Visual Argument: ENG 101/JCC-SW 3/12 ASSIGNMENT

For our sample commercial, I chose this 1960s Winston Cigarette ad. The reason I chose this ad was that it obvioulsy wouldn't be shown today (cartoon characters are proven to get kids smoking, re: Joe Camel) and that it's longer than today's commercials, which was part of the charm of 60s advertising - less shows, more time for ads.

In terms of the commercial's visual rhetoric, it plays on the stereotypes of women working while the men lay back and do nothing, which was a big issue of the 60s and typical of the Flintstone's, where Fred and Barney Rubble were prone to goofing off in a fun way that's carried on to today's Fred Flinstone, Homer Simpson. The commercial is black and white, but the cigarette smoke and the packs of cigarettes that pop up in the video are very detailed - there's even a cigarette billboard in the little town of Bedrock! Cigarettes are portrayed here as a relaxing treat, something to have once in a while, which is interesting now knowing how bad and addictive cigarettes are. The commercial is obviously using pathos, as the characters of the Flinstone's are well-known and likable; why would they endorse a bad product?

Power to the People?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc
Que?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=avKinJWcSsE
what you don't see

The Final Frontier

Greetings!

Alas, the semester ends. And, aside from posting a final comment about the class (you'll just lift it off of your LR file before the last class period), you have a final blog.

What are you blogging about? Blogging, of course. Hurrah!

Please answer the following questions for your blog:

1) The purpose of your blog was to provide feedback/reflection on class. What was your favorite thing we studied this semester? Your least favorite?

2) Following the course strands for ENG 103, we were to utilize technology. Did your blog reflect that? What about the War & Rhetoric blog project?

3) Reflect on how the War & Rhetoric blog project helped you see discussion as a part of mediation and rhetoric. Did the class discussion of the blog help you see how the songs were somewhat of a dialogue? How?

Thanks everyone!

Let the Cross-Classroom Blogging Begin!

Now we will be embarking on our cross-classroom blog project, where you will interact with four other ENG 103 classes on poems/lyrics that have to do with pro, anti, or simple social commentary on war. War is an issue that has been inescapable since the dawn of mankind, so there should be plenty of interesting things for you to talk about. The address for the new blog is http://rhetoricandwar.blogspot.com/, so bookmark it and get to blogging!

DUE DATES FOR RHETORIC AND WAR CROSS-CLASSROOM BLOG
(these posts are to be made to the Rhetoric and War blog, not your personal blogs)

Friday, March 30th @ 1:30 pm
Wednesday, April 4th @ 1:30 pm
Monday, April 9th @ 1:30pm

12 Angry Men

This week’s class will consist primarily of you watching a movie. But not just any movie: a movie with a purpose. We are watching 12 Angry Men, a 1957 film about a 12-man jury “that is sent to begin deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of an 18-year-old Latino accused in the stabbing death of his father, where a guilty verdict means an automatic death sentence. What you need to do, on your blog, due by Friday, is to write a response detailing how this film relates to our class’s themes of rhetoric and argument. As you may know from watching popular shows like Law and Order, our judicial system is a magnificent example of effective argument techniques, yet rarely do we get to see inside the minds of a deliberating jury in the media. Even the most scandalous cases in American history have preserved the privacy of their respective jurors. So what does the deliberation show us? How does Juror #8/Mr. Davis, use logic and reasoning? How is his argument effective? Is it ineffective in any way? How does he coerce his fellow jurors, and what types of rhetoric does he use (ethos, pathos, and logos may apply here)?

Pay attention to how the story unfolds and how the jury’s verdict changes and consider these aspects of the film in your blog, with at least a paragraph addressing the questions I’ve posed to you.

A full FAQ/Assignment/Help Sheet is posted under "Course Documents" on Blackboard.

Past Student Commerical Links

Greetings All-

Here are some links to commercials that my last semester's students made. I figured that you guys might like to see examples of length, film quality, ideas, etc. Please check 'em out!

Operation Recycle
If you don't recycle on Clemson's campus monsters attack you.

Blue Laws
Dignity becomes compromised when trying to buy underwear under SC's blue laws.

Ryan M. for Food Services Director
A campaign ad in favor of electing a student to run Schilliter, Harcombe, etc.

Fike Puts the Weight On
Clemson students suffer from Fike's long wait for weights.

Also, if you're looking for video editing equiptment, check the following links out:

Seven Free Video Editing Software Packages
This site has lists of free video editing and download links, including Windows Movie Maker, Apple iMovie HD, and Wax.

Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0
You can get a free 30-day trial download of this software, if you're comfy with computers.

Satire & Parody

Greetings & Salutations-

On this fabulous Friday, we took time out from our usual classroom activities and enjoyed some satire and parody in the form of Family Guy and Robot Chicken. So, what did you think? What were some of the specific things you enjoyed about what you saw, and what made you find these specific elements funny? What would you suggest for me to use to illustrate satire & parody (other than South Park - sorry, I couldn't find the specific episode I wanted to use and Blockbuster and I are at war). If you didn't find something funny, explain why, but, for everyone, tell me what you thought about today's class.

Thanks & have a great weekend!
Erin