Final Tips and Resources: Target as an Argument

Hey Rhetorical Critics!

Thanks for joining us today in the trenches of Holiday Retail Hypnosis!!!! To add to your experience, you may want to visit http://www.target.com/gp/homepage.html/601-8364409-2468921 for more Target info and ideas.

"Rhetoric's definition: the art of persuasion, suggests power [at play]. So much of what we recieve from others--from family to friends to 30 second blurbs on TV--is intended to persuade. Recognizing how this is done gives greater power to choose." (Villanueva Jr, in 'Envision' by Alfano and Obrian, 2005, p. 3).

How do the bullseye design and the Target Dog make an argument? What is the argument?

What type of reasoning (rhetorical strategy) does the advertising you observed on our lil' field trip employ? Narrative, or a story which sells?
What about comparison/contrast?
Or examples and illustrations to show how products can be used or make the buyer feel?
Or definitions?
Or analogies?
Or cause and effect?

Did you see appeals made to logic (facts), emotion, including language and/or humor, and/or appeals to authority and/or character?

Who is Target's ""TARGET"" customer? How do you know? What did you see in the store, on TV and/or on the web that tells you who the Target customer is. Who is left out of Target's customer appeals, be they visual, written and/or marketing tactics? Consider gender, race and/or (dis)ability as well as age and income levels.

Please post your questions and comments about this final, (due on 12/15 by 1130am at the very latest) below so we can all learn from each others challenges and concerns for clarification and insight. Students are encouraged to help give input on each others postings and enrich the unique learning community I have so enjoyed participating in with all of you over the course of this semester! It has been a real pleasure to get to know you all and explore unusual paths of learning. Keep in touch and please take this from our time together: Learn the rules in order to break them intelligently and don't EVER settle for boredom, don't produce it or accept it either!

OUR HERO, ALL HAIL THE KING DEBATER (Crowd Cheers in the Background)

IN HONOR OF THE CHAMPION OF THE LOS RIOS DEABATE TOURNAMENT, (MORE APPLAUSE) YOUR FINAL BLOG, "THE TURKEYNATOR" ASSIGNMENT WILL BE TO, USING ALL CAPS IN HONOR OF ALEX'S "UNIQUE" EMAIL PERSONA, POST A COMPARISON OR ANALOGY WHICH ESTABLISHES CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ALEX'S DEBATE STYLE AND THE BIRD OF THE HOUR: THE TURKEY.

WHAT AN HONOR, TO BE COMPARED TO THIS VALIANT, BRAVE BIRD WHICH OFFERS ITS LIFE SO WE CAN OVER EAT AND SIT AROUND WITH PEOPLE WE AREN'T CRAZY ABOUT YET ARE RELATED TO, ON A SPECIAL THURSDAY EVERY YEAR .

TIPS: THINK STRATEGY, WINGS, CLAIMS, FEATHERS, PILGRIMS, WARRANTS, GIBLETS, STUFFING, DATA, CLAIMS...HOW DO THEY ALL MEET UP IN THE CHARACTER OF THIS FINE EXAMPLE, OUR CHAMPION DEBATER AND CLASSMATE, ALEX PAGAN?

Mark's Van and The Feild Trip of a Lifetime

Some people travel to Paris, others, New York, but you--YES YOU my debating masters, you will join us for the special exotic get away to South Sacramento, home of the Land Park Zoo and Radio Shack! Why do a final term paper when you can have the trip of a lifetime? Limos are so "last year," vans are what the cool peeps roll in these days, so once you arrive at CRC's parking lot around noon (the front lot) You will board Mark's "Pimp-mobile" adorned with plush man-made material -lined seats and your own plastic cup holder, you'll enjoy a delicious, icy half a soda and a power bar, served by Mark's personal assistant "Cherry." As if that wasn't enough, as part of Mark's posse, you will then be escorted down scenic Highway 99 to the beautiful, Sac City campus, currently flanked by colorful plastic "under construction" signage and yellow caution tape. Breathless! Mark will immediately help you out of the van while Cherry belly dances on a beach towel in the parking lot to announce your arrival. Next--You'll be handed a breath mint and the magic will begin! (Well, actually first you will have to hike five miles because there is no close parking at SC right now, but it will be a lovely stroll!) Anyhow, you will be directed to the debate by a plush red carpet (or paper hand made signs) and check in at the large information board to find your your debate number, name, resolution topic and room number assignment for the first round. For each of the two rounds you will get about 15 minutes to prepare, topics will be general current events. For just $5, you will recieve gourmet pizza and soda on the rocks served on lovely paper plates before a final exciting awards round and the awards ceremony. The glamorous debate is from 12pm-6pm and if you don't go in the van with us, call my cell to find us there: 799-7930. Dress to impress, no tuxedos and ball gowns.--Your Fearless Leader
PS: Post your own rediculously exagerated blog here to get credit for the final humor posting. Double points if you use photos or images to make a humorous argument and triple points if you post over Thanksgiving Break to my action packed Turkeynator Blog coming up next week!!

