"Checkers"- Part of my Rhetorical Analysis Draft

“I am not a crook.” These words made Richard M. Nixon famous (or infamous) in the Watergate Scandal of the 1970s. But Nixon was being accused of unethical business and political practices long before that. In 1952 he had been accused of using $18,000 for personal gain that was supposed to have been used for a campaign fund. In a speech aired on TV on September 23, 1952 Nixon appeals to his audience’s—republicans of voting age—sense of pathos by using the rhetorical tools of repetition and rhetorical questions. His speech is mostly effective in convincing the public that he is innocent of the charges with which he is laid, even though there are some logical fallacies that leave room for doubt.

The first rhetorical tool that Nixon uses is repetition. Throughout the entire speech Nixon frequently uses phrases that express the first person: “I say,” “I want,” “I’m going to tell you.” These phrases help him draw closer to the American people. It makes Nixon seem like he is a real human being with real feelings of compassion and caring for his audience.

These phrases also let the American people know that Nixon is not trying to persuade them of Eisenhower’s point of view, of the Republican party’s point of view, or of anyone’s point of view but Nixon’s. He is speaking, it would seem, one-on-one and person-to-person with each individual American citizen.

Another tool of repetition that Nixon uses throughout the entire speech is his use of the word, “incidentally.” He uses this word at least ten times and then shares a story or piece of information that may seem incidental to the audience, but is actually a very powerful rhetorical argument.

For example, when he is talking about how the Senators get paid, he says, “Incidentally, that allowance is not paid to the Senator. It is paid directly to the individuals that the Senator puts on his pay roll.” Using the word “incidentally” does a few things. One thing it does it to make the audience think that Nixon is giving them information that really doesn’t matter for his argument, but that he wants to share with them as a side note because he is having a friendly conversation with them and cares about what he thinks.

Secondly, it makes an argument for his case without making it seem like he’s making an argument for his case. By saying incidentally, he is telling the audience that this little piece of information really doesn’t matter one way or the other. The audience then doesn’t feel like Nixon is trying to persuade them to believe something but just sharing some extra information. Instead, what is happening is that the audience is receiving this extra piece of information into their brain and using it to formulate their opinion about Nixon. So, the people think that the information is non-persuasive, when it is actually the very information that they are using to formulate their opinion of Nixon There are a few other examples where Nixon uses repetition. For example in his 4^th paragraph, he uses the word “wrong” or “morally wrong” seven times to speak of the crime of embezzlement. The audience definitely think that this crime is wrong, but then Nixon says that he thinks it is wrong too, if he had anything to do with it. He then says that he had nothing to do with it. So not only does the audience now know that the crime is wrong, but they believe that Nixon had nothing to do with it, so he must be the opposite of wrong—right.

Oh, the life of a telemarketer

For the past five weeks I've been working as a telemarketer for a new country club up in Park City, UT. I actually work from a call center in Provo. My job is to call people and set up free tours so the resort can have an opportunity to make a sales pitch. Of course, people aren't just going to go up there out of the goodness of their hearts, so we offer them about $100 worth of gift certificates.

It's a complicated thing, telemarketing. I would have thought people would be jumping at the opportunity to get something for nothing, but most people are distrusting. The trick isn't to "sell" the free item to them. The trick is to sell the benefits of that item. It's the difference between saying, "We'll give you $100 worth of gift certificates," and "We'll give you and your wife a wonderful romantic night out on the town with $100 worth of gift certificates."

The sales are actually made when the customer realizes the benefits. In order to do this effectively I have to have an upbeat tone, remain positive, and pretend like I actually care whether or not this person comes up to the resort, even after talking to 150 people who turned me down.

