UC Davis Pepper Spraying: a Symbolic Response to Occupy Wall Street BY Russell Amor
This article, when read, can strike up many different opinions. A person could wonder if they agree with Amor's idea that the policemen were simply acting on behalf of a higher power or if this act should be compared to the acts of Nazi soldiers. Amor evokes these questions by using diction, details, and syntax.
When you begin this article, you immediately know which side the author is on. Amor uses diction to portray his emotions about the event. Instead of using neutral words, Amor uses words such as "tragic" and "appalling" to describe the event in the first sentence of his article. Also, while voicing his opinion that the policemen were 'forced' to act this way by a higher power, he uses words such as "manipulate" and "compromise" to sway our opinions of the matter. While it may seem that these words are just used to describe how the situation happened, these words are actually affecting readers opinions because of their negative connotations. This connotation leads to further disappointment in the situation and affects the tone of the article as a whole.
The main focus of this article is Amor's comparison to the policemen's actions at Davis and the actions of others who were listening to authority figures. Amor makes this comparison very powerful by using details about how these past events are similar to the events this past week at Davis. Amor uses details about how authority affects people by saying "they must proceed" and that these people will respond this way "even if it compromises our [their] own personal vaules" allowing the reader to see that the act at UC Davis have been done before. These details provide Amor's piece with meaning by elaborating on his idea that these acts were "normal".
While reading this article, I felt as if the author was talking to me, explaining why these events happened while giving his opinion of the whole ordeal. The syntax in this piece gave me that personal and conversational feeling. The sentences were long, but had multiple breaks in them making it sound as if the author was speaking directly to me.
Amor's article portrays both his emotions and his theories about why this happened with the use of diction, detail, and synatx.
Showing posts with label Close Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Close Reading. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Closed Reading #3
The 'Let Women Die' Bill - Ross Becht
In this article, Ross Becht discusses the bill in women would be potentially forced to die, rather than abort their babies in the case of complications. In this article, Becht uses diction, syntax, and imagery to express his opinion on this bill.
As soon as you begin the article, you can sense the tension and complete disgust in the idea of this bill by his choice of words. By using words such as refusing, unfortunately, and ridiculous to describe how he feels about thisbill Becht, is automatically setting the tone of the article.
Another way we can understand Becht's point of view was his syntax. He easily got his point across by asking the readers questions and using phrases to express his view. Another way he uses syntax to make his point clear to the readers is by using long sentences with the most powerful piece of information at the end to shock his readers and influence them to have the same opinion that he does.
Finally, the most effective thing that Becht uses to express his opinion is the strong and vivid images. Becht begins the article talking about his own personal experience with his wife and the hardships all women face either during or after pregnancy. This really allows the reader to embody the physical pain that these women go through leaving the reader feeling sympathetic. The strongest use of imagery is at the end of the article he starts three sentences with "As a ..." and follows each phrase with a reason why he is appalled when he is this certain type of person. By doing this we can see how different readers may react to this bill, based on their background.
By chooisng what he put into his sentences and carefully picking his words and memories, Becht is able to influence his readers and make them see the error in this bill.
In this article, Ross Becht discusses the bill in women would be potentially forced to die, rather than abort their babies in the case of complications. In this article, Becht uses diction, syntax, and imagery to express his opinion on this bill.
As soon as you begin the article, you can sense the tension and complete disgust in the idea of this bill by his choice of words. By using words such as refusing, unfortunately, and ridiculous to describe how he feels about thisbill Becht, is automatically setting the tone of the article.
Another way we can understand Becht's point of view was his syntax. He easily got his point across by asking the readers questions and using phrases to express his view. Another way he uses syntax to make his point clear to the readers is by using long sentences with the most powerful piece of information at the end to shock his readers and influence them to have the same opinion that he does.
Finally, the most effective thing that Becht uses to express his opinion is the strong and vivid images. Becht begins the article talking about his own personal experience with his wife and the hardships all women face either during or after pregnancy. This really allows the reader to embody the physical pain that these women go through leaving the reader feeling sympathetic. The strongest use of imagery is at the end of the article he starts three sentences with "As a ..." and follows each phrase with a reason why he is appalled when he is this certain type of person. By doing this we can see how different readers may react to this bill, based on their background.