Tiffany's Special, One Time Page Reduction Blog

Well, let's all thank Tiffany for the fabulous idea to shorten the Blog Paper (or skip it if you just go to the SC debate next Friday in Mark's Pimp-Mobile!)...You can do a 5-7 page paper (instead of 6-8) if you respond with at least 5 sentences below identifying how the clip we watched from Stuck on You (the greatest film ever created in the history of the world) works as an argument. Use some Toulmin or something, would ya? The Farrelly Brothers, who created the film, as well as Fargo and Something About Mary, use humor in a different way then the common, guy trips on a banana peel and bangs his head into the wall kinda way...What did the scene we watched together in class say about "freaks?" Do you think it is possible for humor to heal differences? Was the clip encouraging us to make fun of anyone? Feel free to include references to the other movies mentioned above as well as the clip from today. Visit this site: http://www.stuckonyoumovie.com/index.php for more laughs and a trailer from Stuck on You. Let's explore the "subversive" nature of dark humor...(its ability to promote change and empowerment).
CON JOBBIE LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHICH WAY IS UP FOR THE CON JOBBIE? 

The Con Position Paper: Dum dee dum dum dum..........

Hello fellow argumentation bloggers. I hope this finds you well. After you finish your pro position paper...it is time for the Con-Jobbie!!! Sounds like a detective invetigating a scam of some sort....a con, a wise guy.....see what I mean?

In a page and a half or so, create a detailed outline, brief description or draw out a mind map or sketch pictures with words below, whatever, get creative, but give me your resolution and show me how you would argue against change (opposition) and try to point out that there is no prima facie case, the grounds of presuposition should remain intact, status quo should continue...IF IT AINT BROKE, don't fix it.....get my drift? The opposition needs to have an alternative plan in mind, so they should guess what they Gov'ts plan may be and oppose that with a better way to "improve" what is already in place...plus, clash like a color blind designer at Fashion Week baby! CLASH!!! Guess how you might clash with definitional terms in the resolution, any stock issues you know for sure they will present as "contentions" or sub-arguments...Highlight the "dis-ads" or the problematics that come with the government's plan to change things...disadvantages, if you will....emphasize the greater harm that will prevail if the govt changes the status quo with their resolution...show how this is worse than the mild down side of the current system as is...what visual aid would you use to strengthen your argument? When would you put it up? What fallacies will you call the govt on if they make them? How will you summarize creatively and reiterate a strong argument during the rebuttal? Don't forget that even though the Govt begins the case, the leader of the opposition should have some opening comments and a brief introduction prepared as well...stylize your persuasive speaking tactics. rEMEMBER, THIS is not AN ESSAY...Good luck and watch for the humor blog coming next, in audio format for your listening pleasure! PEACE OUT HOME SLICES.

No Monkey Business! What's my fallacy kids? 

Photo Time

After class today, I thought I would experiment with photos on the Blog and show Chris and Alfredo that I can blog with the best of 'em! So, your next blogging assignment is to post a photo and identify a fallacy that might be evident in the photo, using Chapter Eight. The photo has to have you in it and, yes, you must have clothes on, Brian! Ok--I'll go first: Here is a picture of Steve and I...It features the faulty analogy fallacy by suggesting that being in love and getting married is ALWAYS happy bliss, LIKE a beautiful day at the beach with crashing waves and a light salty mist, a natural beautiful fantasy......when in reality, it is also like sitting in bumper to bumper traffic....or, say -- like being enlisted in the army, while other days might it is like reading an encyclopedia for nine or so hours straight...so the fallacy comes in when an argument (visual or written) relies too heavily on a particular analogy, insisting that something is LIKE something else, either literal or figurative. This example is figurative because the blissful beach serves as a metaphor for wedded bliss. A literal analogy would be: My marriage is LIKE Tom Cruise and Katy Holmes's marriage. Wait, are they married? Well, anyway, get the picture? AHAHhahaheehahah NO really, I mean it: 'get the picture' and do the assignment before I flunk you. By the way, wouldn't it have been funny if we sent out a wedding photo of the two of us slumped on the couch in wrinkled sweats, watching E.R. and fighting over the remote?

Sincerely,

Blog City

Research Assignment Blog: GOOD TIMES!

REMINDER: TUESDAY SEPT 27TH MEET IN THE LIBRARY AT 11AM, ROOM L317 FOR OUR RESEARCH DAY MY FELLOW BLOGGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay now that you are all polished parlimentary debate gurus, let's turn to research...visit
http://www.itools.com/research/ and post a response to the following resolution, YOU MUST INCLUDE a proper citation with quotation marks and a date reference, source reference, ect. Also, please try to connect to other students responses or take issue with them...this is ARGUMENTATION class in case you forgot! See my example in color as you read below. The graded debate assignment will be focused on Hurricane Katrina, so be sure to save the research you do for this blog and use it in your graded parli debate!

THB: The Federal Government should significantly improve mobilization tactics to evacuate potential victims of natural disasters.

Definined: Potential victims includes primarlily those low income and otherwise challenged folks who were left behind in Katrina's evacuation, so under my plan, an emphasis would be put on reaching the public housing districts, hospitals and other locations where people may not have access to transportation or fully understand the danger of an ensuing storm.

