PAB #1

PAB Entry #1

The article, “#MemeOfTheWeek: Bernie or Hilary. Sexist or Nah?”  authored by Sam Sanders seems to claim that the up rise of a meme that was created in another popular site known as, Tumblr, is being portrayed as sexist. The meme is being called, Bernie v. Hilary and was created by a man named Jeff Wysaski. At first, the post wasn’t meant to be such an uproar, but once the meme got to Twitter it grew immensely in popularity. The argument being made in this piece is claiming that the meme is being specifically sexist towards Hilary Clinton. Due to her being a woman, the meme is being widely controversial as to being offensive as per several feminists. The claims being stated in this argument is that, “women: can’t be funny, that they are calculating, stiff and that they are inherently unlikable.” All this debate, sexism and view of stereotype towards women is being ignited by a simple meme. When is a meme more than just a meme? Or in this case, when is it not?

(Topic Sentence): The allegations made by this article show me how immediate memes can flicker a debate, in this case, regarding sexism against women. A meme is meant to be somewhat humorist and to connect several audiences and followers of whatever it is they’re posting about. In his book Anderson H. clarifies, "As the literary analysis of autobiography confirms, the story of a life continues to be re figured by all the truthful or fictive stories a subject tells about about himself or herself."(216) In more understandable meanings, the individual's identity, in this case Hilary Clinton, influences the way she is perceived to her specific audience. The man who made the meme and a woman who’s against it due to the sexism, make their claims which seem credible. A question that’s made me want to know more about this topic, why does a meme have to spark or influence a totally different debate? This piece will help me further answer my inquiry because I want to know how a meme is able to be constructed as self-identity on Twitter. Being that this actually became prominent on the app, it intrigues me more as a user to see how a meme truly shows the “colors” of one’s personality.

Works Cited

(Revised Citation): Sanders, Sam. “#MemeOfTheWeek: Bernie Or Hilary. Sexist or Nah?” NPR. NPR, 05 Feb. 2016. http://www.npr.org/2016/02/05/465752565/-memeoftheweek-bernie-or-hillary-sexist-or-nah  

Anderson H. (1997). Self: Narrative, Identity, and Agency. Anderson's Conversations, Language and Possibilities. New York: Basic Books, 1997. 211-234 Print. PDF.

Reflection #6

After writing this essay on Rhetorical Analysis I’ve gained lots of knowledge of how a post can influence a specific audience. Writing about Chris Evans, an important celebrity icon, led me to be a more profound writer. I gained immense information and gathered lots of rhetorical understanding of how to break down a post. The affordances of the app in which I used to write about, made it generally easier for me to approach the post. The help from my peers regarding my writing, as well as the support from my professor guided my mind into actually find the rhetorical output of what breaking down a post may be. Being able to attain the way the post was being persuasive was a key concept in me developing an essay. The reintroduction of Ethos, Pathos and Logos and the details on which they were being described influenced me again of how a specific persona could get their message across. I also learned that not all posts are intended for a specific audience, but may also be aiming its attention to those who oppose in the actual argument. More than anything I gained knowledge in how to write accordingly as to what it was I must break down within a posts argument. 

Paper #2 Rhetorical Analysis-Final Draft

Jose Mejia

Ms. Reyes

English 1302-65R

3/8/2017

Twitters: “Captain ‘America’”

Whether it’s with a “tweet”, the notorious “hashtag” or even a spontaneous picture upload, Twitter has found many ways to let people all over the world express their stories. Thousands, and even millions of posts are posted and passed along through twitter implementing opinions of all kind. All posts mainly are made or composed of national or even global situations that are happening. One’s opinion can be another’s total opposing reason on what they believe is right or wrong on certain dilemmas. Chris Evans, better known as “Captain America”, uses twitter almost on a constant basis. He solidifies his word and is outspoken on anything that comes to mind. More than anything Evans or “Steve Rogers”, was ironically a big vocal leader in his opinions towards the past Presidential Campaign.

