In class excersize

http://www.autonews.com/article/20140521/BLOG06/140529959/the-drive-to-make-car-functions-simple-is-cutting-out-simplicity

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Automotive News did an article about the overcomplicating seen in modern cars, as one of the authors says, “In my own old cars, lowering a window, adjusting a seat or changing the brightness of the instrument lights is a quick, intuitive no-brainer, accomplished with the simple press of button, the turn of a small knob or the movement of an easily reached lever.”

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Dave Coleman tells Road & Track about the unseen amount of work that went into getting the new Mazda Miata to the road.

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Included in the book Everyone’s an Author are several short stories including Lydia's Story which shows us the horrors of hurricane Katrina and Rita. Although, Jan Brideau explains, “she (Lydia) like many people I met, referred to them as the “first storm” and the “second storm””(128).

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Works Cited

"Here's How Mazda Made the Miata Such a Great Sports Car." Road & Track. Hearst Communications, Inc., 19 Nov. 2015. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

Lunsford, Andrea; Ede, Lisa; Moss, Beverly J.; Papper, Carole Clark; Walters, Keith. Everyone's

an Author. New York: W.W. Norton Co. Inc., 2013. Print.

"The Drive to Make Car Functions Simple Is Cutting out Simplicity."Automotive News.

Automotive News., 21 May 2014. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

Spriggs vs. Others

Similarities between texts:

• All took a stance/position on something
• Articles used facts and statistics to illustrate their point

• Facts cannot be argued with

• All acknowledge the opposition
• All texts provide crucial background information

• Most refute the counter arguments (show why they are wrong)
• All illustrate the main points in a very clear and direct manner
• Writings appeal to readers through Ethos, Pathos, Logos
• Most have quotes from a reputable source/person
• All use an authoritative tone

Differences between texts:

• Some have first person language, others do not
• Some have pictures/illustrations, others do not

• Pictures have captions

• Some have quotes directly from people, others quote sources or other persons writing

Brainstorming Position Topics.

I have an opinion on:
- Which of the diesel engines is the best (Cummins, Powerstroke, Detroit, or Durimax)
- Use of electronically controlled parking breaks and such

One of us wrote about about the drunk driving, and two of us watched the texting while driving video. Both of our summaries were quite similar in that they both featured a personal account of a tragic accident that resulted of these two types of mistakes. They both had dramatic slow piano music, teary eyed interviewees, and dramatic texts. Both stories follow several stories, both talking about the victims, and the effects that this accident had on the families. For example, in the drinking and driving video, the parents of the deceased had a hard time after, but they worked to create an organization to help intoxicated kids. They both use pathos (emotion) as the most effective piece in each video. The sad music, and stories from victims is really sad, and is a strong persuasive tool for the viewer. It also uses ethos (ethics) to show logically what could happen to you if you drink and drive, or if you text and drive. The videos still have a big shock value showing real videos and pictures from the accidents, while avoiding any gory scenes. Even without the gore, the messages are very persuasive.

Peace Sign Buttons

1. What do they suggest?

The buttons suggest peace, and somewhat of an anti-war attitude.

2. How do do they suggest it?

Both buttons include the “peace” sign, one specifically says “peace” and the other says “make love, not war.”

3. Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?

The image on the left, suggests a more playful, laid back attitude toward this notion of “peace,” versus the image on the right, is a more refined and professionally done organized logo/button. Both may appeal to differing audiences while still illustrating the same point.  

Rolex & Hello Kitty watches

1. What do they suggest?

Both suggest that the watch is somehow a fashionable and that the the consumer will be making a statement by wearing the product.

2. How do they suggest it?

They show off their features and their key feature (one being the Hello Kitty, the other being that it has diamonds and that it is a Rolex)

3. Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?

Obviously the two audience's are significantly different, however toward their audience, both have the same point; to sell their watch.

Thesis: Each of the pairs of images illustrate the same point toward two different target audiences.