Research citation: A profound example of the significant harm posed by the structural flaws in the current evacuation system can be seen in the ways large groups on senior citizens drowned in rest homes and minority residents were left stranded on rooftops and swimming in sewage. FEMA claims to have granted the money congress approved to prepare New Orleans for a Hurricane evacuation over the last couple of years, but according to the Associated Press at http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/17/katrina.evacuation.ap/, "that plan was designed for traffic management, not to provide transportation or contingencies for the infirm, elderly and poor who could not get out on their own, officials said," (September 22, 2004).
Okay, your turn...BRING IT ON!--The Blogging Queen

The Exam

Sorry guys, I just turned it back on this morning...go ahead and finish Exan 1 up by Tuesday at Midnight, okay? Have a great weekend and watch for your next blog assignment, coming soon to a blogger near you. Let me know of any good arguments you encounter after President Bush's speech on the Katrina recovery plan last week.
--Sandra

He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression.-- Thomas Paine

haHAHAHAHA!!!

i KICKED THAT SPAMMER'S B*7% -- hOWEVER, YOU WILL HAVE TO POST HERE AND NOT BELOW TO RESPOND TO THE NEXT BLOG ASSIGNMENT: So click comments right below here and have at it...Amanda, Brian, Alex and Rachel: Two words: BRRRRRING IT! Great job with the first full blown debate performance...See you all Thursday:

Top Ten George W. Bush Debate Strategies
10. Ask the question, "We've never had a horse-faced president so why start now?"
9. Instead of witty retorts, have secret service wrestle Senator Kerry to the ground.
8. Use Kerry's long-winded answers to take much needed bathroom breaks.
7. Hope one of them hurricanes cancels the debate.
6. Instead of water, fill Kerry's mug with Red Bull and vodka.
5. Find time to work in joke prop--giant waffle.
4. Moving his lips to pretend microphone isn't working.
3. Handle it same way he handled national guard duty--don't show up.
2. If Kerry makes a good point, distract him with some chaw spit in the eye.
1. Point out Senator Kerry's mispronunciation of the word "nucular." Letterman Archive 2004

1st Exam on Blackboard NOW++Local Activism!!!

Take your first timed exam on Blackboard in the next week...it is open book, of course, please do your own work, though. A study guide is also available. I WILL GET THIS UP BY THURSDAY, 9-8 AND YOU WILL GET EXTRA TIME!

More importantly, here is some info on the Louisiana situation, fyi:

Donate Spare Change
Donate Now to the American Red Cross at Coinstar machinesYour Spare Change Makes a Difference!
Just by bringing your spare change to the grocery store, you can help the American Red Cross bring relief to disaster victims in your area and across the country.
Approximately 130 million Americans live within 2 miles of a Coinstar machine. If even half of those American donated just $1 in spare change to the Red Cross, it would raise more than $65 million to support American Red Cross lifesaving services in communities nationwide!
Find the Coinstar machine nearest you. (Please note that some Coinstar machines are not yet equipped with the donation option. To confirm that your grocery store can accept donations to the American Red Cross, please call 1-800-928-CASH.)
How Can $1 Make a Difference?
66 pennies: Allows us to give a child any one of 11 "after the disaster" coloring books and a box of crayons.$1: Buys one family expert safety information.$3: Buys a comfort kit with toiletries for one disaster victim.$6: Buys one blanket for a disaster shelter.Quarters: Add up to dollars and $ 30 buys a pair of shoes for a disaster victim. Dimes: Add up to dollars $ 65 buys a winter coat for a disaster victim. $10: Buys one day of groceries for a family affected by a disaster. $20: Buys a home clean-up kit for a family affected by a disaster.

Your next blog, to be posted by a different person from your group, must describe, using data, claim (with a qualifier) and a warrant, an argument about the Katrina after math and what you propose (in a proposition/resolution) to do about it, as a group or our class as a whole. Then, we will use some class time to carry out your proposition, so make it do-able, realistic and local. Will it be fact, value or policy? HInt: We need ACTION! Visit the Red Cross Website soon, at http://www.redcross.org/index.html

Small Group Postings

Hey Team! the group breakdowns we worked on for Chapter Two, as well as the review of chapter 1 and 3 should be posted on this thread, one posting per group, but whoever posts, please list the names of everyone in your group. I am looking for about two paragraphs each from each group to help the rest of the class digest the section you focused on. Let's keep it interesting, colorful and clear. I'll go first with an example:
Page 53-56 in Chapter Three covers Terms Needing Definition, or ways for an advocate to help clarify the argument and persuade her audience. She has to define terms, like if someone said "Yes I wrote that paper myself" but really they copied it out of some one else's homework...they actually cheated, see technically, they wrote it...that is equivocation and it is a fallacy if a single meaning isn't clarified. Vaugue terms, like "great" and "everyone" should be made more specific and technical terms should be "dumbed down" for people who are not experts in a super specialized field. I don't know what a neurotransmitter and a peptide is, but if you said "the brain function that causes emotion" I can understand that, it is less technical, see? It invites more people into the argument. One example of new terms could be slang and hip words such as "That's how I roll..." which some older person might think means I get onto the ground and roll around instead of the current meaning: That's just how I do things, dawg. Finally, coined terms are when we make up a new word, like MacDonaldization is used to mean that we live in a fast-food, immediate gratification society...Oh, or when a celebrity couple's names get run together, like "Benniffer" for Ben and J-Lo back in ancient history...to help define these, see page 55 and 56 in our INTERESTING (I'd rather drag myself through broken glass than read it) TEXT BOOK!!!!! We can use other words that mean the same thing, or describe the function of a confusing word, like You say "That's just how I roll," when you don't want to be questioned about reckless or odd behavior...Sometimes you can describe what something is not to help people get what it is, like a private contractor does not work for some one else or single is "not married" --You can also use behaviors and operations to help describe things. My group included Sandra, Sandi and Ms. Wheeler, peace out homies!

The TOULMINATOR!!!

