Question for research paper

What different kinds of writing and communication are used in an FCS classroom?

What is the most-used type of communication within the FCS program?

How can written communication be effective in an FCS classroom?

Rhetorical Analysis-final

Ashley Meyn  

English 250

Rhetorical Analysis

Preliminary Impacts of an Innovative FCS Curriculum was written by Professor Sherri Lokken, a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher employed by Mississippi State University, in order to educate fellow Family and Consumer Sciences teachers. This essay’s purpose is to give current and future teachers an adequate background as to why their field of study is so important and how their efforts can impact the community in a variety of different ways.

Rhetorically speaking, Sheri Lokken uses a straight forward, precise, and factual approach to tell the story of an evolving Family and Consumer Sciences program in the state of Mississippi. The vocabulary and word choice she decided to use in this research article assumes the fact that the audience is familiar with the field and has a general understanding of the terms used. She does not take deliberate action to explain what different concepts are. Instead, she creates a solid foundation to base her argument off of by using concrete terms in order to create an effective and understandable message. Lokken decides to convey her message in a case study style report. She begins the article by stating the issues that she has noticed from her observations during her research period. In her opening paragraph, the author uses verbs such as will and need in order to solidify her view on the matter. Using verbs such as these can have a very effective outcome and can resonate with the readers in more powerful manner than other more passive verbs.  In the middle of the essay, it explains what the state of Mississippi was struggling with in terms of teen issues. Lokken deliberately states each issue and outlines all of the matters that caused the problem and how each problem has in turn effected those involved. The article then explains the house bill that was passed and how the bills measures took effect and changed the way FCS classes are taught in the state of Mississippi. The outcome reflected the success of the new bill and proved that via correct training and hard work, change is possible. This validates the idea that it is aimed at Family and Consumer Sciences teachers because it explains why we need these classes and teachers in the U.S. curriculum. On page three, the essay thoroughly describes the course development and new policies regarding facilities, equipment, teacher training, and program evaluation. This is information that would not normally be included if it were not aimed at teachers.

The publisher of the piece is the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). This is an association that supports Family and Consumer Sciences professionals and that students are encouraged to get involved with. This piece, written by them may be used to explain the importance to future teachers and to give a history of the classes taught. Because it is written by this association, it certainly has biases working towards it. As it is published by AAFCS, since it is an association for teachers, we can safely assume that it is for teachers. It appeals to the audience the association normally caters to.

Another strategy that Lokken implements in the article is the use of concrete examples showing that she has written this piece for fellow teachers. She explains the causes and effects as evidence for her argument. “The number of pregnancies has dropped. They seem to be more aware of what is involved in parenting a child.” Then, “I use the infant simulator doll, and my school’s pregnancy rate has gone from 15% to 7% since we began using the doll.” This instance shows how Lokkens uses examples of the bill’s success to give credibility to herself and the new program’s methods.

Lokken overall does an effective job of appealing to her chosen audience. She uses context, organization, and word choice to appeal to the audience while also giving credibility to herself. She has made it clear what her motives are and the intentions she has for the piece using rhetorical strategies and approaches.

Bibliography

Lokken, Sheri L. "Preliminary Impacts of an Innovative FCS Curriculum." Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences 93.4 (2001): 58-62. Iowa State University. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://mars.lib.iastate.edu:1701/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?tabs=viewOnlineTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=TN_ericEJ634101&indx=1&recIds=TN_ericEJ634101&recIdxs=0&elementId=0&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&dscnt=0&fctN=facet_frbrgroupid&vl(192264181UI1)=all_items&frbrVersion=2&scp.scps=scope%3A%28ISU%29%2Cprimo_central_multiple_fe&fctV=6411965212512181597&tab=default_tab&dstmp=1391195690572&srt=rank&mode=Basic&tb=t&vl(freeText0)=Preliminary%20Impacts%20of%20an%20Innovative%20FCS%20Curriculum&vid=ISU0&frbg=6411965212512181597&vl(203425888UI0)=any&dum=true&vl(1UIStartWith0)=contains&gathStatIcon=true >.