1. The watches have the same goal - to sell their product that do the same thing. The way they present each one is different.
1. The Rolex is more formal and sophisticated (aimed toward rich adults)
2. Hello Kitty is playful (aimed toward kids)
2. The buttons have the same goal - to advocate for peace and love. The way they present each one is different.
1. The “peace” button is more whimsical (aimed to more hippies)
2. The “make love - not war” button is more organized and simple (aimed at people advocate for peace and love but are not hippies)
3. The level of formality, style and appealing features differ depending on the audience, however within the pairs, the goal of the watch or button is consistent.

"Reading Sources Critically"

Tim Wise; “Use Of The N-Word”

1. What arguments does the author make?

The author makes all arguments toward the position of not verbally using the N-word. Multiple arguments are brought up from playground examples such as “I can talk about my mother, but you sure as hell better not talk about my mother!” Another example that Tim Wise used was about a particular comedian Jeff Foxworthy and his jokes regarding “rednecks.” He argues that because Jeff may somewhat fall into the category of group that he is making fun of, it is seen as acceptable. On the flip side, if Jerry Seinfeld was to use these same jokes in a stand-up routine, it would be inappropriate. His main position is that white people should not use verbally the N-word, however it is at the discretion of black people to use freely.

2. How persuasive do you find the argument?

The argument is very persuasive. Tim Wise supports his stance on the topic with plenty of evidence. Wise is clear on why this issue is important, while giving his view of how it should be handled. He explains more than just the white man's point of view, and explains the point of view of a black man. The medium allows him to express his authority with a strong tone.

3. What is the author's stance?

The stance the author takes is that he believes it isn't his place to determine how and when it is acceptable to use the word due to him being a white person. Although he does take a firm stance that it’s not his place to determine the above points, he does voice very clearly that if you’re not black you shouldn't use the word.

4. Does the publisher bring a certain stance to the work?

His speech was part of Boston College’s FACES organization, which is designed to promote awareness about discrimination and racism. Boston College is interested in race relations and wants their community to be a part of discussions like this.

5. Do you recognize ideas you’ve run across in other sources?

To my limited knowledge on the subject, Tim Wise brought up some new original and very persuasive ideas to the table to help illustrate his point. Some of the more generic things he said about Mark Twain and his use of the N-word in his book Huckleberry Finn I had heard before.

6. Does this source support or challenge your own position - or does it do both?

I am in agreement with Tim Wise and his statements of when it is appropriate to use the word. As a white person, hearing other white people say the N-word sounds very inappropriate and out of place (being that this is not the 1950’s anymore). His examples only furthered my own belief/stance on the subject, and I think this was a very informative and explanatory video.

7. What can you tell about the intended audience and purpose?

The purpose of the piece is to educate and offer some solution on who/ how the “n-word” should be used. The intended audience is students and faculty members who attend Boston College. He also aims to further educate people like who are fans of his writing, take a particular stance on the subject, or raise awareness of his opinion on how the topic should be dealt with. Also, since Tim Wise’s video is on youtube, it can be intended for the general public and anyone who is interested in being involved in the topic.

"Best in Class" an Advertisement analysis:

Auto manufacturers throughout history have advertised their new models, by both highlighting the improvements over previous models, and by indicating why they are superior to the competition. This strategy is especially seen in American made pickup trucks, likely due to the general purpose for buying one; to haul. Given that this is the primary purpose of a pickup, this leaves it up to manufacturers to build the best pickup, making the competition between companies incredibly high. Opening doors like new technology and refinements, down to what truck has the best towing capacity, the nicest ride, best fuel economy, and best looks. This is just skimming the surface of areas for companies to gain an edge. That being said, the distinction of what makes a manufacturer's pickup special, especially over their competition, is strongly highlighted in their advertisements.

Dating back to the early days of automobiles, advertising was key. In the early twentieth century, the new technology was revolutionary, and the demand for self powered vehicles was incredibly high. Three main companies popped up within an eight year period of each other, those iconic brands being; Dodge, General Motors, and Ford. All still thriving today, and still the main competition for one another. These companies found themselves working around the clock to find new ways to improve and better their vehicles, especially their pickups. The competition was somewhat of an obstacle but it was also a great opportunity to showcase the benefits of a particular model.