I read the data and claims you turned in in class today--not bad, not bad...who turned in the anonamous essay, I am dying to know!!!!! What a mystery! Okay, Here is a claim: Grass is green. What is my data or evidence? (Because) it contains minerals that contain phosphorus. Now, what is a warrant or shared value for this simple argument? Warrants are pretty abstract (non-specific) and simple, so try:
(Since) Chemical make up affects a plants coloring...Which is causal reasoning (phosphorus causes green tones).....Okay, now you guys try: Here is a data, claim and warrant: Can you identify the parts or try coming up with your own Toulminator? To test a warrant, add the word since in front of it...and add because in front of data to test it. A claim can always have "so" or therefore added before it.
Vote for Pedro
Leaders should make our world a better place.
All your wildest dreams will come true
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS. ARGUE LIKE MIDIEVIL WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
----S. Dynamite

Welcome to Our Blog!

Thanks for signing up for my class...Here is the Argumentativeness Scale [1]. I hope it lets you know where you are coming into our adventure this fall! Remember, chapter one ends with the quote: "Argumentation is about personal growth. Even if you don't win, you still grow!" (p. 21).

Indicate how often each statement is true for you personally by placing the appropriate number in the blank to the left of the statement.

If the statement is almost never true of you, place a “1” in the blank.
If the statement is rarely true of you, place a “2” in the blank.
If the statement is occasionally true of you, place a “3” in the blank.
If the statement is often true of you, place a “4” in the blank.
If the statement is almost always true of you, place a “5” in the blank.

_____ 1. While in an argument, I worry that the person I am arguing with will form a negative
impression of me.
_____ 2. Arguing over controversial issues improves my intelligence.
_____ 3. I enjoy avoiding arguments.
_____ 4. I am energetic and enthusiastic when I argue.
_____ 5. Once I finish an argument I promise myself that I will not get into another.
_____ 6. Arguing with a person creates more problems for me than it solves.
_____ 7. I have a pleasant, good feeling when I win a point in an argument.
_____ 8. When I finish arguing with someone I feel nervous and upset.
_____ 9. I enjoy a good argument over a controversial issue.
_____ 10. I get an unpleasant feeling when I realize I am about to get into an argument.
_____ 11. I enjoy defending my point of view on an issue.
_____ 12. I am happy when I keep an argument from happening.
_____ 13. I do not like to miss the opportunity to argue a controversial issue.
_____ 14. I prefer being with people who disagree with me.
_____ 15. I consider an argument an exciting intellectual challenge.
_____ 16. I find myself unable to think of effective points during an argument.
_____ 17. I feel refreshed and satisfied after an argument of a controversial issue.
_____ 18. I have the ability to do well in an argument.
_____ 19. I try to avoid getting into arguments.
_____ 20. I feel excitement when I expect that a conversation I am in is leading to an argument.


Argumentativeness Scoring

1. Add your scores on items: 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20.
2. Add 60 to the sum obtained in step 1.
3. Add your scores on items: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19.
4. To compute your argumentativeness score, subtract the total obtained in step 3 from the
total obtained in step 2.

Step 1. Step 3.
Add: Add:

2. _____ 1. _____
4. _____ 3. _____
7. _____ 5. _____
9. _____ 6. _____
11. _____ 8. _____
13. _____ 10. _____
15. _____ 12. _____
17. _____ 14. _____
18. _____ 16. _____
20. _____ 19. _____

Step 1, sub-Total _______ Step 3, sub-Total ______ (Line B)

Step 2. Step 1 sub-total above + 60 =
_____ ( Line A)

Step 4.
Line A Line B Argumentativeness Score
_____ - _____ = _______

Interpretation
73 – 100 = High in Argumentativeness
72 – 56 = Moderate in Argumentativeness
55 – 20 = Low in Argumentativeness
[1] Infante, D. A., & Rancer., A. S. (1992). A conceptualization and measure of argumentativeness. Journal of Personality Assessment, 46, 72-80.

Now post your score and tell us what you fear, hate, look forward to or may have allergies to in this class! Make sure I get your score!--Sandra

LIve From College Greens: Sandrah's Bibliography Act IV: #3

Sandrah's Thesis Bibliography Act IV: #2

Sandrah's Thesis Bibliography Act IV: #1

Last Spring Arg Audio Post: LIBRARY TEST! Urgent!!!

Being John Malkovich

That was pretty much the best BLOG ever. Great discussion. You should all see I Heart Huckabees if you liked Napoleon Dynamite--It is really funny! Today, we saw weird clips in class. They exemplify odd, dark or quirky dry humor...John Makovich was about a company that exists on the 7 1/2th floor of a building where no normal people can stand up straight and a portal that allows normal people to enter John Malkovich the famous actor-- to live as him inside of his head for 15 minutes and then you get thrown out onto the Jersey Turnpike. This movie deals a lot with metaphors (a symbolic representation of something literal, like running water and the sound of it can be a metaphor for peaceful nature...) So...just based on what you saw today, tell me what you think the movie is trying to convey and how it does this through metaphor. Don't bother with posts of I never saw the movie, I will not count them. Just go off what we watched in class: Lots of times movies use strange devices and scenarios to comment on life and work and love, abstract stuff like that...Hints to sniff out metaphors in BJM:
What does it say about being a celebrity?
Why does the movie use puppets so much?
What does a short ceiling make people do while they are at work? Who would LIKE to work there?
What do all of the language misunderstandings symbolize?
Is anybody happy in the movie?
Also, don't forget to bring your cartoon on Wed for the humor assignment, along with the citation. :-)
Next Monday we will dedicate class to The Chappelle Show, to make sure we talk about some one you guys are into...
XO--Sandra The Blogging Movie Junkie

Napoleon Dynamite: Awesome!

She's pretty much my soul mate.
The lyger is pretty much my favorite animal.
Gramma says you're pretty much ruining my life...and eating all the steak...

