Blog Post #10

When beginning my final project for this class I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to continue working on a social movement such as TWLOHA. Their goal of being able to save lives by promoting love to those who need it so they can see they can be helped inspired me. I instantly decided I would make a video project. It took a turn, however, when after some encouragement, I decided to make my use of storytelling about myself to carry out the exigence. My project begins with a discussion of the social reality behind suicide, depression, self-injury, and addiction and then continues to discuss how social reality has affected the self-perception of the people facing the struggles. After a brief description of each struggle, the video takes a turn. With this turn I begin my story of what occurred to me, of the incident that began the downfall of me myself. How I became depressed and the horrible thoughts that filled my mind. It then takes another turn when I begin showing how my friends noticed my depression and decided to change my perception, how they began giving me their time to show me that there was so much more to life than what I was thinking and how soon after, I was ready to accept the help of a therapist who could finish fixing the gaps that my friends could not. The video ends in an array of pictures of my accomplishments, the people who stood by me, and all the more people that stand by me since I finished therapy.

The exigence I am trying to address while doing my final project was similar to that of which To Write Love On Her Arms did. It is to not only promote awareness of suicide, self-injury, depression, and addiction but to let those facing these struggles know that there are people who care and are willing to help them.

In the case of my social movement, I am trying to carry out both persuasive functions of trying to change the social reality that has become in terms of the people dealing with depression, suicide, self-injury, and addiction to then be able to change the self-perception of the people dealing with those struggles. I hope to change the social reality formed that states these struggles are mental illnesses. By doing so I hope to be able to change the self-perceptions formed by the people facing these struggles after fear of rejection from society. I hope to change peoples’ minds from think that help is unattainable.

In order to accomplish my rhetorical goal, I have used the languaging strategy of storytelling. By beginning my video with the social reality and it’s affects on the self-perception of people, followed by an explanation of what suicide, depression, self-injury, and addiction all are, I am able to make those who are unaware realize the truth behind it all. With the bringing in of my own personal experiences, I believe myself to have been able to exhibit from a first person point of view what exactly people going through such struggles are feeling.

The genre I chose was a visual presentation. The way I decided to display this visual presentation was through a youtube video. The reason I chose to do a video to carry out my rhetorical message is because I consider myself to be a good video maker. Considering my own emotions I know how to introduce a subject then slowly lead into the more emotional parts until I hit the peak of my audience’s emotions to then bring them down. By the time they are brought down, all the emotions I wanted have been targeted and it gives them time to think with their heart rather with just their minds.

Blog Post 10

            Across the United States, animals are abused, unwanted, neglected and repeatedly left in the streets to fend for themselves.  This has become a major problem in our country today.  Organizations such as the Humane Society, present rescue efforts, disaster response, provide mobile veterinary clinics, and established a global street dog program to save animals and provide them with temporary homes.  This approach is successful because animals are given a second chance and the opportunity for a better life.  Because of their dedication, the Humane Society is the nations largest and most effective animal protection organization.    

            For my rhetorical artifact, I created an advertisement that could be put on a billboard or displayed any form of media.  In my rhetorical artifact I created, I wanted to explain to my audience what they could do to help with this problem.  I intended to bring awareness to the problem and explain how people can contribute to this social movement.  In this advertisement, I attempt to transform perceptions of social reality as well as legitimizing the social movement.  A common misconception of shelter animals is that they are violent, disease-ridden and unfriendly.  In order to transform this perception of these animals, I described these animals as a future “best friend.”  This causes the audience to feel as though they are not violent and that in reality they are only looking for a home and an owner who will treat them well.  I also attempt to legitimize the movement by providing the mission of the Humane Society and by stating what the audience can do to take action.  By stating “His future is in your hands” exercises the power of control.   However, by stating, “Make a friend. Save a life,” This exercises the power of reward.  The audience gains satisfaction of becoming a hero as well as gaining a best friend. 

            In order to accomplish this goal of gathering people into this movement, I used the languaging strategy of identification and the tactic or creating a slogan that would grab the attention of the viewer.  Identification is used to “change the status quo” and the perception of shelter animals so the public can now identify with the movement.  By using this strategy I established a common ground with my audience.  The slogan is unique in that it grabs the viewers attention and persuades them to join the movement. 

