Op-Ed Reflection

At first, I was expecting the Op-Ed to be another one of those "write a long essay about some controversial issue that you don't care too much, and that will surely make you struggle coming up with more than a single page of material on" papers. At first, that is what I was preparing myself to do. Then my outlook on this paper changed when I looked at other people's Op-Eds, and I realized it was really supposed to be on something I have a strong opinion on. I realized this paper didn't have to be a fight with someone, didn't have to be a black-and-white argument, didn't even have to be an argument at all. I was merely supposed to bring to light an issue I've noticed and persuade people to change their outlook concerning said issue.

I feel like in my paper, I appealed a lot to Pathos: I used quotes, analogies, emotion, daily observations, and real-life situations. Along with that, I appealed to Ethos and tried to make myself both credible and connectable to my audience. I revealed to them that I am a female college student of BYU, and I confessed some of my faults to them in the effort that they would feel like they could relate to me in some way. Concerning Logos, I didn't really use statistics or anything factual like that; however, I do think my argument made a lot of sense, and I was told that it was a very new and fresh way to approach this issue.

What didn't work? Well I hope it all works, but maybe I was a little weak in my Logos. For someone intellectually and factually driven, this paper probably wouldn't appeal to them a whole lot; I guess that wasn't really my target audience though. Also, even though this is an Op-Ed, I think maybe I was a little too opinionated in my argument, and also maybe a bit too selective about my audience. I was clearly addressing a religious community when really this topic can be applicable to most everyone.

Style Academy

The introduction was, frankly, quite boring. My mind easily wandered off, and it wasn't until there were about 10 seconds left of the video that I realized I was watching something that I probably should have been paying some attention to.

Other than the introduction video though, I thought Style Academy made some pretty interesting points and helpful suggestions. I've, for a while now, thought of myself fairly good at sentence structure, with adding that "stuff", or interruptions, to lengthen and further detail it, but the idea of imitating someone else's style was never something I've considered before; to use the styles of accomplished writers as a guide to becoming more eloquent.  It's also interesting to see the many ways sentences can be combined to have different effects, highlighting the idea that I can put a greater emphasis on certain things simply by the way I link sentences together. These are both great concepts that can really help us to strengthen and really develop the ways in which we write, aiding us in our efforts to sound more intelligent, proficient, and persuasive.

Thesis Proposal

So I've decided I wanted to change what I write about. Because we’re writing this op-ed for the Daily Universe, why not make it relevant specifically to BYU students then. So instead, I want to focus on self-esteem…

Thesis Proposal: While having self-esteem is important for one’s personal confidence and is defined as a favorable impression of oneself, working intently on gaining an impressionable one can lead to more harm than good. Rather, there needs to be a greater focus on divine worth.

  1. Even as college students, many of us are still trying to figure out who we are and where we belong in the world. We desire a sense of importance in our lives and to be someone noteworthy. We desire self-esteem. However, self-esteem is feeling confident from a worldly perspective, gained primarily from comparing yourself to others. Focusing on your divine worth instead, though, is seeing yourself as the incredible individual that you are through the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Even for those BYU students who aren't LDS can come recognize that they have a divine worth uniquely exceptional, just by looking inward and recognizing the qualities and attributes that make you remarkable.

  2. The reason I bring up this topic is that there are so many people trying so hard to impress others rather than themselves: caking so much makeup on to look more attractive, acting loud and obnoxious to try to gain attention, being a show-off to impress others, feeling like being immodest is necessary to be desirable. These are some of the issues that come with working for a self-esteem. A lack of confidence in yourself comes from comparing your weaknesses to the strengths of others.

GASCAP Something or Other

Argumentation by Generalization:
According to a recent poll, the majority were disappointed with Obama's presidency. Thus, Obama has got a disappointing presidency.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rich-noyes/2014/09/08/mrc-study-tv-buries-bad-news-obamas-collapsing-polls


Argumentation by Analogy:
If my friends all bought the same type of car and were delighted with their purchase, then I'll be delighted with buying one as well.
http://www.philosophypages.com/lg/e13.htm


Argumentation by Sign:
There are some bear tracks in the snow. Therefore, a bear passed this way.
http://books.google.com/books?id=DTL8AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=argumentation+by+sign&source=bl&ots=apLmQ7yXqN&sig=M12bq7EPzZDkq5uJpeObtHGiEzM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=e4AWVJ3OHoarjAK674HYCg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=argumentation%20by%20sign&f=false


Argumentation by Cause:
The more exposure to violent media, the more aggressive we are. Therefore, it is violent media that is making us aggressive.
http://time.com/34075/how-violent-video-games-change-kids-attitudes-about-aggression/


Argumentation by Authority:
Elder Bednar promised that if you do family history work, you will be safeguarded throughout your life. Therefore, you should do family history work.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn?lang=eng


Argumentation by Principle:
Since we committed to abide by the honor code at BYU, wearing a miniskirt is against the dress code and is looked down upon.
-- Writing and Rhetoric Supplemental Guide: "A Miniskirt, Even With Leggings, Is Still A Miniskirt".

Introductions

Hello!

My name is Adelaide! I got my name because my dad went on his mission to Adelaide, Australia. Pretty neat! So, I'm just from Provo, Utah. I'm the fourth oldest of ten kids.

The title of this blog is a mixture of three things. First, the 150 references to this class (pretty obvious). Second, it's still only the first week of college and I'm already really stressed out. And the 3 days is reference to one of my greatest passions ever. Feel free to take a guess at what it's referencing to, and if you get it right... let's be friends.

A little about me... I'm a freshman. I'm thinking about going into either filming or animation. I enjoy creative writing, reading, and creating my own little films (all of which have so far been done for school projects). I'm a self-taught pianist. I used to play the flute and am now trying to learn the ocarina. My favorite movies ever are the Lord of the Rings trilogy followed very closely by the Hobbit trilogy.

There are so many things that make me happy: Making music, hanging out with my family, the smell of bananas and rain, the taste of french bread and peaches, catching fireflies. I love the church, watching movies, seeing the sunset, looking at the moon, and eating my pancakes with peanut butter. I enjoy creating things, making the ones I love laugh, knowing that I made the right decision, and having the assurance that God is with me.

From this class, I hope to - along with getting a general fulfilled - become a better writer. I enjoy writing, and I truly hope this class will open my eyes to new possibilities and techniques. I look forward to great semester with you all!