millions of dollars and thousands of new students every year have an adverse effect on the integrity of the university because of the preferential treatment placed on the athletes involved. Others would claim that the athletes deserve the attention and that sports have the positive effect of attracting incoming freshmen and building school pride and unity. The question is how far are universities willing to go to help their student-athletes succeed both on the field and in the classroom?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Rhetorical Analysis – “Hate Me” by Blue October
Of all the songs I could have picked, “Hate Me” is probably one of the more depressing choices. This is not to say it a bad song, because I think it is a very good song. It has a strong beat and the lyrics are beautiful in highlighting the far-reaching effects of people’s actions.
"Hate Me" Music Video (Warning: The lead singer is kind of crazy in the music video. Oh well.)
WATCO: Unhealthy habits on important relationships?
Claim: Unhealthy habits ruin important relationships because drinking and doing drugs put unnecessary burdens on people you love.
Audience: The singer's mother
This song is about a mother/son relationship, and starts out with the singer listening to a voicemail from his mom. The lyrics are an apology by the singer, who wants what is best for his mom but also knows that his actions have prevented her from being happy a lot of the time. Even though his mom has always been there to help him and pick him up when he fell, he feels like the damage from all the bad things he has done is irreparable. His solution is that it would be easier to just break ties and end the relationship, because that way his mom would no longer have to deal with the sadness he causes her to feel. Relationships, however, are difficult things to sever because of the deep emotions involved. Love is a very strong bond, so he feels that if she hates him then parting ways will not be as difficult.
“Hate me today. Hate me tomorrow. Hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you…Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you.”
This song is about self-reflection and realizing that your actions affect everyone around you, especially those who care about you. It is important to be careful with the emotions and feelings of those you love, because you never know what the future has in store.
"Hate Me" Music Video (Warning: The lead singer is kind of crazy in the music video. Oh well.)
WATCO: Unhealthy habits on important relationships?
Claim: Unhealthy habits ruin important relationships because drinking and doing drugs put unnecessary burdens on people you love.
Audience: The singer's mother
This song is about a mother/son relationship, and starts out with the singer listening to a voicemail from his mom. The lyrics are an apology by the singer, who wants what is best for his mom but also knows that his actions have prevented her from being happy a lot of the time. Even though his mom has always been there to help him and pick him up when he fell, he feels like the damage from all the bad things he has done is irreparable. His solution is that it would be easier to just break ties and end the relationship, because that way his mom would no longer have to deal with the sadness he causes her to feel. Relationships, however, are difficult things to sever because of the deep emotions involved. Love is a very strong bond, so he feels that if she hates him then parting ways will not be as difficult.
“Hate me today. Hate me tomorrow. Hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you…Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you.”
This song is about self-reflection and realizing that your actions affect everyone around you, especially those who care about you. It is important to be careful with the emotions and feelings of those you love, because you never know what the future has in store.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Free Writing – The Nicklecade Experience
Not all people enjoy the Nicklecade, but I’m a fan. Growing up, arcades always seemed like a waste of money to me, and my parents obviously concurred because I can’t remember one instance of them taking us there to let loose. 25 cents (or 50 cents in some cases) was a pretty steep price to pay for a minute or two of fleeting entertainment.
Now, though, the Nickelcade provides a great opportunity to have some kid-style fun at one-fifth the normal price. My wife and I made a night of it on Friday (for an hour and a half that is) and had a great time. I swept the motorcycle and car racing games while she humbled me at “Dance, Dance Revolution.” I was close though. We also hit up the game where you smack the frogs as fast as you can, because that one gave us the most tickets, which is a very important part of going to the Nickelcade. We had 194 tickets at the end of the night. All in all we spent about $10 and came away with two fake-tattoos, a rope of Laffy-Taffy, a little plastic lizard (Steph loves amphibians of any kind), and one of those complex pocket mazes with the little steel ball – quite a haul for the evening. This is all in addition, mind you, to the fun we had escaping the stresses of school and work and acting like kids again.
So for those who are turned off to the idea of spending a bit of time at the Nickelcade, I suggest that you throw caution to the wind and give it a try. You’ll thank me afterwards.
Now, though, the Nickelcade provides a great opportunity to have some kid-style fun at one-fifth the normal price. My wife and I made a night of it on Friday (for an hour and a half that is) and had a great time. I swept the motorcycle and car racing games while she humbled me at “Dance, Dance Revolution.” I was close though. We also hit up the game where you smack the frogs as fast as you can, because that one gave us the most tickets, which is a very important part of going to the Nickelcade. We had 194 tickets at the end of the night. All in all we spent about $10 and came away with two fake-tattoos, a rope of Laffy-Taffy, a little plastic lizard (Steph loves amphibians of any kind), and one of those complex pocket mazes with the little steel ball – quite a haul for the evening. This is all in addition, mind you, to the fun we had escaping the stresses of school and work and acting like kids again.