            For my artifact, I decided to create a billboard.  A billboard is a successful form of rhetoric to present to my audience because it provides a quick slogan to grab the viewers attention within a few seconds.  It is very effective because it can be seen by thousands of people a day.  I decided to make the entire billboard black and white because it establishes a sense of credibility because black and white is commonly associated with a serious message.  The large font of the slogan establishes a sense of urgency, as it is the first thing the viewer perceives.   The photograph is a photo of my dog, which I adopted from an animal shelter.   The dog is happy and reaching up to his owner to give her a “high five.”  This picture works well with the slogan because a “high five” is something you would give your best friend.  Overall, This billboard can relate to anyone who views it and it is an effective form of communication to gather in people to adopt pets from animal shelters.    

     

Blog Post 10

In order to reside in the United States legally, there is a very extensive and expensive process that immigrants must follow. If a family or individual does not have the money, often times, this process is halted or cut off by legal barriers in the system. A change in the immigration policy is long overdue, and is a topic of debate in current politics. An attitude against immigrants exists, and has existed for some time, which alienates people who desire to be part of American culture and society. Because of this, documented and undocumented immigrants who wish to bring about change feel that they have to leave behind their traditions and customs in order to be accepted and taken seriously in the United States.

In the painting that I created, I attempt to alter self-perceptions of the immigrants who seek to bring about change in the current legal immigration policy. I relied heavily on symbolism and certain polarization tactics. Since many immigrants do feel the need to leave behind their culture when the come to the US, I seek to show these immigrants and people bringing about change to the system that they don't have to do that in order to be respected as people trying to become Americans.

I chose to use acrylic paint on a canvas. The exigence is something I feel passionate about personally, so I chose to paint a picture for this project because painting is how I best represent and express my views and feelings. I considered writing a speech or a letter, but I figured a painting would be more open to interpretation for my audience, which is supposed to be immigrants and immigrants who are trying to bring about change in the current legal system. I also concluded that I could not fully represent the emotion that I was trying to portray through words, so I decided that I would stick with the paintbrush. 

The man in the painting is sitting on a grave with the name "Mendez" on it, which is a typical hispanic name. The man has a "calavera" face, which represents his true hispanic soul. The calavera man holds an Ameircan flag, and he is in a graveyard surrounded by graves which are engraved with various American names. The message I am trying to show here is that he gave up everything to be American, but his true heritage is prevalent after he is dead. The November constellations in the sky show that it is around the time of Dia de Los Muertos, which is a time that many Central Americans celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones. Because he is all by himself, and not being celebrated on this day, his face shows that he is sad and lonely. Through this message, I attempt to show the immigrants within this social movement that their culture and heritage should still be important to them. The name of my painting is "El alma olvidada", which means "the forgotten soul".

Usually, artists will simply sign their name, and the title of the painting will be displayed next to it, if it is displayed somewhere. Since I use more symbolism than people may be able to pick up on, I wrote a short background piece that would be displayed next to the painting if it were to be in a museum or gallery. This is somewhat going outside the convention of a painting. I would say that artists usually leave the entire painting up to interpretation, and most of the time, the message is not even clear in the mind of the artist. Because my message was very clear in my mind, and I wanted to make sure people notice the symbols in the painting, I included the small explanation to be displayed next to the painting.