Sometimes the customer ends up being the better salesperson, and instead of me conveying my positive attitude on them, and getting them excited about the event, they convey their negative attitude on me. Here are a few examples:

Ben: "Hello, could I speak to Don please?"
Unknown grumpy female: "No. Take me off your calling list?"
B: "What list?"
UGF: "Who is this?"
B: "This is Ben. Can I speak to Don?"
UGF: "He wouldn't be interested."
B: "Interested in what? I just want to speak to Don?"
UGF: "How do you know him?"
B: "Does it matter? Can I speak to him or not?"
UGF: "He's not available right now."
B: "Fine"
::click::

Just to clarify, that's me that does the first ::click::. It's really not my fault. Sometimes the customers sell me on their negative attitude better than I sell them on my positive. These are all real-life examples, by the way. Here's another one:

...in the middle of the conversation...
Grunting Man: "I'm not interested."
Ben: "What about this doesn't interest you?"
GM: "I'm just not interested."
Ben: "What in particular doesn't interest you?"
GM: "I'm just not interested."
Ben: "There has to be something that doesn't interest you."
GM: "No."
Ben: "Come on. I can work with you to get around it."
GM: "Look, I just don't have the time."
Ben: "Ok, let's set you up for a few weeks out so you can schedule it in."
GM: "I won't have time then."
Ben: "When will you have time?"
GM: "Probably not until next spring."
Ben: "Are you telling me you don't have an hour and a half sometime in the next five months that you could come up here?"
GM: "Uh, huh."
Ben: "Alright, talk to you later."
::click::
Ben: "Jerk."

Aggravating, isn't it? It's really enough to make a grown man want to commit some serious crimes. Maybe that's why I'm not cut out for it. Maybe that's why I'm quitting in six days.

Just & Holy Principles Essay -- My American Heritage Final Essay

Welcome to a country that promotes the liberty of its people; a country where forty-thousand of its citizens are being expelled from their homes at gunpoint. Welcome to a country that protects the life of its citizens; a country whose government is raising an army to exterminate a group of people. Welcome to a country whose government is formed to serve the people; a country whose leader says, “Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you” (5).

Welcome to the United States of America.

After facing persecution, exile, and death, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons), found a new home in what would later become the state of Utah. Even in this new home, the persecution continued. United States President James Buchanan dispatched an army to control the “Mormon problem.” In response to years of unfair treatment, the Mormons would be warranted if they harbored feelings of rage, retaliation, and revenge.

The feelings they actually harbored are exactly the opposite. “In the midst of this abuse heaped upon us,” commented John Taylor, “we showed our adherence to the institutions and Constitution of our country…We will stand by that Constitution and uphold the flag of our country when everybody else forsakes it” (28-29).

Throughout time and trial, LDS leaders have consistently approached the Constitution as a heaven-inspired document that provides men with the opportunity to achieve eternal life. LDS authorities affirm two key reasons for upholding the Constitution even in times of immense difficulty: 1) the Constitution is inspired by God to allow for religious freedom and free agency, and 2) free agency used correctly provides the avenue to eternal life.

“All good principles and laws have emanated from the Almighty,” remarked Orson Pratt. “The Constitution came from Him; it was given…by inspiration” (21). The work of revolution, the founding of America, and the writing of the Constitution all have their beginnings behind the veil (10), and they all exist as means of providing a land of religious tolerance where people can freely live the principles of Christ’s true gospel (xix).

The Mormons were persecuted for obeying such a gospel, but they upheld the Constitution because they believed the revelation that the Lord had given to them: “[the Constitution is established] that every man may act…according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment” (D&C 101:78-80). The Mormons acted in accordance with God’s inspired document. The United States did not.

“Why did we leave [the United States]?” asked John Taylor, reflecting back on hard times of abuse and trial. “Was it because its Constitution was not one of the best that was ever framed? No…It was because there was not sufficient virtue found in the Executive to sustain their own laws” (27). Mistreatment by the United States did not hamper the Mormons’ “love of liberty, the love of true republicanism” (39).

