So You Want To Be An APELC Student.... (TOW #30)

Hello APELC student. You may have heard from people who previously took this class that it is a challenge. This is not a lie to scare you out of taking the course, I can tell you that it is indeed difficult. However, the AP English Language and Composition course is a great one. Just because this class is difficult doesn’t mean that you should be discouraged. If you work hard at it and try your best, you will be fine. One of the great things about this course is that you have the opportunity for continuous feedback from your teacher, your peers, and even yourself. As the year goes on, you gain more skills as a writer, and you also build on skills that you already have. One of the best things about this class was the practice that we get for the essays. We often did timed essays as practice, which eliminated the pressure for a grade. This allowed us to focus on improving our essays instead of worrying about doing well. Continuous practice is great, and as we focused on each type of essay, everyone saw improvement. The improvement carried over on my graded essays as well which was great. Don’t be discouraged if you get a lower grade than you are used to at the beginning of the year on your essays. With practice and time you will get better, and you will be all the better for the AP exam at the end of the year. The same goes for your grades at the beginning of the year. It may be hard at first, but it does get easier. If you try really hard, you should be able to get a good grade that reflects your overall effort in the AP English Language course. Good luck, and have fun!

TOW #29 A Documentary Argument Why We Fight.

 In this documentary, many stories are weaved together to form a single central point. The main point of the documentary was twofold. The documentary shows us that the military industrial complex is upon us in society and that it is a negative and harmful force for the people. I agree with both of these statements, and that the documentary effectively proved it's point through visual evidence and explanation.
   
    The military industrial complex is prevalent in the modern world, especially in the United States. This is proved by various things in society. Currently we are involved in war in Afghanistan, and despite the war in Iraq ending in 2011, there is still tension there. These wars have no clear reasoning. Often if you ask several people about why we are in (or got into) the war, they will give you several different answers. The military industrial complex is this idea. It is believed that one of the major factors in the war was money. I believe this to be true. In society we are faced with lots of economic competition, both worldwide and at home. It  is easy to get caught up in the competition, especially for big businesses. They feel a need to turn a profit, and war is the way to do so. The prevalence of the military industrial complex was shown many times throughout the documentary, most notably (for me at least) during the weapon convention. I had seen some things like this on television (Chuck’s Weapcon!) but I never thought about these conventions occurring in the real world. The convention showed the vast competition and provided a bit of reasoning behind the complex.

    The military industrial complex provides a huge problem. This problem is not for the big corporations and businesses, but for the people, the average joe. They are forced into a war that they don’t even know the cause of, and despite there not being  a draft, there is definite pressure to join in and help the cause. War raises taxes and prices on many things, and the regular people suffer. Meanwhile, the fat cats at the corporations rake in profits at a high risk cost.

    The military industrial complex is an unacceptable way to handle our foreign policy endeavors. Yet, it is becoming increasingly common. As Dwight D. Eisenhower once warned us, the military industrial complex has the power to destroy us. Let’s hope that by taking it under control now, we can secure the future.

TOW #28 A Documentary Analysis: Why We Fight by Eugene Jarecki

This documentary was created in 2005 by Eugene Jarecki. Jarecki is an documentary creator who has won many awards, including an Emmy. Jarecki attended Princeton University and eventually moved to films after producing a few plays. Why We Fight is a documentary that covers the military industrial complex, a topic which Dwight D. Eisenhower stressed in his farewell address to the nation forty four years before the film premiered. The documentary follows many different stories, many of which come together in the end, that each represent varying levels of the complex, and argue for both sides. Testimonies include John McCain, Richard Perle, William Kristol and several civilians who have been greatly affected by war. The film was created to warn and educate all American citizens on the dangers of the military industrial complex.

In this documentary, the filmmaker wanted to show many aspects of the military today and in the recent past. The main focus was to show how society is turning towards the complex more and more (and why it is harmful). The point was made in many different stories of civilians which came together to show deception and corruption for profit gaining purposes. The different civilian testimonies (including a man whose son died in 9/11, a bomb maker, and the men who dropped the first bombs of war) show how the military industrial complex affect different people. The versatility in effect that the complex has is huge, and its negative influence can spread if it is note gotten under control. In addition to civilians, there were testimonies from many political figures that supported the idea of a military industrial complex harming society. The testimony from political figures qualified everything that was said, making it seem more reliable and less biased. All of these stories and testimonies came together to support the idea that the military industrial complex is not good for America and yet is readily apparent.