"About Us - American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)." About Us - American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.aafcs.org/AboutUs/index.asp>.

Visual Rhetorical Analysis-Final

Ashley Meyn

A.R. Mallory

Visual Rhetorical Analysis

Thinking back to a few of our favorite childhood super hero movies and comics, the actors were always fit, healthy, and ready to save the world. These heroes are extremely popular for children and teens. From birthday party themes, to Halloween costumes, children idolize these characters. Looking at the photos, these are not the usual images of the superheroes we love. Just like these superheroes, being overweight will keep you from doing what you want and love to do.

In the movie Spiderman, most of the scenes take place in the inner city; skyscrapers, alleys, and subways. Here, Spiderman is bracing the rail of a subway (or bus) looking exasperated. His feet are turned in, right hand is on his knee, and head laying low. His usually fit physique is now overweight. His body is bulging from his suit.  In the movie, he lives a double life of going out to save people, then returning home to pretend that nothing had happened. You simply would not see Spiderman fatigued in his suit like this, in the movie. The colors used in the image are the traditional red and blue. The colors of the bus accurately represent what it would normally look like. Traditionally, images and advertisements associated with Spiderman show him swinging with agility from building to building or swooping down to save a helpless pedestrian. The image shown here symbolizes America’s shift from active lifestyles to one of convenience. For example, young people take the easy route like an elevator instead of the stairs. Instead of walking to school, children take the bus.

The Batman photo is dark and mystical, similar to what many scenes of the movie look like. There are large, concrete buildings, a rusty green water tower, and the only light is from the full moon blaring down on him. This is where traditionally, much of the action would happen. However, he is sitting on the ledge looking down with his head rested on his hand. The back half of his body even seems to not fit on the ledge he is sitting on. His belt is lying next to him which usually means that it was not comfortable or did not properly fit. This image of Batman shows that with the rise of obesity comes the fall in ability to perform certain tasks. Similar to how Batman can no longer scale a wall when overweight, children miss out on many activities they love to do when obese.

Superman has a more brightly colored background. He looks as if he is in a park. There is green grass and autumn red trees. There are birds flying in the blue sky above him. He looks as if he is walking in strides, hands in a fist, and on a mission. However the main focus of the image is his large, overweight butt. I believe the artist is trying to contradict him and his background, depicting that he wants to go out and save the world, but his overweight backside is not going to allow that. Obesity brings up the issue of not physically being able to fit in your normal clothes. Superman’s cape usually billows around his body but in this image, it barely reaches the span of his shoulders.

All of these images shown above show the downsides of obesity and can encourage the audience to avoid obesity. Seeing childhood favorites like this really makes people look at obesity in a new perspective. Obesity is at an all-time high and it affects everyone, including superheroes. Statistics show that nearly 18% of United States children and adolescents are overweight in 2010. This percent has nearly doubled since the 1980’s. I believe that the target audience for these visuals is for children. Children mimic those that they admire and look up to. These images look odd and undesirable, and children will not want to look like that. The label at the bottom right of each picture is “Powerhouse Healthclub”. One could infer that it is a health advocacy group promoting healthy eating and living among children.

The images in these photos symbolize the growing rate of obesity in America. It is becoming a real problem. Seeing the superheroes from our childhood painted in such a light is an enlightening perspective and a reality check. Symbolism of obesity problem is prevalent in all three photos.

Bibliography

"Childhood Obesity Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and       Prevention, 10 July 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm>.

"Only for Ads.” Power House Health Club. N.p., 2010. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. <http://onlyforads.blogspot.com/2012/01/power-house-health-club-advertising-for.html>.