The Constitution was established, “for the purpose of making men free and securing unto them their inalienable rights, which they…must exercise in order to obtain eternal life,” says Rulon S. Wells (75). The Constitution is a document that provides for the use of free agency in progression towards eternal life. It is no wonder that the Mormon people upheld the Constitution when all Hell seemed to be raging against them—indeed, it was.

What do the actions of the early Mormon people say about the civic duty of every United States citizen? The Constitution has a marvelous system of checks and balances, “but if uninspired individuals lack their own checks and balances, the inspired Constitution cannot correct that imbalance” (179). The goal of every citizen then, is to be virtuous and to uphold the Constitution at all times. What is needed are “wise expressions of patriotism that will improve the quality of life in our decaying cities” (176).

Hated. Driven. Persecuted. The Mormon people love the United States of America and the freedom it guarantees. The Constitution is inspired by Heaven to provide such freedom and to allow men the opportunity to gain eternal life. Since its inception, the Church’s approach to the Constitution has been and will continue to be, “defence, not defiance” (55). After all the abuse, the trials, and the shortcomings of an earthly government, the current Church President voices the opinion of every Latter-day Saint— “the world is so much better…for the presence of the United States of America” (199).

My Communications Assignment

In New York City in 1826 about 1/15 part of the population was African American, but only fifteen of them were qualified to vote. African Americans were definitely a minority, and they were vilified in the pages of the white newspaper. The first black newspaper, “Freedom’s Journal,” was established so that the black population could have a voice in society. While the paper only lasted for two weeks, it paved the way for the immediate emergence of more than twenty other black newspapers.

“The North Star” was perhaps the most influential of these papers. African American Frederick Douglas was the paper’s editor. Douglas realized that the press was vital to social change for the black people. Politicians like the US President, Senators, and Representatives read his paper.

Douglas’ paper emphasized the need for the African Americans’ voice in society. After slavery was “ended” by the Civil War, “The North Star” pulled the black people together into one community by elevating their morale, and giving them a sense of social consciousness.

“The North Star” led to the emergence of over 500 black papers after the Civil War. These papers appeared across the country, and when the Federal Government withdrew protection for blacks in the south in 1876 and the post-construction period began, papers like Douglas’ gave the African American population a common ground to fight from.

The later part of the 1800s marked the reconstruction period in the south. During this time the black press united citizens by speaking out against white oppression, namely lynchings. Ida B. Wells began the “Memphis Free Speech,” a paper that blatantly spoke out against white oppression. Even though her press was destroyed while she was on a trip to the North, and she didn’t return to the South for thirty years, her paper and her journalistic style set the stage for activist black journalism for the future.

Robert S. Abbot was one person who was a product of Wells’ persistence and activism. In 1893, at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Abbot heard Frederick Douglas (a colleague of Ida B. Wells) speak out for the black people. Abbot, a journalism student, redirected his life in an effort to make America into a country that would be what it really was supposed to be—one that protects the life and liberty of its citizens.

Between the years of 1900 and 1910 over 2600 newspapers were published in the United States, the highest number ever. In 1910 there were 275 black papers in print. Such a large number of papers in circulation was guaranteed to begin social reform for the African American people.

The Black press’s main role during this time was to provide the blacks a common avenue to speak out against social injustices and to become prosperous and recognized in society. The Black press brought about such social reforms as: helping blacks to become established in the community by aiding them in finding houses and jobs, speaking out against racism in the media, teaching social graces to African Americans, decreasing segregation, and granting civil rights.

Two major newspapers played a significant role during this time: The California Eagle, and the Chicago Defender. The California Eagle, begun by John J. Neymore, hired Charlotte Bass because of her undying dedication to rid the United States of racism and bigotry. The California Eagle enticed blacks to come to Los Angeles by informing them about buying homes, getting jobs, and improving the quality of their lives. The Eagle also spoke out actively against unrealistic portrayals of the Blacks in the media.

In 1905 the Chicago Defender was started by Abbot. The defender was sold in both the North and the South and read by about 500,000 blacks each week. Abbot’s paper exposed the actions of racists and prompted the black population to move to the North, where they would find good jobs and good lives.

