Rhetorical Analysis (pgs 66-69, 70-73)

Jackson's Points: 
CONTEXT:
-Jordan appeals to the audience because she seems unbiased by showing her knowledge and loyalty to the Constitution.
-Jordan's audience was not only a committee, but her speech was public as well.
-The social and cultural happenings that were occurring at the time of this speech included Nixon's Watergate Scandal. This was the exigence for her speech and inspired her to voice her opinion and influence others to impeach him.

TEXTUAL:
-Jackson points out that Jordan presented "herself as fair, knowledgeable, and intellectually mature" on the second page of the analysis. This quickly sets a basis for Jordan to begin establishing her ethos.
-At the end of the analysis, Jackson explains that Jordan focuses on her audience in her conclusion. The arrangement of her writing allows her to present her argument in non-pushy way.
-Jackson writes that Jordan uses a paper shredder metaphor to add "emotional force."

Additional Points:
* As the first African American woman to be elected into the Texas State Senate, Barbara Jordan craftily  used what she had overcome in receiving that position to strengthen her argument.
CONTEXT: -This fact adds to her personal history and exigence for her speech. Also, since she had overcome so much socially in a time where racism was prevalent in our culture, she probably had expectations before delivering her speech that she would influence people.
TEXTUAL: -This fact about Jordan also adds to her ethos and pathos. By being the first African American woman elected, she had already gained the audience's attention and respect. To continue this ethos to trustworthiness, she has to present her argument intellectually (as Jackson pointed out), and entertainingly. In the opening of her speech, Jordan makes her speech and argument personal. In more cases than just this one, when someone begins applying issues to themselves, others begin to reflect as well. This powerful speech did just that by catalyzing an emotional response from the audience.

Assignment 1: Rhetorical Analysis (chosen piece)

"'Real Beauty'-Or Really Smart Marketing?" by Rebecca Traister

Introductory Post :)

    I have had many opportunities to expand my writing skills throughout high school and college. I am a junior at Penn State and taken a few different literature courses in the past few years. Due to an issue with my transfer credits, I have to take English 15 this summer. Though I am one of the elderly and decrepit students in the class, I think that this course will be good for me in a few ways. Not only will I get a good review, I’ll be able to stay sharp on my writing abilities while I practice writing informal paragraphs such as this one. I think that in every turn in one’s life, there will be something new to learn. Though I am irritated with the office that handles transfer credits, I have a good attitude about this summer. I believe that this class will be enlightening and help me to grow as a writer. I enjoy reading existentialist works and writing fictional short stories; however, I don’t think I will ever be completely satisfied with my literacy level. In my humble opinion, complete literacy is unattainable. There will always be ways to improve and I intend on putting forth the effort to grow in everyway that I can.