By chooisng what he put into his sentences and carefully picking his words and memories, Becht is able to influence his readers and make them see the error in this bill.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Close Reading #2
"Up From Ugliness" - Ross Douthat
When I first looked at this article, I expected it to be about the late Steve Jobs and every one of his accomplishments. However, as I continued to read the article I was mesmerized by how Jobs had affected not just the products we use, but how they are perceived. By the careful use of diction, imagery, and syntax Douthat convinces his readers that Jobs was more than just a successful business man, but a man who shaped the modern world into something beautiful.
In this article, Douthat uses positive words to emphasize his opinion of Jobs. Words such as glories, allure, grace, style and beautiful all create a positive and innovative impression of the work Jobs has done. The sentence ". . . Jobs revived the romance of modernity — the assumption, shared by Victorian science-fiction writers and space-age dreamers alike, that the world of the future should be more glamorous than the present" is loaded with words that appeal to the reader making Jobs sound like a glorified inventor. The positive words sway the reader to listen to Douthat's perspective of Jobs and begin to see the impact that Jobs really had.
While reading this essay, I was constantly comparing both fantasies and realities of the world and what it was envisioned to be. Most people had an ideal image of what the future would be when they were younger; in this essay I was able to compare what I had expected to what Steve Jobs had created. The author evokes this thought process by comparing strong images. Douthat describes a less innovative and ugly world as "Our cities had crime-ridden towers and white elephant shopping centers where the neighborhoods used to be. . ." and then switches to describing the current world by saying ". . . a return to walkable neighborhoods, human-scale housing, and pleasant public spaces. . . our cars more curvaceous, our civic architecture less offensive." The contrast of these different images followed by a description of the type of work Jobs did causes the reader to imagine the two types of lifestyles and the impact Jobs had on it.
Another reason this piece causes a strong sense of admiration for Steve Jobs is the use of syntax in the article. A common tactic used in this piece is the pairing of short sentences followed by a long sentence. This allows the reader to learn some quick information about Jobs and then go onto hear how this affected the world. Syntax, imagery, and diction are all used in this piece to highlight the contributions that Steve Jobs has left this world with.
When I first looked at this article, I expected it to be about the late Steve Jobs and every one of his accomplishments. However, as I continued to read the article I was mesmerized by how Jobs had affected not just the products we use, but how they are perceived. By the careful use of diction, imagery, and syntax Douthat convinces his readers that Jobs was more than just a successful business man, but a man who shaped the modern world into something beautiful.
In this article, Douthat uses positive words to emphasize his opinion of Jobs. Words such as glories, allure, grace, style and beautiful all create a positive and innovative impression of the work Jobs has done. The sentence ". . . Jobs revived the romance of modernity — the assumption, shared by Victorian science-fiction writers and space-age dreamers alike, that the world of the future should be more glamorous than the present" is loaded with words that appeal to the reader making Jobs sound like a glorified inventor. The positive words sway the reader to listen to Douthat's perspective of Jobs and begin to see the impact that Jobs really had.
While reading this essay, I was constantly comparing both fantasies and realities of the world and what it was envisioned to be. Most people had an ideal image of what the future would be when they were younger; in this essay I was able to compare what I had expected to what Steve Jobs had created. The author evokes this thought process by comparing strong images. Douthat describes a less innovative and ugly world as "Our cities had crime-ridden towers and white elephant shopping centers where the neighborhoods used to be. . ." and then switches to describing the current world by saying ". . . a return to walkable neighborhoods, human-scale housing, and pleasant public spaces. . . our cars more curvaceous, our civic architecture less offensive." The contrast of these different images followed by a description of the type of work Jobs did causes the reader to imagine the two types of lifestyles and the impact Jobs had on it.
Another reason this piece causes a strong sense of admiration for Steve Jobs is the use of syntax in the article. A common tactic used in this piece is the pairing of short sentences followed by a long sentence. This allows the reader to learn some quick information about Jobs and then go onto hear how this affected the world. Syntax, imagery, and diction are all used in this piece to highlight the contributions that Steve Jobs has left this world with.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Close Reading #1
In New Sitcoms, Parents Need the Growing Up by Heather Havrilesky
In this article, Harilesky discusses the differences in the roles of adults and children in several of today's hit TV shows. She discusses the different ways adults and children interact on these shows and how the standards of parenting have changed. Harilesky makes her view apparent to her readers with the use of diction, imagery, details.