Blog Post 10

“Guns don’t kill people. People kill people”. Taking away a gun from a criminal would do nothing. If a criminal is plotting something in his head to hurt other, a criminal will find his way. Whether he has a gun will make no difference. There have been several massacres that have been involved in the United States that did not involve guns, but bombs. Does that mean that we should ban all ingredients in the stores that allow us to create a bomb: Absolutely not. America should remain loyal to our second amendment of the United States. "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." (Law.cornell) I portray such strengthening reasons by creating a twitter account. In my twitter I argue the exigence by proving to the American people and our government that concealed carry should be allowed. I argue this point by showing the public of real life examples of how criminals will still kill whether they are in position of a gun or not. According to a comprehensive study on gun.owners.org, in the United States from 1977 to 1992, states which passed concealed carry laws reduced their rate of murder by 8.5%, rape by 5%, aggravated assault by 7% and robbery by 3%.” (Gunowners.org) The more guns there are, the less crime there is. This is due to the criminal actually being scared knowing that his defender could possibly be carrying a gun. “Fifty-seven percent of felons agreed that "criminals are more worried about meeting an armed victim than they are about running into the police." Another study from the same poll proved that 74% of felons agreed that the reason why burglars avoid homes that are empty is because they are feared about being shot at by the homes that are occupied. Perceptions of social reality and legitimacy go hand and hand in this topic. By proving not only real life statistical examples it makes the argument stronger by having legitimate proof. My statement about criminals will commit the crime regardless is backed up by several examples of bombs that have killed numerous people. On April 19th, 1995 in Oklahoma City, Ok there was a truck bombing of the federal building killing 169 and injuring 675. Also, on May 18th, 1927 in Bath, Michigan there was an explosion from a bomb placed in school that killed 46 and injured 58. Finally, evidence tracing back to the beginning of the 20^th century proves that guns are still not the problem. On October 1st, 1910 in LA, California, two bombs exploded in a building killing 20 and injuring 21. None of these three events involved any sort of fireman. These points make it obvious that guns have never been the problem and never will be. A criminal is responsible for pulling the trigger. Furthermore, if the criminal knows that the place he wants to attack has firearms on force, the though could prevent him from doing a dirty deed.

Blog Post 10

For my final project I decided to use the recent social movement that took place on campus to end tobacco use. The reason that I decided to use this is because despite the fact that the entire campus is now tobacco free, there are still plenty of people that smoke or use chew as well as other forms of tobacco. With this knowledge I wanted to continue the spread of the tobacco free ideal.

The persuasive function that I used mainly throughout my video is the Perception of the Future. In this video I show the progression of habits and destructive side effects that occur when people start smoking. This way I show that the future leads to a dark and dangerous place if they decide to keep smoking or if they are thinking of starting smoking.

In this video I use storytelling as a strategy to portray to the people that just one cigarette or use of tobacco can cause people to go down a very long and expensive road. Expensive meaning more than just money, such as the cost of their lungs, teeth, etc. I also have a slogan throughout my video, "It Takes Just One," and I use this slogan to portray that all it takes to start down this deadly road is just one cigarette. I also have a song to accompany the video, progressing at the same pace, making it the emotion of the video that much more powerful. I also have short interviews with people and lead them on the path of ridicule in an attempt to spark protest amongst tobacco users and get them to "prove us wrong" by either getting them to stop using these products or to create a movement of their own.

I decided to create this this music video because I feel that getting people to watch a video effects them more and forces them to pay more attention than just handing them a pamphlet, which they can throw away without even looking at it.

I worked within common conventions in order to produce a music video, I added music to a video in order to produce the what people commonly see throughout society. However I went outside the normal conventions when I decided to make my own music, and find my own images and create my own interviews. This genre helped me carry out my goal because it allows me to bring up awareness of the continuous tobacco use on campus without enforcing the new policy which we are not allowed to do.

~FINAL PROJECT~ Blog post 10

In my final project, I decided to stray away from the animal rights movement, the social movement that I researched and focused on throughout the course of the semester. I focused my attention on childhood obesity and the importance for parents to instill healthy living habits in their children from a young age, as well as the significance of exercising the body.

The exigence that I was trying to address in my newsletter was how parents can help their children this summer to become healthier and more active. Page two of the newsletter discussed the benefits of enjoying the water and the sunshine outdoors instead of staying inside, wasting childhood development and growth that could be blossomed outdoors expressing their imagination with their playmates. The newsletter encourages parents to take their children on family vacations to the Sunshine State where they can enjoy the sun and the oceans. The importance of family time is critical for the development and socialization of a child. The family is the main social institution and socialization network; therefore, family time is significant for proper childhood development. Also, I was trying to address the importance of eating healthy and being active, and installing these habits at a young age to continue into adulthood. Today, this is not addressed as much because parents are often wanting the cheapest and easiest food and sticking their children behind screens to keep them busy and out of their way. The newsletter’s goal is change parents’ perspectives on the childhood obesity epidemic.