All of the black papers during this time gave the African American population a sense of hope and pride. The papers showed the full spectrum of life in black communities: sports, jobs, news, and shopping which united the African American people.

Freewriting for my American Heritage Essay

So I have to write this essay about the book Just & Holy principles for American Heritage on Thursday. I'm going to start off with a paragraph that describes the trials the early Mormons had to go through when they were driven from the US, but I'm not going to say that it was the Mormons or the US. Then I'm going to pose some questions like, What kind of gov't would do something like this? Shouldn't a gov't like this be overthrown? etc. etc. Next I'll reveal the fact that it was the US and the Mormons that were the subjects of the first example.

The point of my paper will be to show that the US constitution is an inspired but not perfect document, that the leaders of the gov't make for corruption, not the document itself and that as citizens we are expected to uphold the law of the land; since the constitution is inspired by God we need to support it as US citizens.

The early Mormon pioneers were a good example of this--they upheld the constitution even though it appeared to be working against them.

Next I'll show that the constituition was inspired by God to grant men their free agency, and that without free agency it is near-impossible for man to gain eternal life. Therefore, the US constitution is established as a means to eternal life. In order to progress towards eternal life and to help American to continue to be a place where we can exercise our free agency we need to be patriotic. As described by Elder Oaks,, personal righteousness will strengthen a nation more than the force of its arms. Personal righteousness is best expressed through civic virtue: military service, trial by jury; serving on juries, etc etc. The best word the describe a fulfillment of the duties of civic virtue is patiotism.

To be patriotic is to suppor the constituition, to support the constitution is to keep america free, to keep america free is to keep free agency alive, to keep free agency alive is to allow for progress towards eternal life.

So, that's my essay idea. We'll see if it's anything like that once I get done.

Part of my Rhetorical Analysis Paper

Gee, I love when essays get thrown on you the day before they're due. Since I spent a little while writing this essay for my English 115 class I didn't get a chance to blog about something exciting, so I'm just going to post this instead...not that I'm bitter or anything.

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Rhetorical analysis of the Newsweek article: “The Mormon Odyssey”

Although Newsweek author Elise Soukup is writing to a large audience in her most recent article “The Mormon Odyssey,” her article is not directed at every single reader of the magazine. Soukup addresses the topic of the Mormon Church with the premise that her readers are not Church members, do not know much about its history or doctrinal beliefs, and yet still have some interest or curiosity.

Soukup’s appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos play a strong and vital part in convincing her audience that although the Church “remains mysterious to many” and the “central tenets of Mormonism seem confusing” the Church is something that is a “source of continuing personal growth for all who accept its blessings.” Soukup is not trying to convince her audience about the correctness of the Mormon Church’s doctrines or history. She is merely trying to show that regardless of the Church’s history or what it believes, it is a world religion that can no longer be ignored.

Appealing to logos, Soukup begins by explaining why Joseph Smith, the Church’s founder, should naturally have wondered about and questioned his faith.

His grandfather prophesied that a family member would revolutionize the world of religion; his father had a series of prophetic dreams about his family’s salvation; his aunt became a local celebrity by claiming that she had been healed by Jesus himself. And so it was natural that Smith would wonder about his own faith (emphasis added).

Through logos, Soukup explains to the reader that the Mormon Church is a church which deserves respect because it provides for its people through “members [delivering] meals to new mothers, [helping] relocating families find housing, and [packing] and [unpacking] during moves. Logically, the Mormons seem like a caring and kindhearted people, even if their beliefs are disputable.

Soukup appeals to pathos to show the reader that the Mormon Church’s ideologies are not far from what mainstream Americans’ hold as important. “[Joseph] Smith’s times are much like our own” she begins one of her paragraphs. This simple statement immediately draws the reader in, helps them to sympathize with Smith and therefore remain open to the idea that the Mormon Church is a positive influence on society.