While advertising strategies have changed over the years, some elements have remained the same. Due to the nature of effectiveness, some truck ads have incorporated why they are better than the others. The term “best in class” is extremely common nowadays, and can even be seen in the selected Dodge ad from 2013. It seems to be more common to use terms like this that indicate a general statement of that trucks superiority, rather than specifically stating which brand or brands it is beating. This method is highly effective because it jumps right through the hoops of lawsuits with the other companies, while still implying a specific auto manufacturer. The idea behind this is that if the consumer is in the market for a new pickup, they will know the top three American truck brands and understand what the ad implies.

Starting with the ford advertisement from the late 1940’s, the purposes of the ad is made very clear. Starting with the image itself, it showcases the styling of the chilli red Ford, in a mucky farm while a man is unloading a full load of heavy feed from the spacious eight foot bed. The image shows off that while the truck is stylish it is still true to its roots of being a work truck. With American manufacturing know for its quality, and the revolutionary additions that Henry Ford himself implemented, the quote “Star Spangled New!” indicates that buying this truck is somehow a patriotic act, and indicates that this pickup is worthy of the greatest nation in the world. Moving the eye toward the bulk of the text, the use of exclamation marks is hard to overlook while reading about the newly refined model. To begin the Ford ad boasts about the new “145 H.P. engine” and an “up to 21,500 lb G.V.W. (Gross Vehicle Weight; meaning, truck included how much weight it can handle). Further down in the advertisement it is indicated that these numbers can be achieved with selected options, a fine print detail common in all car advertisements with numbers. After the first “star” bullet point explaining what this pickup is capable of, pickup truck wise, it moves on the highlight what is special about this particular model, how the interior is similar to your living room with comforts and luxurys that others may not have. Realistically this truck was far from luxury, but for the time it was rather well equipped. If anything, Ford saw an opportunity for advertizing their strengths over the competition with the inclusion of the interior bonuses. Truck refinement in this ad seems to be the theme though its entirety. Mentioning how most everything is “new” on the truck multiple times, with one “big exception,” that being Ford’s “truck building know-how.” They mention in the second big paragraph; “That’s not new with us.” This statement somehow sneakily puts the other manufacturers to shame with something that they cannot compete with. Brilliant.

It can be argued that back in the day, advertisements could be slightly more misleading than they are today, this is for a variety of reasons including newer laws and such. However shameless dissing on other brands has always been risky territory for auto companies because the response from the shund company may likely be an aggressive defence. It is fairly common for  truck advertisements to be in response to a recent ad from the competition. If the new ad from company x says they are superior to company z in a certain field, company z will certainly respond with their advantages over company x.

Years after the Ford advertisement above, Chevrolet introduced the ad featuring the avocado green pickup in the spring of 1969. The ad features the new truck adventuring on the beach with words below reading “Compare Chevy pickup’s styling, ride, toughness and economy? With what?” A bold statement from the folks at General Motors, catching the reader's eye in its headline like text. This statement shamelessly claims that not only is this Chevrolet pickup the best among its competition, but rather it is miles ahead in every way. The idea behind this ad is largely to show the confidence that GM expresses that they have a quality automobile. It is a scientific fact that people are attracted to confidence, making this ad subconsciously very affective to its audience (people looking for a new truck). Who it then explicitly identifies in the next bit of print; “Let’s say you’re about to buy a new pickup…”

Again the primary focus for these ads seems to be toward people in the market for a new truck. As far as sales go, it is these advertisements to sell the buyer on at least considering what the brand brings to the table. Lesser seen in print ads, but common on television is the quote: “come test drive” car x. The hope is that the consumer will fall in love with the automobile first hand, after all, print and video ads are still limiting.