The persuasive function that I was trying to carry out was to transform perceptions of the present. I believe that my target audience is adult individuals unaware of the dangers that childhood obesity in America and the world are facing. More and more children are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which is the type of diabetes that coincides with poor nutrition and lack of physical activity that affects around 90% of diabetes cases. There is a direct link with rapid rise in obesity over the past 25 years, and this must change. People do not understand the dangers that the future holds if they do not change their diet and exercise routine. “Protesters search for words to communicate the urgency of the problem and the need to take action”. In my newsletter, I stressed in an easy to read manner that parents MUST save their children from the development of chronic disorders like heart disease, deficiency diseases, cancer, stroke, and even death. I think that the target audience refuses to believe that this problem exists. My rhetorical goal was for people to understand the important role that parents have in each child’s life, and to take action to change the statistics.

 The language tactic that I used in my newsletter was labeling. I labeled the diseases associated with childhood obesity as negative because of the need for change. The newsletter kindly stated how we must be more conscious of what our children are consuming. I labeled events like eating healthy, being active, family vacations, water safety to cast them in a light to engage supporters. I wanted to influence parents to inflict positive life habits in their children. The act of labeling for this particular social movement’s newsletter was in a positive way; the goal was not to prove the organization is “devil-like” or negative. The strategy I used was identification. I wanted people to identify their wrongdoings, and where they can fix little things to make their lives’ healthier and more prosperous. I used it as an instrument of transformation, to encourage parents the influence they have on this generation. Labeling and transformation achieved my rhetorical goal in the newsletter to let parents understand the prominence of childhood obesity.

The type of genre I choose was a newsletter that would commonly be seen in elementary schools made by teachers or staff to encourage parents to have a safe, healthy, and fun summer with their children. I chose the newsletter over a video, song, or billboard because I felt that it was the most efficient way for me to get my point across. I don’t think that this social movement could have been productive in a video form, at least what I knew I could create. The conventions of the genre I chose were targeted toward parents to help their children have a productive summer. I worked within the newsletter format that Microsoft Word gave for the “summer edition” to help produce a more creative newsletter. I worked outside of the conventions by adding my own pictures, rearranging the document to look more appealing, and typing in text that related to my social movement. This genre helped carry out my goal for the childhood obesity movement, The Healthy Kids Campaign, which I created to show how there needs to be a more legitimate social movement for this cause.

blog post 9!

An overarching strategy that institutions use to keep social movements from achieving their desired change is the strategy of counter-persuasion. This tactic is seen often, sometimes too much, in daily new reports on social movements and even arguments with friends. When people begin to give up in a dispute, they will attack the leader or members of social movements as a way that shows they are better than the other, which shows the person is subconsciously weakening and giving up. We all have been in arguments where one person begins to name-call the other as a way to make them look stronger in the disagreement. The people are trying to justify themselves by employing labels and unnecessary names to the leaders and members, instead of focusing on the movement’s issues and demands to say that they are wrong.

 An example of how someone can put the blame is on others and use counter-persuasion is seen in CNN’s article on how the UN is blaming humans for causing global warming. It talks about man-made climate change that within the last 30 years man has caused too much damage to the Earth through our carbon footprint. The article states the last 30 years are the worst we have seen in the last 1,000 years. This article is trying to put the blame on something obtainable, humans are an easy way out. I believe that scientists are not sure where the growth in environmental problems has occurred so they find it easy to blame on humans. We are becoming a more technologically advanced world, it only makes sense that we are seeing change but also Mother Nature has her own way of doing things. I don’t think it can be justified without research, facts, and statistics that humans are the sole cause for global warming. This article employs the instruments of counter-persuasion. CNN is trying to make all humans look corrupt for causing this impending issue.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/27/world/climate-change-5-things/

Blog Post 10

     I chose to relay my information in a college newsletter format because I wanted to tell students of Florida State University of the upcoming events and organizations within the gender equality movement. I believe that a newsletter is the perfect balance between visual elements and writing. I am able to visually show readers polls, graphs, and photos to help legitimize my movement. Even if one is not able to take the time to read the information I have provided, they can take away the main idea from the visuals. I incorporated on campus organizations to allow one to get involved as well as nationally recognized groups. 

     The exigence I am trying to address is to gain involvement within the FSU community, students and faculty. I hope the information I provide causes individuals to want to make a difference and gain equality for both genders. The main rhetorical goal for the artifact I wish to accomplish is to transform perceptions of social reality. I use perceptions of the past when I write that although we have gained the ability to vote, it was a brutal process and as a society, we still have a long way to go. Legitimizing the movement is also an important step for social movements. Using the power of control enables the writer and Florida State to take authority in the information they disclose to the public. 