Qualifiers in the film make it funny, right? It is the incongruity of an over the top sweeping "all-ness" statement and then a modest lil' qualifier. What are some other examples from this movie that use Toulmin and/or your humor chapter to operate on the audience:

Hints: What is it specifically about the relationship between Pedro and Napoleon that's so funny? What does this say about ethnicity? (Warrant?)

What's so funny about those little weird braided key chains that Deb makes for Pedro's campaigne? What types of arts and crafts did you make when you were little and why are they so funny now?

Why is Napoleon's dance practice session in his "Pegasus-Crossing" bedroom so funny?

What is funny about Pedro's mustache? (think causal reasoning: if...then...) The Happy Hands Club?

What about the Uncle, there's a real basic warrant there...a character stuck in the past...

What's so funny about Napoleon's Tee shirts?

Take a stab at a few of these and then tell me what your favorite part was. Then you can do this type of analysis with the humorous cartoon you select for the final paper.

Extra Credit: What is the overall warrant for the movie, what does it say about Nerdiness? (Since...)

If you wan to use any of my skills, you can...Sandra

Censorship? Standards? Good Taste? Blog Rules...

Thank you all for sharing, I hope you are deep into the chapter on humor at this point! FYI: Any offensively graphic postings will be deleted. Also, any blogs containing the F word, threats and or violence, even if its meant in jest will not be counted towards your total. I guess now I have to be a kind of Blog-Bouncer. We'll talk about it in class. I respect your right to free speech, but start your own blog for that, K? Please play nice! Thanks,
--The Masked Blogger

We Now Have a PINK Blog in Honor of the Unicorn

Your last assignment is underway, (SNIFF) I'm getting a little choked up...Since we will be working with humor our talented puppet-master and controversial speech-maker Mr. Jeff P. has phoned in a powerful special guest star audio blog from the road --(click the audio entry below this one, "For a call time") Your 5 line minimum response to his audioblog is due BEFORE 230pm on Tuesday April 26th. Think educational stand-up comedy meets reality TV!
Thanks to Michelle, Christina R. Jeff(s) and Rob PLUS Latoya and Kendall for trying to help me post audio, we had technical difficulties. The Magic schoolbus driver offers her "skills of gratitude and sweet fashion advice." You all look like midieval warriors to me!

AUDIENCE ANALYSIS
Our class and blog are an open, minimally censored environment, but as cultural critics and potential rock star bloggers, we must analyze audience! Don't use language that excludes others based on race, class and/or gender, you narrow your audience. That's just how I roll. Blog on my virtual brothers and sisters!--
Wheeler, OUT
(That's how Ryan Seacrest signs off from American Idol

PS: Respond to THIS posting if so moved, with 5 lines minimum by telling us a hilarious real life experience that makes you an expert on argumentation and humor or responding to some one else's funny story or discussing Napoleon Dynamite as huorous argument.

Don't forget: April 30th at 830am for forty possible Extra Credit G's!
Library Test is due with 80% or better.
Unicorns rock SO bond with other Uni-fans at http://www.unicornsunited.com/PAGE6.HTM (wink)

For a call time, good!

Kayo

fairycandydancer@aol.com for recka...good luck tomorrow! Shock and awe attention getters, bring fireworks and dancers!

No Whack Speeches! Proposals

On Monday, April 18th, (MY BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope you all get A's! Review the proposal assignment sheet carefully!) .............you folks will begin to give me the gift of a lovely speech, featuring a "should" or "should not" statement about an important policy/legal issue using your packet guidlelines and book chapter for guidance. By tomorrow, Wed 4/13 your topics and topic proposals will be due to me. In addition on 4/13 we will have a quiz on the Dave Chappelle handout from Monday 4/11. This handout can also be used as a source citation for your humor paper which is the last assignment of the class. We will watch an example video on Wed 4/13 so you can see what the proposal debate format will look like. Plan to meet at least once with your partner to practice (Happy Hour does not count!!!!!!!) You will get some time Wed (tomorrow) to get started on research together. I suggest going through the speech about five times. Don't forget to include a semi-impromptu rebuttal! Good luck! Here is the speech list. If you are not on it, there are a couple blank lines left. Proposal speeches will NOT be done after their assigned day, so NO make ups and re-schedules on this one!

Non-Negotiable Speech Dates: 430pm Class
Monday
Jeff and Sarah – April 18
Jon and Al – April 18
Scott and Iong – 4-18
Christina Franco and Julie – 4/18
_________________________

Wed
Christina and Michelle –4/20
Jona and Sandy – 4/20
Alisha and Ashley – 4/20
Marycon and Adrienne—4/20
Guy and Kevin – 4/20

Monday
Jessica and Jon – 4/25
Lindsey and Riz – 4/25
Jeff and Robb-4/25
________________________
Non-Negotiable Speech Dates: 3pm Class
Monday
Recka and Kayo – 4/18
Natalie and SherRee – 4/18
Mike and Charlie – 4/18
Korrie and Jen C. – 4-18
__________________________
Wednesday
Sarah and Marc—4/20
Kim and Michelle – 4/20
Matt and Reh –4/20
Carly and Jen N.—4/20
Elaine and Candy—4/20

Monday
Kelly and Raquel – 4/25
Chrissa and Chris – 4/25
Matt and Eva – 4/25
Monica and Katrina – 4/ 25

The Joy of Proposal Debates

Are you ready for policy debates? Ready to say "should"??? It's the last speech of the semester, hooray!!! You will need to blog in with a 5 line minimum this week and confirm
1. who your partner is
2. who you are
3. one pro
4. and one con issue you envision see about working with and debating against this person.