The words that Soukup chooses to use also help to appeal to pathos. In a paragraph where Soukup describes the persecution of the Mormons in Nauvoo, she uses words and phrases like “unwelcome”, “driven by mobs”, “extermination”, “fled”, “inflamed”, and “mob stormed the jail.” These words and phrases help the reader to feel empathy for the Mormon’s situation and therefore make them seem more like real human beings.

Lastly, Soukup appeals to ethos in three different ways. First, Soukup uses the fact that she is writing for a nationally-recognized magazine, Newsweek, to justify such statements as, “Smith is arguable the most influential native-born figure in American religious history.” This is a somewhat subjective statement that Soukup poses as a hard fact; the reader is likely to believe it off-hand because it is found in a reputable magazine.

Secondly, Soukup cites prominent political figures such as Massachusetts’ Republican governor, Mitt Romney, and Democratic leader in the Senate, Harry Reid. Although she does not include many quotes from these individuals, the fact that she mentions that these two prominent political figures are Mormons makes the reader think, “if Mormons can be in positions of authority, they must have something of importance to offer.”

Thirdly, Soukup cites prominent figures of the LDS Church itself. By citing members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Prophets, she is able to show that the information is coming from authoritative sources within the Church—people that are undoubtedly likely to know what they are talking about.

Overall, Soukup very effectively addresses her audience—adult, religious non-Mormons, that have heard of the Church before—and communicates her purpose—to show that the Mormon Church, even though it may still hold controversial views, has much to offer society—through strong diction and appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos.

My Autobiography - Installment One

A little premise before I begin. Last Sunday I went down to my Grandma's house in Nephi with my fiancee Rachel. After dinner my grandma pulled out the old photo albums and showed us some pictures of my dad when he was younger. During this presentation, my Grandma lamented that she hadn't kept better journals for her kids. On the ride home Rachel mentioned that it would be a fun idea to make a family history book of each of us that we could give to our kids-kind of like a journal, but written in a more comprehensible fashion, with more connected thoughts and experiences than a journal usually contains. I thought, "hey, that sounds like a fun idea." Thus begins installment number one.

Disclaimer: All of the events in this and future installments are based on my own memory of the experience, or my memory of my parents' accounts of the experience. Therefore, the only factual basis of these experiences may be in the fact that I am reporting them as near to the truth as I can remember them.

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I was born in the era of big hairdos, bad music, and TV shows like Saved by the Bell. That was the American era anyway. I wasn't introduced into that culture until about nine months after I was born. My dad had been in England on a number occasions doing some research work with Cambridge University. My mom was born and raised in England. It was the Church that brought them together. My dad was visiting one of the Cambridge wards on a particular Sunday and saw my mom down the hall.

"She looks pretty," he thought to himself. "I should go and talk to her."

He walked down the hall casually and edged his way into her field of vision.

"Um, excuse me. Do you know where the restroom is?"

The conversation between my mom and her friends came to a sudden halt at the appearance of an American stranger.

"Just down that hall," my mom pointed with a giggle.

"Um. Thanks," my dad said.

And that was that. "It was all uphill from there," my dad would later remark. And uphill it was. First came love. Then came marriage. Then came me, not in a baby carriage however. My dad and mom used to carry me around in one of those papoose things that you strap around your neck. But I'm sure you're wondering how I came into the picture.

Cambridge Maternity Hospital represented the finest in British medicine, if that's saying anything. Here the unscreened windows were open and the flies were free to come and go. If there was any air conditioning, it was broken or turned off. A little while after I was born the nurse came in to check on my mom.

"How's everything going?" she asked my mom.

"Just great," my dad answered.

"Ahhh, he's so cute," the nurse remarked, looking down at me as I slept on my mom's chest.

"And you can definitely tell that he's your son," she said looking over at my dad. "He looks just like you."

"I knew the nurse was sweet on me," my dad remarked later on. "She told me I was cute."