The newest of the three advertisements is Dodge RAM’s “throwback” ad. This advertisement features the ever refined dodge 3500 towing a camping trailer parked out in the woods in an old school style print filter. The large heading reads “Find Yourself,” then in smaller letters “in places where no one else can.” That last smaller statement is vastly important because it implies that this truck---and no other---gives you the customer the power to go places where inferior trucks cannot. The warm glow of the fire shows off the aggressive body lines of the truck, and draws the eye to the most colorful part of the ad; the truck itself. After the viewer sees this truck “in its environment,” the statements below are also intriguing to potential customers. “Best in class 30,000 L.B. towing. Best in class 850 L.B.-F.T. torque.” Obviously this is an important marketing technique for Dodge with their pickups. Proving once again that this is an effective and common strategy throughout history and even today.

Barely lifting the hatch on the truck advertisements over the past hundred years, it is pretty clear that between the three main American truck brands what is important. Being the “best in class” in any and all areas is not only what is necessary for their marketing, but it also continues to raise the standards for these automobiles. With numbers that do not lie, Ford, GM, and Dodge all use these strategies against one another in attempt to dominate the truck market in America.

Image Citations:

Compare a Chevy’s styling, ride, toughness and economy? With what? Advertisement. Life

Magazine. May 1969. Print.

Dodge Ram Trucks “Camping”. Advertisement. The Richards Group. Aug. 2013. Print.

Star Spangled New! Advertisement. Ford Motor Company. Sep. 1948: 52. Print.

MLA positions exercise

How does it appeal to you - or why does it fail to appeal?

This opinion does not appeal to me in the slightest for many reasons. The fact that he feels like he has to say “NOT” being racist is absurd. The only reason people say “not being racist but” is so they can go ahead and be racist. Additionally, he spelled Asians wrong, and his grammar overall is horrendous.

What kinds of words, images, or sounds does it use as supports for its position?

It uses horrible grammar, ugly white people, and even more racist comments to “drive” his point. They are using their horrible opinions to bash on the statistically most intelligent demographic in the world, and further proving their ignorance. It’s posts like these that make me very pessimistic about the human race. Oh well.

If you were going to revise it for a different audience, what would you do?

I would revise it by burning it to the ground and giving this ignorant idiot a stern talking to. Opinions that denounce, degrade, or discriminate against any group or individual are not opinions, they are abuse. Although the internet is filled with things like this, ideally there is no place appropriate for content like this.

If you were going to create it in another medium, how would it be different?

I would burn it to the ground, then make a youtube video of all the reasons this person is a racist A-hole.

How does it appeal to you - or why does it fail to appeal?

The ad appeals to me because I agree with the message it is promoting. The ad was created during World War II to promote women to join the workforce.

What kinds of words, images, or sounds does it use as supports for its position?

A powerful slogan is at the top of the page, “We Can Do It!” “Rosie” is the main focus of the poster, she is a working women flexing her arm to show her strength. A yellow background makes the poster pop.

If you were going to revise it for a different audience, what would you do?

If the poster was directed towards men, convincing them to persuade their spouses to join the workforce. I would change the color scheme to more patriotic colors of red, white and blue. Possibly have multiple women walking into the jobs as men was away from the jobs to symbolize the need for women to fill the empty jobs. As well as that women could work just as hard as men.

If you were going to create it in another medium, how would it be different?

If we were to turn the poster into a video, it might show multiple women working - showing strength in numbers. A patriotic song might be playing in the background since this was created in time of war.

How does it appeal to you - or why does it fail to appeal?

This poster I find very appealing because of it’s wit, satire, and bitter truth. This gay rights protester is using one of the anti-gay rights major arguments against them.

What kinds of words, images, or sounds does it use as supports for its position?

The quote directly from the bible is brilliantly chosen for the specific issue. I can say with confidence that many homophobes use the bible as an excuse for their intolerance, yet are sinning in many ways  similar to this ^ :)

If you were going to revise it for a different audience, what would you do?

I would not revise this sign at all. It is perfectly written, and the title above the quote is well placed and spot on with the issue.

