Friday, April 30, 2010

World Hunger

Since the advent of the Neolithic Revolution, human beings have been forced to compete for a finite amount of resources in an everchanging global atmosphere. In recent decades, the rise of the United States to global supremacy have caused many Americans to feel obligated to support humanitarian causes. How does this video play on this emotion through its imagery and sound devices? What other rhetorical strategies are used in this video?

In case the link doesn't show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQj0QNFAwv0

Global Warming

The recent approval of federal spending to aid in the development of alternative energy by the Obama administration has resulted in criticism from the right wing. What rhetorical strategies are employed to rebuttal such pundits in this political cartoon?

In case the link to this cartoon does not appear: http://humanityy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/global-warming-political-cartoon-0604.jpg

An Eloquently Phrased Argument...

Analyze the preamble to the Declaration of Independence to find what appeals Jefferson used in forming his argument. Did he use one, two, or a combination of all three? How does his diction affect the reader? What argument is he making? How does he justify his position? Etc., etc., etc.,

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."

I'd vote for him.

Link to Comic: http://www.goats.com/comix/0308/goats030808.gif

Oh ho ho, so Voldemort has decided to join American Politics.

So, here's what ya gotta do: Explain what issue the comic is addressing and discuss the artist's choice of Lord Voldemort as the candidate (eg: Does this signify that he or she is targeting a specific audience, etc).
Also keep in mind: How does this express the constituent's frustrations with their representatives in Washington?

No one make any comments about how he can't run because he's not a naturally born citizen or that he probably hasn't lived in the US for the required 14 years. As you can see, I have already done that for you.
(Besides, knowing ol' Voldy, he's probably bewitched everyone into thinking he's fulfilled the requirements.)

Courage Wolf.


Which of the three appeals does this picture use? Is it effective? How does the composition of the piece, (colors, text placement, etc.) contribute to the picture's objective?

affirmative action

Affirmative Action, the set of public policies and initiatives designed to help eliminate past and present discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
What is the Cartoonist trying to say, and is there any validity to his point? Do you agree or disagree with the current system (or opinion) of affirmative action?

Terrorism Coming Back

What does this cartoon show about what our government/president has been doing and what will most likely happen in the future?

Monster in the Closet

What is the author alluding to? What could the "monsters" represent and how could this relate to "The Things They Carried?

Powerthirst

What is this video making fun of? What parts of it are exaggerated to further prove the filmmaker's point?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs

How to Report the News

What is this news report satirizing? How do they get their point across? Do you think that this is a valid point they are trying to make?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHun58mz3vI

Capital Punishment

What point is the Cartoonist trying to make about our current judicial system? Do you agree or disagree with his opinion?

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Controversial Offshore Wind Farms

The decision on building an offshore wind farm in Cape Cod has been aproved by the secretary of the interior, however few things have been changed. They are reducing the number of windmills in order to please the families that live there, including the Kennedy Family. Do you think it's fair for the government to moderate this landmark project just to please a couple of families who live around it? Should the government focus more on the benefits for the environment or on the small implications on Cape Cod from this project?

Darth Vader Injured By Dick Cheney Accusation

http://www.truthdig.com/images/eartothegrounduploads/lk_cheney_vader_500.jpg

(I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EMBED IT! ARGH! Just click the link.)

What do you think the artist means by this? Does he think Dick Cheney is eviler than Darth Vader? What incident(s) could he be referring to?

Color Me an Immigrant

What does this cartoon suggest about racial stereotypes and prejudice in the United States?

The Academy Award Winning Move Trailer

What is satirized in this video? What does this movie trailer suggest about today's entertainment industry?

Obamacare


What is this political cartoon stating? What does this say about the state of average americans?

Why Take The Stairs?


Explain the irony of this photo. What does this suggest about the health of Americans? Are we becoming lazier or more efficient?

Monday, April 26, 2010

The 1920's (click to see photo)

What does this picture suggest about the 1920's as an era? How does it suggest them? To what extent do you think this picture proves a "truth" of history and how does it influence you to think that?

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Bang Bang your Dead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrxsjCXH1Rs

What strategies does the film maker use while portraying this short from the movie. What point is he/she trying to get across? And to what audiences is this directed to?

For background as to what is happening movie look up in a youtube search "Bang Bang your Dead part 1" follow the links labled "Bang Bang your Dead part 2,3,4,5...." so on and so forth. Great movie to sit down and watch.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

THE BIONIC AGE

From a prosthetic arm to leg,

Do you think with such technological advances in science and medicine to be possible to create such a feat as to combine man and machine. Do you think such a thing should be perused to enable our future generation the possibility to walk after a bone crushing accident or to be given the possibility to see with your own eyes. Or should they be left out as nature intended?

Monday, April 19, 2010

Dettol hand sanitizer advertisement


It is inevitable that the the world we live in is filled with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other deadly germs. How does this advertisement demonstrate the transfer of germs within our daily lives? Do you think that this is trying to argue that hand sanitizer is a supplement to soap, or an alternative means of washing hands? Discuss the rhetoric devices within the advertisement, and discuss the accuracy and validity in how it is conveying germs.

Adidas advertisement



What message is the author trying to convey to the reader? In what ways is the author justified or unjustified in comparing those who wear their line of products to an aquatic animal? Explain the different rhetoric devices within this advertisement and how they construct the overall appeal to the reader.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Television Addiction


What is this picture satirizing? How does this present a truth of how America is being fascinated by media? What are the moral and social implications of such an addiction?

War Justifiable?


During wartime we commit many atrocities and justify them. Before the wars start and the people know who to hate, there is propaganda designed to turn the populous against the newest enemy. Yet we still see ourselves as right. what would you do if you were on the receiving end of the gun? asking for help but instead receiving basically that? everything American being used to crush you and your way of life?