      Incorporating both the female and male symbols in the title of the newsletter helps people identify with the movement. If both genders feel they were needed for change, they will be more likely to join the movement. Using the “About Me” column, I allowed people to identify with her and the yearning to help her brother. Framing is also an essential strategy in the newsletter. The newsletter embodies the same point-of-view throughout it. I use legitimate facts and events to help frame the newsletter to be about gender equality. Although most newsletters do not include slogans, I titled one of the articles “Never let the hand you hold, hold you down” to be easily remembered and provide an emotional persuasive element. The poll I added is meant to polarize the individuals that are for and against gender equality. As a result, I hoped to unite those that believe in it and create a bond between them that is necessary to assist the success of the movement. These languaging tactics and strategies will hopefully help make an impact on the students and faculty of FSU and increase participation. Because women are able to vote, people may not have put as much importance in the gender equality movement. Many people do not even believe that women and men should be equal. In the newsletter, I addressed a few reasons why it is beneficial to all that both genders are equal. As a female who is affected by the discrimination, I wanted to display as much information as I can and show people that gender equality needs to be obtained today.  

Blog Post 10

            For my rhetorical artifact I produced a short commercial for the ALF depicting some statistics that really bring to light some of the atrocities that are being committed towards animals all over our great nation. With this commercial I hope to bring about an a more vivid understanding of what is truly happening to some of these animals, whether the media wants you to hear about it or not.

            For my commercial I focused on a few rhetorical goals from chapter three in our “Persuasion and social movements” book; the first was to have viewers self-identify with the message the group is trying to convey. I focused on the younger (18-25) generation by using contemporary music such as Waka Flocka and a message more easily identifiable for youths of today. Many youths today are not as reserved as the previous generations, so by making fighting for animal rights appear “cool” and “lively” not just people picketing around campus, I intend on drawing in a new crowd of radical animal rights activists. Secondly, I used the tool of legitimization of the movement by producing facts that support the idea that there really is an issue going on in these slaughterhouses, fur farms, laboratories, and animal shelters. The combination of music, pictures, and facts speaks louder then any pamphlet or song alone can and this is what makes my rhetorical artifact more unique then the commercials of downtrodden dogs and cats we all see over-played on our television sets.

            When it came to choosing tactical language I honed in on a few different strategies that I believe are the most powerful when conveying a message. The first tactic I used was the base of my project, a song. The song “Only Time” by Enya is one of the saddest songs I could think of that would fit the video best, however I did not stop there. When all the facts and pictures of abused, neglected animals are done being played I put a spin no other commercial like this has, an upbeat modern song with pictures of the extreme members of the Animal Liberation Front. I believe this is a good strategy when trying to tap into the emotions of the younger generation of people who tend to be a little more thrill seeking and reckless. The Animal Liberation Front believes in using any means necessary, so I targeted the group of people most willing to do whatever it takes to liberate these animals. Another huge component of my commercial was framing, because while researching facts to contribute to the legitimacy of my social movement I stumbled across a site that had statistics backing exactly what I wanted. Now, these facts maybe slightly skewed, however when framing it is imperative for you to construct a particular point of view on a subject and that is just what I did.

            I picked this genre to portray the animal rights movement because I think I could make a more powerful video then a pamphlet or billboard. In my opinion the combination of song, statistics, and visual stimulation create the most compelling form of rhetoric. Music has the power to control mood and emotions, which in my opinion is the single strongest approach when trying to get people to believe a certain thing. If you can attack as many senses as possible, (hearing, vision, emotion) you can control your audience and have them believe whatever you want them to believe.

            I started my video using the conventions of any other animal rights commercial, sad pictures of neglected animals and a sad song. However, I did not stay on the same path for my entire artifact; I added a spin on the conventional “sad dog” commercials we all see far too often. When going outside this social norm by adding some pro ALF propaganda, I believe I tapped into different pools of possible members that most modern commercials seem to glance over. The youth is on of the most powerful allies to any flourishing social movement so I figured why not start there. This genre helped me carry out my goal by covering all aspects of rhetoric and not only the same ones that have been used over and over. The ability to combine pictures, songs, framing, and persuasion all into one artifact made it far more powerful to me and the few people I showed, to see what reaction I was going to receive after playing it in class.