If you were going to create it in another medium, how would it be different?

I would like to see many other quotes from the bible like these listed or made into a video. The bible argument for anti-gay protestors is absurd, and overused. Arguments like these help to dull that, and make them seem even more absurd. We need more brilliant minds and readers like this man in the fight for gay rights. BAM

Works Cited

"50 Funniest Protest Signs Ever - Funny Blog." 50 Funniest Protest Signs Ever - Funny Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

"I'm Not Racist, But..." I'm Not Racist, But... N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

Miller, J. Howard. “We Can Do It!” Poster. Wikipedia. Wikipedia 1942. Print.

Varvel, Gary. "Political Cartoons." Teach-Learn-Explore. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

Taking a Position

Taking a Position on something happens hundreds of times a day, whether it be a conscious action or a subconscious thought about something you are barely aware of. Any kind of profiling or stereotyping is your mind taking a position on something. As well as little things such as deciding what to eat for dinner tonight, if there is more than one person who will be eating, you can take a position regarding what you would like to have for dinner.

Here a a list of things that I have done recently that requires taking a position:

1. A classroom activity or assignment is a great example, almost allays you consciously or subconsciously will decide if you like the assignment and think its worth your time, or not.
2. Discussing possible dinner plans for the upcoming week prior to going grocery shopping is a somewhat inclusive possess, but it is definitely the time to take a position and put in your oar.
3. Deciding what grade of fuel to put in your car can be you subconsciously taking a position, either in belief that less ethanol content will benefit your cars health, or if that is just a load of crap fed to you by the oil companies trying to make more money. Either way, your taking a position.
4. You see a road sign for a new city counsel member on your way to work. Automatically you may think to yourself whether that particular person would have your vote or not, in turn taking a position.
5. Flipping through the channels on T.V. or through the pages in your favorite magazine trying to decide what show to watch or article to read.

Bottom line is; you take positions on things everyday, not even knowing your doing so.

Advertisement analysis

"Best in class"

Auto manufacturers throughout history have advertized new their models, by both highlighting the improvements over previous models, and by indicating why they are superior to the competition. This strategy is especially seen in American made pickup trucks, likely due to the general purpose for buying one; to haul. Given that this is the primary purpose of a pickup, this leaves it up to manufacturers to build the best pickup, making the competition between companies incredibly high. Opening doors like new technology and refinements, to who has the best towing capacity, the nicest ride, best fuel economy, and best looks. This is just skimming the surface of areas for companies to gain an edge. That being said, the distinction of what makes a manufacturer's pickup special, especially over their competition, is strongly highlighted in their advertisements.

    Dating back to the early days of automobiles, advertising was key. In the early twentieth century, the new technology was revolutionary, and the demand for self powered vehicles was incredibly high. Three main companies popped up within an eight year period of each other, those iconic brands being; Dodge, General Motors, and Ford. All still thriving today, and still the main competition for one another. These companies found themselves working around the clock to find new ways to improve and better their vehicles, especially their pickups. The competition was somewhat of an obstacle but it was also a great opportunity to showcase the benefits of a particular model.

    While advertising strategies have changed over the years, some elements have remained the same. Due to the nature of effectiveness, some truck ads have incorporated why they are better than the others. The term “best in class” is extremely common nowadays, and can even be seen in the selected Dodge ad from 2013. It seems to be more common to use terms like this that indicate and “in general” statement regarding other pickups, rather than specifically stating which brand it is beating. This method is highly effective because it jumps right through the hoops of lawsuits with the other companies, while still implying a specific auto manufacturer. The idea behind this is that if the consumer is in the market for a new pickup, they will know the top three American truck brands and understand what the ad implies.