You must agree on an issue involving public, state or local government and the debate will argue both sides of the issue, each of you choosing one side and suggesting or PROPOSING action in the form of a "should statement," or imperative. "Pro-" is the argument to leave current policy, law or practice alone: If it aint broke...the other side, or "con" says we need to make some changes and you propose what those changes would be. This speech is worth a lot so get started. [Recka, you and Kayo will work together, fyi.] Most of you know who you will work with. Also, first blog first served when it comes to choosing speech dates, so in your posting, sign up to go either a week from Monday, April 18th, or the following Wed 4/20 or two weeks from Monday on April 25th. You may claim your order on that day as well. If you miss your proposal speech, you may not make it up. Don't forget the extra credit rookie debate is coming up later this month. With forty points possible to make up, think about it! Also, all of your fallacy assignments are now graded and any grading update requests should be requested to me by email if you need to see where you stand with points. ALSO-----This website gives some policy topic ideas to help you prepare for your speech ideas. http://www.ncpa.org/sid/

J'aime le fromage !

david duchovney's blog

http://lionsgatedirectors.com/duchovny/index_flash.html

Oh Yeah? well...CAUSE T H I S!!!!!!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Oh Yeah? well...CAUSE T H I S!!!!!!

Somebody call Rob and tell him break is over! He's still in Cancun!
Causal Speech Tips:
1. Don't be aburrido! (Spanish for what???????? Rhymes with "snoring"....)
2. Relate your cause to three effects.
3. Use shock and awe attention getters. You may want to bring first aid for fainting audience members, Charlie!
4. Examples:
a. Gun control laws reduce violent crimes.
b. A one parent families causes more independent children
c. Competitive sports for college students causes success later in business.
d. TV violence causes school shootings.
e. Jeff P's jokes cause laughter, which cause relaxation and bonding which in turn, cause an enhanced learning envoronment and better Coms Two productivity. (chain of causation)
f. Jeff P's jokes are disruptive during class and cause Lindsey to miss important learning opportunities.
g. Positive effects of Sarah's evaluative speech on travel included more students traveled over Spring Break, Kim and Jennifer watched movies ABOUT traveling and finally, the Board of Tourism noted a dramatic increase in tickets purchased by Sac State Coms 2 students. Guy went to Italy.

To Get Credit For This Week's Post:
In five sentences, minimum, tell us something about you as an audience member that will help the speakers reach you and better analyze their audience. Use our class for examples. I'll go first.

Oh Yeah? well...CAUSE T H I S!!!!!!

Welcome back..(HEY: Somebody call Rob and tell him breaks over. He 's still in Cancun in a grass skirt...) Tips for causal arguments, since speeches begin next week (if you went on Monday for def and evals, you go Wed this time)

1. Riz....This means you: No OBVIOUS cause and effect arguments. ie: lack of water causes thirst...B O R I N G !!!! (aburrido in Spanish!) Pot causes the munchies.....Don't even think about it Jeffrey!!!!!! (You either Raquel!!!!)

2. Interesting types of causes include: background or little known causes, hidden causes, whack, or battez causes.
ie: Major Claim): Bananas are NOT the best source of potassium, did you know? .........Pause for the shock and awe attention getting response. Some students may actually faint, SO bring first aid, Scott.

3. (therefore) Eating avacados causes healthy potassium levels and (because/ evidence) they are better for you than bananas, better for the farming/soil environment and your purchase keeps the California economy booming instead of supporting banana growers outside of our state by buying bananas ! (Three examples of evidence connecting to EFFECTS that will be supported in the body of the speech.)

4. The audience: Will Kevin or Matt care/understand/agree/disagree? Will Scott and Jon even believe that Tomatoes cause the same effects as avacdos? Why should Christina and Tatyana even believe YOU? (Unless/reservation): )ie: Maybe Sara, Jonah, Natalie and Michelle's parent ALWAYS chopped up Banana's for their childhood breakfast cereal...avacados just ARE NOT the same!!!!! They will NOT be persuaded by your meaningful potassium plea...You can't eat avacados on Cheerios, they cry, interupting your speech...COME ON!!!!!!! uunnlleesssss.....guacomole on an egg burrito esta muy, muy delisioso y calliente, amigos! Breakfast problem solved!

4. CUT TO DREAM SEQUENCE:
Sarah, Julie, Recka...even Michelle and Charlie now believe your beautiful causal argument, Lindsey...which they indicate by nodding until spraining their necks and standing and clapping vigorously until their hands bleed. Being an insightful, as well as fashionable Teaching Associate, SANDRA notices this obvious sign of your DEEP audience analysis and contacts the dean of Com Studies to insist that a new grade, one far Better than an A+, be developed in your honor. You are a hero. Avacado farmers throughout California rejoice and erect statues in your honor.

NO LATE BIBLIOGRAPHIES OR TOPIC PROPSALS, EVERYTHING IS DUE WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR SPEECH!

Look at this Cute Puppy: Now Send Me Money! Emotional Appeals are Battez!