Diction:
The word choice Havrilesky uses heavily reflects her opinion. Words like hopeless, misguided, and imperfect all have a negative connotation giving the readers a negative view of these parents. Phrases like "overachiever and underachiever", "idealist and pragmatist", "valiant hero and lazy jerk", "jittery angst", and "aggressively unpleasant" are used to describe both parents and the TV shows of today. This allows readers to think about parenting while being shown the negative side of it causing disdain towards these topics.
Imagery:
At the beginning of the article, Havrilesky mentions being an adult and living next to a house that held several children's parties involving a bounce house. She then goes on to describe the bounce house as a place where "little kids and big kids shrieked and giggled and barely missed injuring one another" and then compares it to the actions of adults on current TV shows. Because the image of children in a bounce house and the chaos that goes with it is both a strong image and familiar sight to most, Havrilesky's readers are able to easily compare the two actions together. Another example of how imagery explains Havrilesky's opinion is the comparison of the two styles of TV, the then and the now. She describes the shows of the past as "sassy kids. . . engaging in mildly naughty activities. . . necessitating awkward family discussions that end when the perp apologizes. . ." allowing her readers to remember the TV shows they grew up on and recall clips of such shows. Havrilesky then switches gears and discusses the shows of today. Her example involves daughters who disrespect their parents, parents who fret over what to do, and finally parents doing a foolish act as a sign of retaliation. Havrilesky uses the imagery of these TV show descriptions to sway her readers to question the TV shows of today.
Details:
The details that Havrilesky uses show her opinions of these shows and parents. Havrilesky includes specific examples from shows such as "Modern Family", "Up All Night", and "Suburgatory" to expand the readers view on how TV shows are portraying the role of parents of today by explaining scenarios in episodes that represent these roles. Her knowledge of these shows and the specific details give the article a sense of reliability and truth even though the article is based purely on opinion.
In this article, Harilesky discusses the differences in the roles of adults and children in several of today's hit TV shows. She discusses the different ways adults and children interact on these shows and how the standards of parenting have changed. Harilesky makes her view apparent to her readers with the use of diction, imagery, details.
Diction:
The word choice Havrilesky uses heavily reflects her opinion. Words like hopeless, misguided, and imperfect all have a negative connotation giving the readers a negative view of these parents. Phrases like "overachiever and underachiever", "idealist and pragmatist", "valiant hero and lazy jerk", "jittery angst", and "aggressively unpleasant" are used to describe both parents and the TV shows of today. This allows readers to think about parenting while being shown the negative side of it causing disdain towards these topics.
Imagery:
At the beginning of the article, Havrilesky mentions being an adult and living next to a house that held several children's parties involving a bounce house. She then goes on to describe the bounce house as a place where "little kids and big kids shrieked and giggled and barely missed injuring one another" and then compares it to the actions of adults on current TV shows. Because the image of children in a bounce house and the chaos that goes with it is both a strong image and familiar sight to most, Havrilesky's readers are able to easily compare the two actions together. Another example of how imagery explains Havrilesky's opinion is the comparison of the two styles of TV, the then and the now. She describes the shows of the past as "sassy kids. . . engaging in mildly naughty activities. . . necessitating awkward family discussions that end when the perp apologizes. . ." allowing her readers to remember the TV shows they grew up on and recall clips of such shows. Havrilesky then switches gears and discusses the shows of today. Her example involves daughters who disrespect their parents, parents who fret over what to do, and finally parents doing a foolish act as a sign of retaliation. Havrilesky uses the imagery of these TV show descriptions to sway her readers to question the TV shows of today.
Details:
The details that Havrilesky uses show her opinions of these shows and parents. Havrilesky includes specific examples from shows such as "Modern Family", "Up All Night", and "Suburgatory" to expand the readers view on how TV shows are portraying the role of parents of today by explaining scenarios in episodes that represent these roles. Her knowledge of these shows and the specific details give the article a sense of reliability and truth even though the article is based purely on opinion.
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