Another important strategy in proving this point was the cinematography and style of the film. Throughout, there was an ominous tone to the documentary, as if something bad was going to happen (or in this case is already happening). This was often reflected in the lighting, which remained dark during most of the film. Many of the shot were filmed at night, especially in the case of the men who dropped the first bomb. This added to the tone by making it seem serious and potentially dangerous. In addition to the lighting, the documentary also featured less recent footage that reflected upon events in the past. One such clip was of Dwight D. Eisenhower warning the American people of the industrial military complex, saying that eventually if war will benefit major companies, it may be fought solely for the purpose of making profit. This showed the long time issue of the complex, that it has been a danger for a long time and it will stay so for even longer. To show the complex’s influence in modern society, footage of the first bombs dropped in Iraq were shown and the devastation that they caused was highlighted, striking emotions of fear and sorrow in viewers. 

Throughout this documentary, two things were clear. The military industrial complex is apparent in society, and that this is incredibly harmful to both the well being of our people and our nation itself. Through the use of testimonial and strategical styling, Eugene Jarecki created a documentary that reflects the dangers of living in an a military-industrial world.

TOW #27 A REFLECTION

In my earlier TOW assignments, I struggled with the initial concept of what a TOW really was. I took parts of the summer assignment rubric and used that as guidelines for what my TOWs needed. I often explained the context of the article (text etc.) and what it was about, but I didn’t get into analysis. As my TOWs went on, they got more analytical, and I tried to explain my analysis instead of just presenting it. I could still work on this, as I find it hard to explain my analysis and the why and how of why it was happening in the piece. 

I think I mastered the ability to pick apart a text and get the main purpose very well. Then I also can get examples and rhetorical devices that contribute to the overall purpose of the text. Finding the purpose and argument helped me immensely in writing my TOWs. When I found the purpose, the rest was pretty much in front of me. All that I had to do was explain the analysis. Being able to focus on this skill made my ability to write TOWs, and in fact my TOWs overall, greater than I could have done before. With these TOWs my analytical writing improved, and I am better off because of it. I think with the help of these TOWs I strengthened my skills for argument essays, as I have shown in both grade improvement on essays and overall quality in TOWs. However, i do think that the TOW system could be reworked to provide an opportunity for students to practice ALL types of essays. That would be even better. I gained lots of skills, but most importantly practice which, in terms of writing, is the best thing that one can have. 

TOW #26 A Political Cartoon and A Positive Change

Writing Goals: Clearly analyze rhetorical devices used in the visual text.
Reading Goals: Pick a visual text that  is complex and interesting!

It’s a sad fact about the world, one that can probably be explained by “Murphy’s law,” but quite often, when bad things can go wrong, they do. This is especially true of things that happen because of (or just generally involving) the government. It’s not anybody's fault, but when good things happen, it comes as quite a shock. Political cartoonist Dave Granlund represents this in his political cartoon on recent job growth in America. He uses allusion and bright colors to represent the shock and emotions that the country has faced in this time of unexpected success.

Illustrator Granlund used bright colors and an allusion to express his point in an interesting, yet also effective way. The allusion to Jack and The Giant Beanstalk represents the giant growth of the job market in America as the beanstalk represents the quick, seemingly random growth of the industry. The job market has expanded, and nobody is clear on why. In fact, it came as quite a surprise to most people, including the government and the general public. These people are represented by Uncle Sam, depicted in a confused manner saying, “And Without Magic Beans!” to make the allusion clear, but also to represent the fact that this job growth is seemingly unexplainable.

The bright colors in the image reflect the joyous occasion that is job growth in America and tell the audience to be excited about this opportunity. Instead of focusing on the confusion and lack of reasoning behind this job growth, the audience is subconsciously pushed towards the happy event of job growth. Bright colors represent happy things, and in using them, the illustrator makes his true point clear.