So for those who are turned off to the idea of spending a bit of time at the Nickelcade, I suggest that you throw caution to the wind and give it a try. You’ll thank me afterwards.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Technique Analysis – Practicing Introductions
Sports are a prominent pastime in American history and a popular hobby for millions of Americans today. Sports play many roles in today’s complex society, one of which is held at the university level. College sports is a huge money-maker for large universities, but some experts claim that the same sports that bring in millions of dollars and thousands of new students every year have an adverse effect on the educational level of universities. Others would claim that sports have the positive effect of attracting incoming freshmen and building school pride and unity. It is certain that large universities sacrifice a lot for their sports teams, but the question is how far they will go to find success on the playing fields.
Sports represent one of the world’s most popular pastimes, and yet what we call sports in our society is very different from what sports used to be. Sports started out as a way people proved their worth and status, both physically and financially. While this is partially the case today, our society puts a higher premium on the advertising space associated with large sporting events that on the actual events themselves. Today’s fans are not simply fans, but consumers participating in commercialized activities that suck them of their money and love of the sports they’ve grown up with.
Sports represent one of the world’s most popular pastimes, and yet what we call sports in our society is very different from what sports used to be. Sports started out as a way people proved their worth and status, both physically and financially. While this is partially the case today, our society puts a higher premium on the advertising space associated with large sporting events that on the actual events themselves. Today’s fans are not simply fans, but consumers participating in commercialized activities that suck them of their money and love of the sports they’ve grown up with.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Review of "Beer and Circus," by Murray Sperber
In Beer and Circus, Murray Sperber argues that the level of education of major universities in the United States is quickly deteriorating. He argues that big-time college sports play a large roll in this decline.
WATCO: Big-time College sports on the level of education at large universities?
Claim: Big-time College sports hurt the level of education at large universities because the focus on socializing and partying distracts students from their studies.
Audience: Critics of modern higher education who ignore the student population in the reviews and critiques.
Sperber is very persuasive in his arguments against college sports. First, he is a highly credible writer, having published numerous books about similar subjects. He has also been an English Professor at Indiana University for the past three decades or so. His book appeals to anyone who is frustrated with the state of modern education, citing large class sizes and high tuition (among other things) as components of modern student life. Students, parents and critics all feel frustration at these trends. His research is very extensive, and he provides sufficient evidence of his claims throughout the book. One area in which his argument is unique, however, is in relation to other critics’ views of education today. Many critiques focus on the university presidents and professors, but spend little time on the students. He feels that the students are the key to a university and makes his argument from their perspective. Though different, this view is effective in his argument.
Beer and Circus is an intriguing book. Though it does not read like a novel, the subject matter is interesting and very thorough. Sperber makes his argument well and relates sports to educational failures in ways many people have not even considered.
WATCO: Big-time College sports on the level of education at large universities?
Claim: Big-time College sports hurt the level of education at large universities because the focus on socializing and partying distracts students from their studies.
Audience: Critics of modern higher education who ignore the student population in the reviews and critiques.
Sperber is very persuasive in his arguments against college sports. First, he is a highly credible writer, having published numerous books about similar subjects. He has also been an English Professor at Indiana University for the past three decades or so. His book appeals to anyone who is frustrated with the state of modern education, citing large class sizes and high tuition (among other things) as components of modern student life. Students, parents and critics all feel frustration at these trends. His research is very extensive, and he provides sufficient evidence of his claims throughout the book. One area in which his argument is unique, however, is in relation to other critics’ views of education today. Many critiques focus on the university presidents and professors, but spend little time on the students. He feels that the students are the key to a university and makes his argument from their perspective. Though different, this view is effective in his argument.
Beer and Circus is an intriguing book. Though it does not read like a novel, the subject matter is interesting and very thorough. Sperber makes his argument well and relates sports to educational failures in ways many people have not even considered.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Free Writing – Grandpa Bagley
My Grandpa Bagley went to the hospital today to have a minor surgery done to help his tear ducts drain properly, but 20 minutes into the operation his heart stopped beating. Thanks to modern medical technology and proficient doctors my grandpa is still alive tonight. He is in the ICU, and they will spend tomorrow monitoring him and doing tests on his heart, but he is alive. I’ve never had anybody close to me die before, and the news this morning that my grandpa might not make it came as a shock. My grandpa is getting old and his health isn’t what it once was, but he’s always been around and it is hard to imagine what life would be like with him gone. I guess you just never really know when tragic things are going to happen, so it’s difficult to be prepared when they do. My family has bonded together today through a constant exchange of phone calls and text messages, and we have been able to comfort each other through a roller-coaster of emotions. I guess the thing that I realized most today is how often I take meaningful relationships for granted. I’m surrounded each day by people who make my life wonderful. I don’t know what I would do if I lost my wife or someone in my immediate family, but I do know that from now on I’ll do a better job of loving them while I still can.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Rhetorical Analysis – Buying a Suit
I had heard that Mr. Mac’s was having a special sale this last week, so I recruited my brother to go with me (for moral support and to give me someone to talk to) to the mall and check out what they were offering. It turned out that their deals weren’t so special after all, but that didn’t keep Ryan (that was the salesman’s name) from trying to get me to buy something I didn’t really want.