    Starting with the ford advertisement from the late 1940’s, the purposes of the ad is made very clear. Starting with the image itself, it showcases the styling of the bright red Ford, in a mucky farm while a man is unloading a full load of heavy feed from the large eight foot bed. The image shows off that while the truck is stylish it is still true to its roots of being a work truck. With American manufacturing know for its quality, and the revolutionary additions that Henry Ford himself implemented, the quote “Star Spangled New!” indicates that buying this truck is somehow a patriotic act, and indicates that this pickup is worthy of the greatest nation in the world. Moving the eye toward the bulk of the text, the use of exclamation marks is hard to overlook while reading about the newly refined model. To begin the Ford ad boasts about the new “145 H.P. engine” and an “up to 21,500 lb G.V.W. (Gross Vehicle Weight; meaning, truck included how much weight it can handle). Later on down the line it is indicated that these numbers can be achieved with selected options, a fine print detail common in all car advertisements with numbers. After the first “star” bullet point explaining what this pickup is capable of, pickup truck wise, it moves on the highlight what is special about this particular model, how the interior is similar to your living room with comforts and luxurys that others may not have. Realistically this truck was far from luxury, but for the time it was rather well equipped. If anything Ford saw an opportunity for advertizing their strengths over the competition with the inclusion of the interior bonuses. Truck refinement in this ad seems to be brought up quite a bit, after mentioning how most everything is new on the truck, the second paragraph begins with a “big exception,” that being Ford’s “truck building know-how.” “That’s not new with us,” they say. This statement somehow sneakily puts the other manufacturers to shame with something that they cannot compete with. Brilliant.

It can be argued that back in the day, advertisements could be slightly more misleading than they are today, this is for a variety of reasons including newer laws and such. However shameless dissing on other brands has always been risky territory for auto companies because the response from the shund company may likely be an aggressive defence. It is not uncommon for  truck advertisements to be in response to a recent ad from the competition. If the new ad from company x says they are superior to company z in a certain field, company z will certainly respond with their advantages over company x.

Moving down the line chronologically, In the early 1970’s Chevrolet introduced the ad featuring the avocado green pickup adventuring on the beach with words below reading “Compare Chevy pickup’s styling, ride, toughness and economy? With what?” A bold statement from the folks at General Motors, catching the reader's eye in its headline like text. This statement shamelessly claims that not only is this Chevrolet pickup the best among its competition, but rather it is miles ahead in every way. The idea behind this ad is largely to show the confidence that GM has that they have a quality automobile. It is a scientific fact that people are attracted to confidence, making this ad subconsciously very affective to its audience. Which it then explicitly identifies in the next bit of print; “Let’s say you’re about to buy a new pickup…”

    Again the primary focus for these ads seems to be toward people in the market for a new truck. As far as sales go, it is these advertisements to sell the buyer on at least considering what the brand brings to the table. Lesser seen in print ads, but common on television is the quote: “come test drive” car x. The hope is that the consumer will fall in love with the automobile first hand, after all, print and video ads are still limiting.

    The newest of the three advertisements being Dodge RAM’s “throwback” ad. This advertisement features the ever refined dodge 3500 towing a camping trailer parked out in the woods in an old school style print filter. The large heading reads “Find Yourself,” then in smaller letters “in places where no one else can.” That last smaller statement is vastly important because it implies that this truck---and no other---gives you the customer the power to go places where inferior trucks cannot. The warm glow of the fire shows off the aggressive body lines of the truck, and draws the eye to the most colorful part of the ad; the truck itself. After the viewer sees this truck “in its environment,” the statements below are also intriguing to potential customers. “Best in class 30,000 L.B. towing.” “Best in class 850 L.B.-F.T. torque.” Obviously this is an important marketing technique for Dodge with their pickups. Proving once again that this is an effective and common strategy throughout history and even today.

    Barely lifting the hatch on the truck advertisements over the past hundred years, it is pretty clear that between the three main American truck brands what is important. Being the “best in class” in any and all areas are not only what is necessary for their marketing, but it also continues to raise the standards for these automobiles. With numbers that do not lie, Ford, GM, and Dodge all use these strategies against one another in attempt to dominate the truck market in America.

2013 Ad from Dodge:

1948 Ad from Ford:

1970 Ad from Chevrolet: