http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/opinion/keller-the-good-newt.html?ref=opinion
The issue of immigration can be a very controversial subject. Many people say America encourages immigration, but Bill Keller states that most people do not show support of immigration. Keller uses diction, imagery, and language to express the negativity in America’s immigration issues.
Keller uses word such as “Envy”, “stinginess”, and “ambivalence” to describe the attitude of American towards immigrants. This is very different from the idea of America that has “honors” courage of immigrants and “coexist” with them. The word choice describes tow opposite sides of the spectrum of tolerance (and interlace) towards immigration.
Killer’s diction also serves as imagery. A reader can picture a fourth grade class learning about the “peopling” of America. One can also imagine the intensity of competition between the candidates and the “painfully evasive interview” from mitt Romney. Once we learn about immigration, it impacts us in some way or another, whether we like it or not, and If we are well educated, we can work to fix the problems we have, as the president and the candidates try to do. The flaw is that no one solution works for everyone and this is discouraging to both non-immigrants and immigrants.
Keller uses juxtapositions to contrast the opposing attitudes and views on the issue of immigration. He first presents the America that is “e pluribus Unum” and “tolerance,” then introduces the same America that is “envy” and Tribalism.”
Nov 20
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Editorial-Board-Blog/2011/0401/Thirty-years-after-Reagan-was-shot-Jim-and-Sarah-Brady-courageously-keep-the-pressure-on-for-gun-control/(page)/2
It has been thirty years since the assassination attempt on (former) President Reagan, and it has not been forgotten. Jim and Sarah Brady have worked since then to pass gun restrictions in attempt to prevent similar events happening. Kiefer uses diction, detail, and syntax to show support for more gun regulation.
According to Kiefer, people “marvel” at Brady’s determination after his injury. Many people may not agree with gun regulations, but the fact that The Brady couple has “not given up yet” in thirty years certainly says something. “Tear stained optimism” is felt, because the issue is so important to the Bradys, and so many others, that they will work endlessly to convince others, that regulation are not meant to “trample” their rights.
Kiefer uses numbers to add detail to this piece. For instance, “87 percent approve of criminal background checks for all gun purchases, even those at gun shows – which are not currently covered by federal law, but which should be. This was the finding of a 2008 poll done for a bipartisan coalition of mayors who support more restrictions on guns. Another large majority, 82 percent, support limiting the sale of military-style assault weapons, according to a 2007 University of Chicago poll.” With this fact, it is easier to reason with the people who do not agree with the Brady Bill, and to explain how big of an issue it is.
Kiefer’s syntax addresses their position in a straightforward way. One statement seems inarguable “Every year, about 30,000 people in the United States are killed by gun violence. That's too many.” Whether or not a person believes in the benefits of gun regulations, one cannot debate the number of people killed by guns and the fact that too many people a killed by guns. Kiefer uses a natural flow of words that is appealing and easy to read and listen too, so the reader may focus on the argument made in support of gun regulations.
OCT 23
Music + Mathematics
http://www.harveyreid.com/writing/essays/math+music.html
Math is found everywhere you look in the world, from the most complex form of computer science, to the simplest counting of groceries, or paying of bills. You don't have to be an expert at music to realize the math involved, but this author uses , diction, imagery, and syntax to explain how prevalent and useful it can be.
Before reading this, many people may not have thought of math as “elegant” or to have a “strong intellectual, spiritual and creative foundation.” These descriptions may seem far from what a person would initially think about math in music, but the reader does use vocab that any musician can relate to, such as the “Pythagorean scale”, “Even-tempering,” and “intervals.” When a reader can relate to the ideas that seem so factual to a musician and mathematician, it is easier to relate to the feelings that this mathematician.
Imagining instruments be tuned and played, is not hard to do, because the author sets the reader up to do this, describing, “Arranging a melody on an instrument and finding fingerings that correspond to certain sequences of notes is definitely a type of math problem. Playing the same melody on different instruments is math, as is playing a stringed instrument and changing the tuning. And when you find the best key to play a certain melody on a guitar, for example, there is a sensation that is known to math insiders as elegance.” With this, the reader can picture whatever instrument they desire, playing whatever song they desire, and that lets the reader to feel more “connected” to this essay on a personal level.