WATCO: Buying a suit on my sense of self-fulfillment?
Claim: Buying a suit will increase my sense of self-fulfillment because buying a suit will help me to look stylish and professional.
Implicit Assumption: Whatever helps me look stylish and professional will also increase my sense of self-fulfillment.
Audience = Me
Ryan used several different techniques in his attempt to persuade me to purchase a suit, or socks, or pretty much anything else from the store. First of all, he presented himself well. He let us browse for a bit before asking if there was anything specific that we were looking for. I hate it when salesmen jump on you the second you walk through the door. He was also dressed very nice in a dark blue suit with a light blue pinstriped shirt and yellow tie. His appearance gave him credibility that he actually knew how to dress stylishly and pick out clothes that matched. I feel that these are very important traits for a suit salesman. This is about where the positive things ended, however, because he started being very pushy after the initial greeting. Instead of bringing out the suit I was considering, he brought out five completely different styles. I still can’t figure out why he did this. Maybe he had other issues he was dealing with at the time, but he just didn’t really seem to listen to what I was saying, and he wasn’t particularly nice about it. His whole attitude seemed to be, “Our suits are very nice, so you should pay lots of money for them without complaining about it.” It may not be his fault that the store wasn’t having a very good sale, but there was no way I was going to spend $300 for a new suit. I’m cheap, and he didn’t help me overcome that concern very well. The best deal he could think to offer was to give me $15 off a new shirt if I were to purchase the $350 suit. That’s it? He didn’t try to build any emotional or logical connection between me and the suit(s) he was offering, and while his arguments were sufficient, typical and accurate – that is, he knew his stuff when it came to suits – nothing he said was relevant to how I was feeling.
As you can tell, Ryan was completely unsuccessful at selling me a suit. I expect people who are paid on commission to be pushy and maybe a bit cranky sometimes, but he just seemed to be off his game when I came in. His complete lack of regard for what I wanted turned me off to the idea of buying a suit from him.
WATCO: Buying a suit on my sense of self-fulfillment?
Claim: Buying a suit will increase my sense of self-fulfillment because buying a suit will help me to look stylish and professional.
Implicit Assumption: Whatever helps me look stylish and professional will also increase my sense of self-fulfillment.
Audience = Me
Ryan used several different techniques in his attempt to persuade me to purchase a suit, or socks, or pretty much anything else from the store. First of all, he presented himself well. He let us browse for a bit before asking if there was anything specific that we were looking for. I hate it when salesmen jump on you the second you walk through the door. He was also dressed very nice in a dark blue suit with a light blue pinstriped shirt and yellow tie. His appearance gave him credibility that he actually knew how to dress stylishly and pick out clothes that matched. I feel that these are very important traits for a suit salesman. This is about where the positive things ended, however, because he started being very pushy after the initial greeting. Instead of bringing out the suit I was considering, he brought out five completely different styles. I still can’t figure out why he did this. Maybe he had other issues he was dealing with at the time, but he just didn’t really seem to listen to what I was saying, and he wasn’t particularly nice about it. His whole attitude seemed to be, “Our suits are very nice, so you should pay lots of money for them without complaining about it.” It may not be his fault that the store wasn’t having a very good sale, but there was no way I was going to spend $300 for a new suit. I’m cheap, and he didn’t help me overcome that concern very well. The best deal he could think to offer was to give me $15 off a new shirt if I were to purchase the $350 suit. That’s it? He didn’t try to build any emotional or logical connection between me and the suit(s) he was offering, and while his arguments were sufficient, typical and accurate – that is, he knew his stuff when it came to suits – nothing he said was relevant to how I was feeling.
