Charles Baker
Mr. Walters AP Lang. and Comp. 25 November 2014 Analysis Professor Stephen H. Webb's jeremiad, "How Soccer Is Ruining America" is made entirely for the satirical purpose of undermining those who rant about menial things having serious and devastating effects on America. Webb uses the example of soccer, which he "ridicules" with a hyperbolic tone, to make his point. Though starting out outrageously, by making coarse and offensive remarks about soccer, Webb, in an ironic and bewildering change of mood, affirms his overall message. First, his use of the logical fallacy, slippery slope, in the first paragraph evokes a sense of fear in the reader. This is evident when he says that soccer contrives to make every kid a winner, while leaving nobody behind, no matter how many times they lose; later stating, "American energy, drive, and competitiveness, are being undetermined to the point of no return." Thus, depicting the situation in which soccer leads America into turmoil in a chain of events, based on slippery assumptions, Webb finishes his introduction. However, Slippery slope, is often used by Webb throughout his jeremiad. Furthermore, Webb appeals, not only to emotion, but to authority as well in the fourth paragraph, by using the dual influences of God and science. He takes two dichotomous authorities and provides them with union in order to bolster his argument. His sentences read, "Anthropologists commonly define an according to his use of hands. We have the thumb, an opposable digit that God gave us to distinguish us from animals that walk on all fours." Then, he mentions several instances in which feet are displayed disrespectfully, such as when the Iraqi man threw a shoe at President Bush, when kids trick-or-treat and say to smell their feet, and when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples the form of the burden of proof fallacy. Subsequently, Webb voices how he feels about traditions in team sports by alluding to his past experiences in little league baseball in paragraph 5. He claims that sports should be about "-breaking kids down before you build them back up..." and paints a picture of the rough time he had in the demanding sport, even being intimidated by its jargon and having to face both the obstacles of the pitcher and public humiliation. Webb, depicts this experience in vivid imagery, that is arguably hyperbolic. However, he never justifies the experience he had in baseball had any impact on how much he grew as a batter, therefore, one can conclude that his use of imagery in his allusion was just to show the harshness of traditional team sportsmanship. Admittedly, one can argue that paragraphs 5 and 6 are used to show an appeal to tradition. While this is apparently true, one cannot forget Webb's true satirical purpose. Though both paragraphs depict an appeal to traditions, the appeal is false, since Webb's jeremiad is a satire. Next, In the 7th paragraph, Webb starts out with an appeal to fear and common practice by stating, "Everyone knows that soccer is a foreign invasion, but few people know exactly what is wrong with that. More than having to do with its origin,soccer is a European sport because it is all about death and despair. Americans would never invent where the better you get, the less you score. Even the way most games ends, in sudden death, suggests something of an old -fashioned duel." This satirizes those who fear immersion into foreign culture. He also purposely makes his point, by failing to when he says "How can anyone enjoy a game where so much energy results in so little advantage..." Finally, he then changes his opinion, with a concession. He states all the good soccer does when he reflects upon his parenting and shows how helpful it can be for keeping children happy and fit. He uses humor often in his conclusion while speaking about how he and his daughter feel about soccer, pointing out his overall jocular tone. Charles Baker Mr. Walters AP Lang. and Comp. 25 November 2014 Analysis of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" Link to Thomas Paine's "Common Sense": https://d1wsaxfu7b8rcr.cloudfront.net/547370da9cbcdecae50000b4/Common%20Sense%20-%20Thomas%20Paine%20Section%203.pdf
Charles Baker Mr. Walters AP Lang. and Comp. 13 October 2014 Rhetorical Analysis of "Cotton Mather's Diary" Link to "The Diary of Cotton Mather": http://johnnywalters.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/5/13358288/cotton_mathers_diary.pdf
Charles Baker
Mr. Walters AP Lang. and Comp. 13 October 2014 Connections between Plato's allegory of the cave and Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" There are two possible connections I can see between the stories of Edward's "Sinners in The Hands of an Angry God" and Plato's "Republic". One could be that like Plato, Edwards is trying to enlighten others about a mindset that is sheltered and unaware of a disparate reality. Arguably, the other possible connection could be that the mindset that Edwards has is a mindset that is similar to that of the cave dweller portrayed in Republic, since he believes there is only one way to do things. In both instances depicted by the stories, the reality that is portrayed is harsh and painful for those who see it, showing that reality can be something scary for those who do not know it. Furthermore, the exposure to reality portrayed in The Republic is a hypothetical instance, whereas in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" the exposure to reality is a warning to everyone about what will happen if they are not born again. In the same fashion, both texts indicate that there is a way to survive in the cruel reality they convey; that being in The Republic the person will eventually become adjusted to the light and in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God you can be born again to escape God's wrath. In the final analysis, both stories depict that there is a reality beyond what is known and that it is harsh, but there is a way to become adjusted and that it is not as bad as thought; both Edwards and Plato are trying to show that through ones actions the depicted reality may not remain as harsh as in the beginning. Link to Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God PDF: http://johnnywalters.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/5/13358288/sinners.pdf Link to Plato's Cave allegory: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.8.vii.html Charles Baker Mr. Walters AP Lang. and Comp. 3 October 2013 "Sinners In The Hands of an Angry God" and "We Will Rock You" mash-up of epic proportions! Link to "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God": http://johnnywalters.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/5/13358288/sinners.pdf
Link to "We Will Rock You" lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/queen/wewillrockyou.html Charles Baker Mr. Walters AP Lang. and Comp. 16 September 2014 Barack Obama's Speech on combating against ISIL Rhetorical Triangle Link to President Obama's speech:
http://johnnywalters.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/5/13358288/transcript_president_obamas_speech_on_combating_isis_and_terrori_1.pdf Link to Rhetorical triangle: http://johnnywalters.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/5/13358288/824503_orig.jpg Charles Baker
Mr. Walters AP Lang. and Comp. 2 September 2014 Kurt Vonnegut: How to Write With Style Toulmin Statement Claim: When writing, one must take Vonnegut's steps on writing with style into consideration. Data: Many profound and successful writers achieve their success from using Vonnegut's steps. Warrant: If one wishes to achieve success, he or she must seek out tips from experts, such as Vonnegut. SPES Prompt Response Paragraph There are many defendable and commendable techniques in Kurt Vonnegut's "How to write with style". Of these "Have the guts to cut" is one that is striking in importance, since being daring enough to create intricate sentences is a trait which adds complexity to one's paragraphs. Vonnegut speaks of writers such as James Joyce who have created detailed sentences even when doing something as simple as describing a glittering necklace, painting a vivid picture in the minds of readers. Without his ability of "making necklaces for Cleopatra" , in addition to using shorter sentences, the writing of Joyce would have been static in it's format. Conversely, while it is great for one to create detailed sentences, Vonnegut notes that a writer should only create an eloquent sentence if it brings light to their subject and the ideas in their head. Overall, the skill of creating intricate sentences is an important and necessary skill for writers to learn because it teaches writers how to manage their sentence length and shows the influence an intricate sentence can have on one's writing. Link to "How to Write with Style": http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/237892806?access_key=key-LcpksDZBXZBNVrtPE9G5&allow_share=false&escape=false& show_recommendations=false&view_mode=scroll |
Hey gUYS,Hopefully, I only receive constructive criticism from you all and also praise, lots of praise... but mostly useful criticism.
Thank You. |