Reid uses repetition to get his message across, that, “Math is about thinking. Math is about problem solving. Math is about working with what you do know to give you a framework [….] Mathematics is a mind-set and an attitude when you face something you do not understand. But there is also a beauty and a wonder about mathematics that only insiders know about.” This phrasing makes math seem to have simplicity and complexity at the same time. The varied syntax of this essay helps to grab the reader’s attention. Contrast, of long sentences, and short ones, of questions and answers make reading more natural and appealing to the ears and eyes, allowing for the reader to focus on the message.
OCT 9, 2011
Active Education
http://www.activelivingresearch.org/files/Active_Ed.pdf
Obesity today has become a prominent concerns in children's health. we have known this for quite some time, and it has been addressed by many people, who seem to offer their solutions, almost all of which, have something to do with physical activity. This researcher however, does more than discuss the obvious physical benefits of gym class. Using an ample amount of details, this writer argues not only the benefits, but the importance of PE in schools.
We know there have been major budget cuts in schools, but we may not realize how they affect our education until something drastic happens. In this case, many schools have decided that improving standardized test scores seems more important than keeping a PE class with the budget. Sadly, a mere "36 % of high school students meet the current recommended level of physical activity" which should be shocking. Another shocking data: only 3.8% of elementary schools and 7.9 % of middle schools provided daily PE in 2006 ( Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) !
We know how poor preform to the PE standard, now, but some people may ask : is this really relevant in our daily lives? and Can it really be that big a deal? the answer according to this article is :YES . According to details of studies, kids generally preform better academically when they receive daily PE. This research says we don't even have to have one straight hour of PE to make a little difference. The writer's diction is concerned about the statistic of today, but optimistic that we can improve. Suggesting smaller "activity breaks" makes the task seem less daunting, more doable, than breaking out a full hour/period in the day to ' fit in physical activity. Whether or not the task is simple, the writer stresses thier concerning tone for the importance of some action.
The syntax of this peice is matter-of-fact ( literally) and straight foward. Opinion or personal experiecne does not change anything here, because this had such a generic, common situation that everybody relates to, even if they don't know it. although the data, and studies, statistics, may make this situation seem more complex, it is a relatively simple and straightfoward subject. This helps the reader to be focused on one thing: Why schools should have PE.
SEP 11, 2011
Inside a Romanian Orphanage
http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/inside-a-romanian-orphanage-international-adoption-from-romania.html
The author of this article uses several techniques just within her opening sentence. The detail of "235 children ranging in age from birth to 3 years old" puts a sad image in the mind of any compasionate reader. Her use of the word "overwhelming" may even be an understatemnt, considering her conditions. The image of the infants that "wanted to climb over me, pull me down, and hug me at the same time" is so imaginable, and relatable. The author herself relates with the chilren as she her own , calling them, " My babies."
Besides playing with the children, she tries so hard to help them overcome obstacles that others would reject. She decribes thier progress using imagery. One can imagine cuddling with a boy who is not used to contact, or teaching a young girl to feed herself. Perhaps one of the reasons she was able to help these chilren was because of the language she used. No, not the language or Romainia, but the language of the children. When she asks " What do you do when you are given a toy? " or she suggests, " let's screw up our face and poke out our tongues, " the author is able to understand how they think, and therfore better able to help them.
Although the author appears to be a natural around children, her first experience was a rough one. Her diction shows a tense situation with many kids, " Overwhelming" her. her word choice does show hope though a dark time though, when she describes the chilren as " loveable" and one young boy "contented" in her arms. In the beggining of the her trip, she noticed the kids to " throw [ the toys] into to the wall" reapeatedly, but later, they "throwed themselves onto thier backs, and start to giggle." the word "throw" is turned from negative to positive context. The author's goal was to turn something negative into something positive, and she succeeded. Althogh she may not have been able to change the lives of all 235 orphans, she realizes she has made a difference. " You cannot change the lives of all the children but you can take on the challenge to help change things for one or two. If each person takes a small share, the load will be much lighter and more children will benefit."