As you can tell, Ryan was completely unsuccessful at selling me a suit. I expect people who are paid on commission to be pushy and maybe a bit cranky sometimes, but he just seemed to be off his game when I came in. His complete lack of regard for what I wanted turned me off to the idea of buying a suit from him.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Free Writing – Thoughts on President Hinckley
I don’t think I’ve spent as much time the past few weeks thinking about President Hinckley as other people have. It’s not because I won’t miss him sometimes or because I don’t believe he was a prophet or anything like that, but I haven’t let my feelings dwell on his passing like so many others have. My wife and I attended church with my family last Sunday in Sandy, where we were visiting for the weekend. It was fast and testimony meeting, and, not surprisingly, many people stood at the pulpit and spoke about President Hinckley. Sunday School and Elder’s Quorum proved to be no different. Instead of having normal lessons, the teachers set aside the time for everyone to share memories of and reminisce about our former prophet. Many people cried, but I just didn’t feel it. In fact, I haven’t shed one tear since hearing of his death. I was recently comparing these reactions to my feelings about Heath Ledger’s recent death. I did not cry when I found out about the popular actor's passing either. In fact, the first thing that popped into my mind was, “I hope they finished filming The Dark Night.” This was very shallow of me, I know, but my next reaction was one of sadness. I don’t know the man or even know very much about him. I don’t know if he was a good person or not, but I was sad that he died so suddenly at such a young age. I think his family and friends will have a much more difficult time finding comfort than those of President Hinckley. I was happy when I found out President Hinckley had passed away. He knew where he was going and who was waiting there for his arrival, and I cannot imagine anything else making him happier. It would be selfish for me to feel sorrowful because someone else got just what he wanted.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Technique Analysis – Originality
I'm sitting here recounting yesterday's activities, one of which was walking around the library listening to a sometimes entertaining but mostly annoying recording of people trying to make the experience of taking a library tour more interesting than it really is. While I did learn that the largest open-access computer lab on campus is in the LRC, the tour on a whole seemed like a waste of a half-hour. I transferred here from another college and (thankfully) did not have to take the tour as a freshman like many other students. Even though I haven't taken the tour I still know my way around the library. I know how to do research and I know how to look up books and find what area of the library they are in. I made it all the way to my senior year without taking the tour, and I honestly felt a little bit ridiculous walking around the entire library with my headphones on and the map in my hand. I'm just glad it’s done and I don't have to do it again.
I had a very busy day yesterday, and yet I still found time to walk around the library listening to a mildly entertaining but mostly annoying recording of people trying to make the experience of touring the library more interesting than it really is. BYU requires each student to take a library tour sometime during their time here, and my time just happened to be yesterday. While I did learn that the LRC contains the largest open-access computer lab on campus, the tour as a whole seemed like a grand waste of time. As a transfer student, I made it all the way to my senior year before they caught me and made me take the tour, and I don’t feel any more knowledgeable than I was last week. I already knew how to study. I knew how to do research. I knew how to look up books. I even knew how to find the books that I looked up. I felt more than a bit ridiculous walking around the library with my headphones on and the library map in my hand. Everything about me screamed “I’m a freshman!” I didn’t like that, and I’m glad that I don’t have to take that tour ever again.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Technique Analysis – Tone
To: Our Landlord
About: The large pile of ice in front of our door
My wife and I have already mentioned this problem to you in addition to submitting numerous maintenance requests, but our abundant concern has obviously not been as clear as we would have hoped. WE HAVE A HUGE FREAKIN’ PILE OF ICE IN FRONT OF OUR DOOR! As we talked to you about last week, a leak in the gutter above our apartment has led to an ever-growing pile of ice that creates a miniature lake on our doorstep by day and a healthy sheet of ice by night. If it weren’t winter right now then I’m supremely confident that a family of ducks would call our entryway their home. We’ve tried to clear the ice ourselves, but that solution is only temporary because the leak is still there and a new pile of ice forms within a day or two of us clearing the original pile. It is both a safety issue and an eyesore, as we are the only apartment in the entire complex with an abundance of water collecting at our doorstep. We love our apartment and everything else has been great, but we would greatly appreciate your help in solving this problem.
Sincerely,
Matt Payne
This is an example of a letter with an angry tone.
About: The large pile of ice in front of our door
My wife and I have already mentioned this problem to you in addition to submitting numerous maintenance requests, but our abundant concern has obviously not been as clear as we would have hoped. WE HAVE A HUGE FREAKIN’ PILE OF ICE IN FRONT OF OUR DOOR! As we talked to you about last week, a leak in the gutter above our apartment has led to an ever-growing pile of ice that creates a miniature lake on our doorstep by day and a healthy sheet of ice by night. If it weren’t winter right now then I’m supremely confident that a family of ducks would call our entryway their home. We’ve tried to clear the ice ourselves, but that solution is only temporary because the leak is still there and a new pile of ice forms within a day or two of us clearing the original pile. It is both a safety issue and an eyesore, as we are the only apartment in the entire complex with an abundance of water collecting at our doorstep. We love our apartment and everything else has been great, but we would greatly appreciate your help in solving this problem.
Sincerely,
Matt Payne
This is an example of a letter with an angry tone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)