Mr. Evans mentions in this self-writing platform, “Obviously must prioritize keeping Americans safe. But we mustn’t become Un-American in the process.” Chris Evans was a tremendous Hilary Clinton follower during the past Campaign, seeming to always have support on what she thought was right. More than anything, “Steve Rogers”, was totally against the now President, Donald Trump. To further breakdown this post Evans states that the priority more than anything is to keep America safe. Agreeing with this push towards the nation in his opinion is great, but the “Un-American” manner in which Mr. Trump is heading towards, is what bothers him. Regardless whether it’s dislike towards Trump, or a huge amount of gratitude towards keeping America safe, “Captain America” knows that his post should be heard and taken into consideration. Twitter allowed Evans to have his voice heard by every single one of his followers.

Chris Evans’s tweet displays in an attempt through false authority appeal with Ethos as well as Pathos to construct an identity which in this fallacy contradicts the post.

Evans ineffective appeal to Ethos hurts his attempt to construct a heroic identity. The audience in respective to this manner is more than anything the American people. More specifically the Americans who were involved in voting and who are heavily followers of making the country better on all aspects. “Captain America” or “Steve Rogers” can be seen to any of his followers or fans as a respective hero in the fantasy world. In the real world, Chris Evans is just like any other sub-ordinary American. Although being a celebrity, Evans has the same rights as any other ordinary person. The ineffectiveness of Ethos in this situation is what truly disconnects the fan base away from the actual knowledge on the Presidential Campaign. Seen as a hero and an important icon in the “Avengers” movies doesn’t give enough credibility to the actor portraying him. In Ramage, Bean, and Johnson’s, “Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings,” the authors mention something known as the ‘Rhetorical Triangle’ (pg.55). This structure or template characterized key points such as the audience, message and the writer or speaker. Ethos in this book is defined to focus its attention on the writer’s character. However, Chris Evans isn’t portraying himself as “Captain America” or “Steve Rogers”, he’s portraying himself, as himself. This fallacy is true to where it’s seen as a false authority because he’s not showing true ethical appeal to ‘His’ specific audience.

In addition, this post is generally also very connected to the audience intended by using the Pathos emotion.  Chris Evans’s attempt in connecting with his followers is the focus in which he is going towards for in his post. Although not saying this while posing as “Captain America”, Evans makes sure that any followers of politics or of making America a better place are aware of his valid opinion. Is it credible? Yes, it’s credible to those whom the post is reaching out for. He’s sympathizing by using the overall aspect of “America” and how it’s going to be viewed after the elections. Anderson remarks in his readings, “Our stories form, inform, and re-form our sources of knowledge, our views of reality” (Anderson 212). The post Evans tweeted was credible, persuasive to the audience and overall a powerful opinion.

In essence, any reader or analysis or reads this post can gain a lot from what its true meaning may be. Being able to break down this post is what’s going to allow any follower of his or even opposing American to further connect with what Evans is trying to compel. This post is able to connect to other such arguments, especially those who oppose and are in favor of what the President is doing to better the country. It sparks a debate, but also has lots of reason because of the ‘American’ way the nation has always been. 

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. Boston: Pearson, 2016. Print.

Reflection #5

After receiving feedback from my peer, their comments have boosted my knowledge of how my ideas are well organized and presented. My introduction thus far, is the best thing about my blog. I introduced my platform accordingly and distinctly with affordances that provides the reader with insight on what the app is all about. Throughout the semester, we’ve studied and read all sorts of chapters on the course book. These chapters have opened my mind and led me to improve on how I shape my paragraphs. Transitional phrases have improved my blog as well, in making it more fluid to read and able to understand important details. My thesis is engaging, according to my peer, but putting it where it must be is key to making it more credible. My conclusion is the biggest weakness of my writing. This past Friday, Ms. Reyes mentioned a ton of valuable ideas in which I can use to better form and compose my conclusion.