ABSOLUTELY NO LATE FALLACY ASSIGNMENTS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE ACCEPTED (Caps are like yelling, huh? That's a scare tactic fallacy, sorry...)
Good places to start:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
http://www.serc.si.edu/
http://www.fguardians.org/
http://www.ecomall.com/activism/activism.htm
http://whistler.sierraclub.org/action/tamain?alid=287&st=curr
http://www.waste-not-basket.com/
http://www.pathtofreedom.com/links/activism/environment.shtml
http://www.nrdc.org/media/pressreleases/040122.asp (this one features Leo DiCaprio!)

and for tips on fallacies and how to identify them:
http://www.cuyamaca.net/bruce.thompson/Fallacies/intro_fallacies.asp
http://www.philosophy.eku.edu/Williams/HON102Web/falsec-web.htm
http://www.curedisease.com/falaciousreasoning.html
Remember: Highlight the portion of the ad or article you are claiming holds a fallacy: Use Yellow
Remember: Correct at least five of the fallacies you identify!
Remember a complete bibliography! (APA/MLA)
Remember: You can repeat 2, that's two of your favorite fallacies
Remember: Battez is ""whack"" in French! Recycling is so NOT battez!
Anyone want to post their own suggestions to help the rest of the class? Anyone? ANYONE????

Guest Blogger Christina F. !!!! (LOUD APPLAUSE)

Ladies and Gentlemen, all the way from Sacramento's eight-mile in Mendocino Hall, I present, Arg-YOU-mentation's very first special guest blogger! Nothing short of BRILLIANT & insightful, COMS 2 superstar and newly-successful definitional speech-maker Christina F. (2005) states "for the blog this topic is fairly new its about the rap group G-unit and the rapper 50 cent. To make a long story short 50 doesn't like Ja Rule and one of the rappers in G-Unit called The Game wasn't backing 50 up on the whole beef between the two so he got kicked out!um im not sure if you really want to use it but its an argument in itself" (personal email, March 2. 2005). ASSIGNMENT: For this blog, in order to get credit, you MUST respond to Christina's prompt and connect it to either the hasty generalization fallacy and/OR issues of evaluation for the next speech...go here for more scoop on the big controversy if this topic interests you http://www.mtv.com/bands/j/ja_rule/news_feature_031103/index2.jhtml (a correct Hasty G AND Evaluation will earn TWO points this week.Post your own Fallacy Wrap Name. Mine is Hasty G, so don't be a hater, ah-ight??CONGRATULATIONS for getting through the first and scariest speech of the semester! Peace, out--Hasty G in dah Howse

Office Space is a Cinematic Masterpiece!!!

Hello My Definitional Muses--
Later in class today, (Wed 2/23) we begin the journey through definitional argument and "genus vs species," from your textbook. Don't feel like the guy with the thick glasses stuck in the basement looking for his stapler in Office Space, here is an overview of the speech which may help you with yout outline. As you prepare your case, selected from our class packet, and get ready to argue in a speech format, consider the following structure:

1. Intro, with a clear thesis statement of your main claim. ie: I am here today to argue that Billy stold the ketchup! Preview of your mainpoints, or the BECAUSE part of the enthymeme you began with your major claim above(about key definitional terms and clarification, such as "stealing" vs "oversight or accident")
and a review of the case for your audience, (from the packet, which you should provide a citation for) followed by a transition to the body of speech.

2. body of speech to include identification of key definitional terms, references to APA/MLA citations from your bibliography that give you authority/credibility to make your claim (legal websites, journals on your topic, newspaper examples of similar cases, etc. ) and discussion of genus and species from your book, as well as how it applies to YOUR particular case. Then, transition into a summary.

3. Begin the conclusion with conclusive language, letting us know you are wrapping up. ie: Before we wrap this up, let me quickly review my main ponts.

Next, Review the evidence you gave in the body of speech briefly, followed by your thesis statement AGAIN, repeated from intro and now, followed by your explicit warrant. For instance: Today I have clarified how the legal definition of stealing (stealing is a key term) makes it very clear that concealing ketchup under one's clothing and running out the front door of Safeway without paying is clearly "stealing" rather than an "accident." (accident is another key term) THESIS: As I stated in my introduction today, (SO) Billy stold the ketchup/EVIDENCE: because if he had forgotten to pay, he would not have hidden it under his jacket and run out of the store. While the term "accident" fits the genus of stealing, it clearly violates the species, THEREFORE (repeat thesis) Billy stold the ketchup. (SINCE) We all know that in a civilized society, you only get what you pay for (explicit warrant), the actual court trial agreed with my argument here today, and Judge Johnson found Billy guilty as well. (I will give you the ACTUAL RULING for this part in class today, but you must state it in the end, after your warrant, as shown here).

"Uh, yeah, it's not a Half-Day...."
Hand in after your speech, to me, your notecards, and your typed APA or MLA bibliography of all sources used, including the packet for the case itself. As you prepare for this speech, your 2-part blogging assignment is this:

1.Using the movie and the clip we saw in class, post a serious question you have about developing your definitional argument. (ie: What are the key terms about "stealing" that come up when the three main characters decide to rip off the company and how do they justify this as "not REALLY stealing?"Number this as part one.

2. In a short part two, respond to anyone else in the classes' posting and try to help them with their question, offer advice and/or another example from the movie Office Space, the book or your own personal experience. Make it clear to whom you are addressing this part, so they can benefit from your input. Enjoy the fact that Office Space is HILARIOUS, but please take the nuts and bolts of Definitonal argument seriously so we can all achieve the best grades possible on this first speech! Feel free to post questions to me as well that the whole class will benefit from, but use Office Space, not your actual case. Any specific questions about your own case should be directed to me in class or via private email, okay? -- NOW: WHERE'S YOUR "FLAIR???"

