WATCO: Young adults choosing to get married over staying single on society?
Claim: Young adults’ choosing to get married over staying single has a positive effect on society because establishing a home promotes healthy morals and strengthens the community.
Audience: LDS Young Adults who would rather “hang-out” than date with the goal of getting married.
About the Audience
-interested in having fun and meeting new people
-have testimonies of the gospel
-typically between 20-25 years old
-interested in the opposite gender, but not willing to commit to anything serious
-many are college students or recent graduates
-financial and material things are often important
-desire security (financial, emotional, etc.)
-knowing the eternal nature of marriage, they want to be very careful about entering into serious relationships
-often wish to delay adult responsibilities
-understand the importance of marriage and family, but are passive about setting goals in those areas
-desire to do good and help those around them
Marriage (+)
Family builds emotional stability
Husband and wife strengthen each other
Strong families add to local community
True happiness is found within family life
Marriage teaches people to sacrifice for others and develop unselfish motives and habits
Marriage (-)
Newlyweds are often poor
Marriage carries with it many large and intimidating responsibilities
“Hanging Out” is within many people’s comfort zone, while marriage is challenging on many different levels
Eternity is a long time, so finding the right person can sometimes be stressful and difficult
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Technique Analysis – Paper B Issue Analysis
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Free Writing – Ballet vs. Cougarettes
My wife is a dancer, and she likes to watch other people dance. I like to make my wife happy. Put these together and sometimes I have the privilege of going to events such as ballets and dance concerts. Two weeks ago BYU’s ballet department put on their winter show, and last week the Cougarettes were performing their annual concert. Lucky me, I had the chance to go to both of them. After watching both of these concerts I thought I would take a minute and make note of some of my observations from each – a comparison if you will.
Ballet Concert
The ballet was okay. I thought it was cool how they could stand on their toes for so long and spin so much without getting dizzy. One girl spun around 36 times in a row without showing any type of disorientation. My brothers and I used to have competitions to see who could spin the most and I don’t think we ever reached 36 times before we fell over. Some of the dances were very beautiful, and my favorite was a dance to Pachelbell. One thing that is normal in the dance world but that I thought funny was the pants that the guys were wearing. Let’s just say that they didn’t leave much to the imagination. This made me laugh every time they were out on the stage, and my wife had to shush me a few times. Besides these things, the show wasn’t all that compelling. Their timing wasn’t very good and I thought most of the music they used was boring.
Cougarettes Concert
This was a different story. I loved just about every minute of the Cougarettes’ performance. Their timing was right on (which you would expect given that they have won seven out of the last eleven national championships) and their music covered the spectrum of cool and funky to soothing and beautiful. They also used cool props to dance to, such as a ladder and chairs, as well as a cube made out of pipes. One of the things I noticed about the Cougarettes is that the girls are not as skinny as the ballet dancers. None of them were fat, but they were strong enough to do their own lifts and use all the props with ease. I liked that about them. I left the Cougarettes concert feeling like I would gladly pay another $10 to see it again, which is a tribute to them. My wife liked it much better too, so it turned out to be a much better date than the ballet concert the previous week.
Ballet Concert
The ballet was okay. I thought it was cool how they could stand on their toes for so long and spin so much without getting dizzy. One girl spun around 36 times in a row without showing any type of disorientation. My brothers and I used to have competitions to see who could spin the most and I don’t think we ever reached 36 times before we fell over. Some of the dances were very beautiful, and my favorite was a dance to Pachelbell. One thing that is normal in the dance world but that I thought funny was the pants that the guys were wearing. Let’s just say that they didn’t leave much to the imagination. This made me laugh every time they were out on the stage, and my wife had to shush me a few times. Besides these things, the show wasn’t all that compelling. Their timing wasn’t very good and I thought most of the music they used was boring.
Cougarettes Concert
This was a different story. I loved just about every minute of the Cougarettes’ performance. Their timing was right on (which you would expect given that they have won seven out of the last eleven national championships) and their music covered the spectrum of cool and funky to soothing and beautiful. They also used cool props to dance to, such as a ladder and chairs, as well as a cube made out of pipes. One of the things I noticed about the Cougarettes is that the girls are not as skinny as the ballet dancers. None of them were fat, but they were strong enough to do their own lifts and use all the props with ease. I liked that about them. I left the Cougarettes concert feeling like I would gladly pay another $10 to see it again, which is a tribute to them. My wife liked it much better too, so it turned out to be a much better date than the ballet concert the previous week.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Rhetorical Analysis – “The Enriching of Marriage” by President Faust
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.
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.
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.
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