Using allusions and bright colors, the illustrator, Dave Granlund, shows the incredible recent job growth in America. He also shows the surprise with which it came, and focuses his audiences attention on the real matter, job growth. Ultimately, these rhetorical devices allow him to effectively make a comment on the state of our government while also celebrating new job growth.

http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/0e062ff7-1cd3-42be-bca1-1af2995149e4.html

TOW #25 Here's Why Facebook Is Making You Download Its Messenger App by Kia Makarechi

Reading Goal: Read an intelligent piece that is relevant to my daily life.
Writing Goals: Create a clear thesis statement and effectively analyze evidence.

We’ve all been there. You log onto Facebook, go to your messages, and a notification screen appears. “Download messenger. This person, this person, and this many of your friends are already using it.” The constant pressure from Facebook to download messenger can be annoying. Through it’s use of statistical data and quotes from important figures in the Facebook world, this article serves to explain the reasoning behind Facebook’s big move and to predict where they may go in the future.
Facebook is, at its core, a business and therefore it must make money; this article uses statistics to show the economic motive that Facebook has behind all of their moves. “Currently, Facebook (including Instagram) accounts for 17 percent of time spent on all connected iOS and Android devices...” (par. 5)  so it already has a huge presence in the mobile world. As a mobile super power, Facebook has the capability to dominate its market and maximize profits. Adding more apps and gadgets to its mobile presence only adds more outlets of profit for the company, whose profits exceed billions of dollars per quarter year. These statistics simply prove that Facebook has an incredible presence in the technology world, only to be strengthened by the addition of newer apps. Facebook, in making these decisions, must think of what the company is, and how they can proceed. This article uses quotes from important individuals within Facebook to represent the company and explain why mobile apps are the right direction (or at least, the direction that Facebook is going in, no matter what). The article quotes Zuckerberg in paragraph 5, stating, “There is no argument. Facebook is a mobile company.” Since this is true, it makes logical sense that they would continue on a path of mobile development. These statements justify the actions of the company, both present and future. Using quotes allows insight into the mind of Facebook, giving readers (and Facebook users) a reason for these pushy developments. Running a major company comes with massive perks for sure, but also massive responsibility. Facebook must keep its reputation as a leading mobile entertainer while creating new ideas for profit and status. This article, using both statistics and quotes from Facebook leaders, provides rationale and analysis to users. This way, the next time that they are pressured to use a new Facebook app, they understand WHY.

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2014/04/why-facebook-is-making-you-download-its-messenger-app.print

TOW #24 From Private Ordeal to National Fight: The Case Of Terri Schiavo By: Clyde Haberman

The moral battle over the issue of continued life support for a loved one is a difficult struggle for all those involved. It puts a strain on everyone and the relationships that they have. This was readily apparent in the case of Terri Schiavo. This article used rhetorical questions and factual evidence to express the horrible situation that Schiavo’s loved ones were in, and how her legacy affected the world.

Through the use of rhetorical questions, the author expresses the emotional roller coaster that Schiavo’s family faced. This topic easily strikes a cord in anyone who has been in a similar situation, but it may be harder to reach those who haven’t. Rhetorical questions such as, “What, if anything, is the enduring legacy of this painful episode?” and “What qualifies as death with dignity?”(Haberman) allow readers to put deeper thought into the topic. Especially in the last question, readers are pushed toward thinking of their own definition of “death by dignity” and how it may conflict with other peoples. They act as thought catalysts for readers. After they won’t be outside bystanders, the readers will be invested in the subject. The rhetorical questions allow the readers to understand the complexity of the situation and understand better the tragic story of Terri Schiavo.

In any legal analysis piece, there are data and facts that support the technical side. The technical information adds to the legal and emotional side of the article, and it therefore encompasses an entire argument. The author states, “Larger questions remain, affecting an estimated 25,000 Americans deemed by doctors to be in a vegetative state” which shows that many people are in a similar situation, just less in the public eye. The author makes his points more reasonable by allowing readers to infer that this is not the only case, and that this wasn’t his main point.

Terri Schiavo’s family and husband were faced with a difficult decision. It took strength and courage from all to face the media backlash that they all were privy to. This article serves to commemorate Terri and too give a nod to her loved ones for staying strong in this difficult time. 

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/04/21/us/from-private-ordeal-to-national-fight-the-case-of-terri-schiavo.html?smid=fb-nytimes&WT.z_sma=OP_FPO_20140421&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1388552400000&bicmet=1420088400000&_&_r=1&referrer=