V.R. rough

                                                                         

Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies are the classes in high school that are usually not required and sometimes are thought of as the blow off or chill classes. They are the life skill or common sense classes that are not necessarily necessary. Or so people think. This is sometimes thought of as a “housewife degree” or a “mom” degree. People often ask me, “wait, you gave to get a degree to teach that?” These thoughts are solidified through this example of rhetorical analysis. The textbook is titled Home Economics for Homeschoolers. But just by the cover, I can tell that this has a more specific audience. It is for young women. The girl in the picture is looking into the mirror and the image of herself is a mother with a baby in her arms. This certainly is a small portion of home economics but does not encompass the whole degree. From the colors the illustrator chose to use to the wallpaper on the walls, it has a very old fashioned approach to FCS and certainly has a certain opinion that women are supposed to be mothers first, more than men.

Visual analysis

This is a textbook cover for a home schooler's Family and Consumer
Sciences class. I believe that this photo on the cover is aimed towards young women. FCS classes are more popularly and traditionally though of as a girl's class. This cover certainly affirms that stereotype. The picture shows a girl looking into a mirror in which the reflected image is her as a mother with a baby. It also says it is the "Quiet Arts Series". Even the decor of the window and wall in the background dipicts that is well decorated and fememine. The publisher takes into no account that a guy may be wanting to take the class as well. They do a good job appealing to the fememine audience. http://www.aplusbookscanada.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=382

Thoughtpiece Rhetoric

Ashley Meyn

Thought Piece Rhetoric

2/4/2014

High school was a very busy time for me. Between cheer and work, there just wasn’t excess time for my schoolwork. So when it came time to leave something out, it wasn’t going to be the time working on tumbling at the gym, and certainly not making money.

It was a Thursday night and I was exhausted. Cheer had been rough, preparing for our Saturday competition. Sleeping would be just about the best thing I could do right now, right? Ill wake up a little early in the morning to study for my statistics test.

As I am not a morning person, I naturally overslept and missed the thirty minute window I had set aside to study for that day’s test. As expected I got to the test and was completely clueless. I would be lucky to get a fifty percent on this one.

My parents would absolutely notice if my stat grade suddenly took a turn for the worse.  “I’ve got to ease them into this one” I thought.

I got home from school and cheer that day with a plan. I could not come right out and say that I flunked my test. I could just imagine their response to that and it wouldn’t be good. Using rhetoric, here is how I went about the conversation:

Mom: how was school today?

Me: ugh, wanna know what I learned today? Apparently I go to the number three high school in Iowa. That’s the third hardest school in the state! Could you imagine how much easier school would be for me if I went to any other school? I would have a 4.0 for sure!

Mom: yeah, where I went to school certainly didn’t have the acedemics that your’s does!

Me: yeah you guys went to a class 1A school, you should come to my school for a day, you wouldn’t last.

Mom: you are probably right about that.

Me: AND to have cheer for like six hours per day there just isn’t too much time for studying! I had a Stat test today and it was soooo hard.

Mom: Well I never took high level math in high school so you are already better than I was! Just do your best and we will be proud of you.

 

:)  

And this is how I eased her into the fact that I did terrible on my test using rhetoric without coming right out and telling her I failed.

summary refection

Ashley Meyn

Summary Reflection

2/2/14

Upon hearing that our first graded English assignment was going to be a summary of another paper, I just about jumped for joy. As you know, I am not a strong writer. The fact that I just had to paraphrase what someone else had to say was the best news ever. I wouldn't have to come up with any of my own thoughts!

Step one: Find an article. Apparently it had to be a scholarly article. That adds a bit of a twist. For one, most scholarly articles are like nine pages long, and all seem to include words that are not in my vocabulary. This made things a little more difficult than I expected. But once I find an article I like, I will be good to go, right?

Wrong.

What I thought would be the easiest paper of all, was actually rather tricky. Condensing a long article into just the bare, necessary facts is difficult. What does the reader really need to know? Will leaving out this fact deter or misguide the reader? This took a lot more analyzing than I expected.

I do not consider myself to be a strongly opinionated or expressive person. So why is it when we had to “leave yourself out” of this paper, I became so dramatic? I am so used to writing opinion and persuasive essays, that I found myself wanting to help out the articles author, and put my own understandings into it. I still am not sure if I completely left myself out of my paper, but I did my best to stick to the authors words alone.