EA Chapter 4

Basically this chapter was about logos or arguments based on facts and reasons.  The chapter describes facts as hard evidence such as statistics, testimonies, clues, and witnesses.  Reason or common sense is described as artistic appeals.  The chapter shows the difference in these two by referencing the Cuban missile crisis and Colin Powell's accusation on Iraq "harboring weapons of mass destruction."  The earlier event showed logos based on facts while the later one showed logos based on reason.  The chapter goes further and gives examples of facts and evidence such as testimonies, narratives, statistics, and surveys.  The text also refers to Aristotle's claims that all arguments can be reduced to two components: a statement and a proof and gives an example of an argument in a scholarly blog on guns where the author makes a statement and then supports that statement. The chapter also shows that while facts and hard evidence may be used as stronger evidence and support, reason and common sense are just as viable.  For instance, the chapter talks about syllogisms and uses ethos by telling us Aristotle acknowledged this form of argument.  This section gave examples such as rain canceling picnics since most picnics are held outside. 

            An interesting section I found in this chapter section on “Using Reason and Common Sense.”  This section basically talked about syllogisms and describes it as “a vehicle of deductive reasoning.”  It is also sort of described as an informal sort of logic and is shown to sort of depend on cultural assumptions and values.  The section gave an example of how the principles in the Declaration of Independence highlight the views of many Americans and then shows an argument based on an accepted value.  This part was interesting to me because it would be hard to make an argument with syllogisms with a person whose views and values are entirely different from one’s own.  However, an example of an argument based on assumptions and values  (a rather vague and relative one) is that while some people in our culture may believe that the world would be a better place if there were less stupid people, people will argue different views on how to achieve this better world.  For instance, my old math teacher would argue to achieve a better world is to kill all the stupid people.  On the other hand, a person who also holds this same value may argue that educating is more effective in achieving a better world.

Readings from Jan.11-18

Chapter 14 of the Everything's an Argument text was basically about visual arguments. Visual arguments are used to convey messages from campaign to ads to pie charts.  They are used much in modern times on websites such as YouTube and even on shirts to maybe grab people’s attention.  They have also been used in history in forms of statues and coins to symbolize power.  Visual arguments are powerful in conveying an argument and there are many ways to depict a visual argument.  For instance, colors, character, logos, and charts can be used to create a visual argument.  These things can be used to appeal to a reader’s emotions or logic and can also be used to give image credibility. For instance, state seals can give an item credibility while a picture of a crying child can appeal to someone’s emotion.  One thing I found interesting in this chapter was the section about the power of visual arguments.  One example the section used on this was the televised debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.  This section was interesting because many people who watched the debate on television would say Kennedy won the debate based on appearances.  Kennedy looked more professional and “cool” while Nixon looked ill on the black and white screen.  Based on this, those who watched the debate on television would say Kennedy won the debate.  However, not mentioned in the chapter, are those who listened to the debate on the radio or read the arguments stated by both speakers.  Many who did not watch the televised debate but listened to the words of reason and logic instead, would say Nixon won the debate.  This just shows the power of visual argument.  Kennedy was shown to be a stronger presidential candidate through visual argument. 

Similar examples of the power of visual arguments can be seen in many places today.  One thing I have noticed is how many ads today use such argument that places more emphasis on something that looks “good” rather than presenting facts and reasons on paper.  For instance, in many car commercials, a car is depicted driving through natural “beautiful” looking landscape.  In reality, however, most people do not drive cars through beautiful looking landscape but through crowded cities or highways instead.  There aren’t many ads of a car being driven through a regular crummy highway or parking lot because it is visually less attractive when in reality it is more viable.  


WP1 Topic Ideas: 
-An ad that shows the "American Dream"
-Where the majority of US citizens get news on politics from
-Religion and cultures in the US
-Social Awkwardness
-Laziness/un-productiveness
-Education
-Inference
-Reason and morality. What is not innate.
-I like trees
-Candy

Introductory

Hi, my name is Jimmy Seto and I am a freshman majoring in electrical engineering.  There isn't much to know about me except that I don't talk much.  However, I am not shy.  I spend most of my time sleeping, listening to music, and doing homework. I like all kinds of music such as rap, pop, classical, etc. Currently, I am listening to classical /classical crossover music.  Also, when I say classical, I mean more of the modern classical music with artists such as Yiruma, Howard Shore, and Ennio Morricone. I don’t have one favorite artist of all time, but my favorite artist as of now is Hayley Westenra.  Besides music, the computer game League of Legends has consumed much of my time.  I think if I estimate all the time I spent on that game, the result would probably be a few months, maybe half a year.  I haven’t been able to quit the game since it’s rather addicting but I have been able to get my account suspended twice so I couldn’t play as much.  As of now, my account can get suspended one more time before I get a permanent ban (which wouldn’t be bad because I need to stop wasting my time on that game). 

Other Stuff about me… I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as The Hobbit.  I am a fan of awkward moments as long as I’m not part of them.  Trees are nice.  I had horrible acne but now I just have horrible acne scars.  And this is 261 words.