Erreur glissante de pente

Ha...see how much sexier argumentation sounds when you use French??? Erreur glissante de pente is French for The Slippery Slope Fallacy. Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can woo the object of your interest by saying, "Pardon, mon ami, regardez cette pente glissante ! (Excuse me, my love, look at that slippery slope!") Isn't that romantic? I KNOW!!! The slippery slope fallacy can be funny or serious. IE: If you smoke a bowl one time when you are eighteen, you'll end up adicted to crack and hallucinating and jumping out of a window...is a slippery slope...think of a snowball rolling down hill, starts out tiny, ends up HUGE! See how this fits into humor? Slippery slope, glissante de pente can be very funny! My Dad is the king of glissante de pente!!! "Sandra...If you don't change your oil every three thousand miles, your car wil certainly blow up !"

Examples of Serious Slippery Slope Claims
"We have to stop the tuition increase! The next thing you know, they'll be charging $40,000 a semester!"
"The US shouldn't get involved militarily in other countries. Once the government sends in a few troops, it will then send in thousands to die."
"You can never give anyone a break. If you do, they'll walk all over you."
"We've got to stop them from banning pornography. Once they start banning one form of literature, they will never stop. Next thing you know, they will be burning all the books!"

For this blog, 1. State an original (read your classmates' & come up with YOUR OWN or critique somebody else's) humorously exagerated slippery slope argument in OR about one of the superbowl commercials OR halftime show (HINT: think Janet compared to Paul...was that a slippery slope??? Oui oiu...) Tell me why your entry is a slippery slope in a way that shows you understand the fallacy, adding one French word of your choice! ***go here for quick and EZ translating from English to French PLUS: an instant increase in dating activity---- http://world.altavista.com/ The three funniest or most creative bloggers will get double credit, so don't be battez! ("Whack" in French)---Sincèrement, Mme. Wheeler

My Research Aces!

... the library asignment is behind us...WELL...some of us, but hey! Whose counting. Now that you are all research aces according to Linda Goff, who told me that I have a "lively bunch." (?) Okay, Toulmin mode: Tommy died because he ate poisonous mushrooms.
Data? Well, because is your big clue: Evidence or facts or personal experience, whatever you support your claim with. It may not always say outright "because" for instance: After eating poisonous mushrooms, Kenny kicked the bucket. (The because is "implied" but plug it in and it works.) Therefore is your key claim "sign" and again if it isn't there, plug it in: He ate poisonous mushrooms (therefore) Kenny kicked the bucket. Now "since" works for warrants. If you think about it, you usually say "since" in the context of, "since we can agree that poison kills" or "since everyone knows poison is lethal" So--- "since" a sign of an implied agreement between MOST people or what we sometimes call "common sense." (The warrant can even be reduced to "Poison kills" or that symbol on medicine bottles and rat poison) TRY: (Since): everyone knows that failure to bundle up in extreme weather can kill (W)---(Therefore): Kenny died again (Claim) --- when (because): he walked down the block barefoot on December 23rd. BUT: The way we would really say it would be shorter, such as: Kenny died beacuse he was out in the cold barefoot. I thought everyone knew that exposure in icy temperatures can kill you! Kenny makes me think of South Park, do you guys watch that? A lot of people say there is much more goin on than just silliness in that cartoon, like deeper political stuff. Type up a comment about what you think of South Park (The Simpsons, Kind of the Hill, other adult cartoons) and how they challenge the "dumming-down" by the media we see in predictable sit-coms and reality television. Think about the different characters and their voices (sometimes celebrities) and arguments that could be made there. If you can, label your own data, claim and (probably implied) warrant but only AFTER you type a response. (Try rebuttal/"unless" and backing & qualifier if you want to be advanced Toulminators!) I will go first. Kenny is the character I find most provocative in South Park beacause he always dies. Everyone knows you can only die ONCE, so what are Matt and Trey trying to do, point out how nutty we media zombies are for believing that an "actor" really is dying in a show or movie, when we know (s)he is alive, well and starring in another show the next week? It's always so gory when he dies, too, with rats and blood and violence. Somehow seeing this in animation makes fun of the "reality" of simulated death in action films and tv cops shows like CSI. (now I will go back to label with colors) Orange=CLAIM, green=data/evidence, Purple is the WARRANT, pink =Backing (evidence for the Warrant) blue: Rebuttall (unless they are trying to make us think) and most and always, in italics, are the qualifiers. Your thoughts, fellow bloggers? Smiles--Sandra

What would Ja do?

Ja Rule is a very important fellow, and as such, when big events and catastrophes of epic porportions transpire, I for one, want to know what Ja thinks. Nice comment, strangely familiar...a syllogism must be made in the spirit of argumentation: Ja Rule is an important commentator on world affairs because he makes tight beats. QUICK: What is the data? Claim? Warrant? Post a correct response and I will forgive your first tardy.

On Going to Arden Fair Mall...and other things I end up doing that I really don't want to.

Okay, to get things started, let's chat about things that you'd like to get better at getting out of. I hope that studying argumentation will empower you to speak your mind in a way that doesn't wreck all of your childhood friendships, yet gets your point across effectively. I, for one, hate going to Arden Fair Mall. My friend George, however, loves it because she is weird. Some how, she always gets me to go with her expert persuasive tactics and positive "spin." She makes claims such as: Oh, I heard Pottery Barn was having a sale, or, My Doctor's office is right near the mall...to get me to forget about my opinion and go stand in long lines and buy carbon copy clothing that I will eventually donate because I don't want to look like everyone else. She is a master...How might I use argumentation skills to escape her powerful shopping abilities? I need your help! What types of arguments can I try? Tell me how you have successfully handled a similar situation...