Reflection

Writing a persuasive piece is difficult for a few reasons. One (obviously) is because you have to persuade the reader while keeping them interested and not boring them to death. This can be hard if you don't know what you are talking about, and if you are just trying to BS your way through it. Another reason why it's challenging is that you have to have a good number of points to support your side of the arguements, and facts (not opinions!) to back up those points. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to find the supporting facts and integrate them into your report.

This can be improved in a number of ways. Primarily, reading other pursuasive pieces would help to develop more of an understanding of how a well written one should look. Before writing, an outline should be created, either on paper or in your head, to help plan out how the piece should look. Following the SESICU (Statement Explain Support Illustrate Connect Unite) method when writing would create a more effective piece. When editing the paper, it should be read aloud, not just spell checked. This would help to catch those homophones and grammatical errors that escape the powers of spell check. Reading it aloud can also help to see if the piece flows smoothly, and determine if sentences/ideas should be added or cut out.

For support to help improve these skills, I think maybe another analysis of a well written arguement would do a world of good, while also not holding back the course. Spending a day or two on that would certainly help a lot.

Obama's Victory Speech in Chicago

Obama's Victory speech was shorter, but in my opinion, just as brilliant as his acceptance speech. Just as in his other speech, he spoke with clarity, calmness and emotion. Also, he thanked many people, including Joe Biden, his family, as well as the entire nation. He said "But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you." Also like his acceptance speech, he used inclusion to great effect. He also uses repitition in both speeches, as well as alliterations. In both speeches, he also uses rhetorical climax to great effect, really getting the crowd into it. An excellent example is the following:

"Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope. "

He used these rhetorical devices to great effect and really got his ideas and messages accross, capturing the audience in his words. He is an amazing speaker.

Obama's Acceptance Speech

I watched President Obama's acceptance for candicy speech, and one of the first things that jumped out at me was calm he is in front of such a large audience. This shows me that he is very good at dealing with pressure. He was able to deliver an amazing speech with emotion, but was yet able to keep it formal and humble. He was able to get the crowd really going and keep their attention throughout the duration of the address. That is something not easy to do for a 45+ minute speech, and is one of his traits that earns him my admiration.

Another thing that he did was he never really set himself above the crowd. He thanked others, including his rival Hilary Clinton, and always took the oppertunity to include the audience in the speech. He also inspires the hope of the nation. By using inclusion to great effect, he can reach out and make each member of the audience feel that their opinion is heard, and that they are winning the election together.

"Through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams, but still come together as one American Family..."

President Obama also linked John McCain to the "Bush Administration", continuously pointing out the flaws that made Bush the president we remember him to be.

"These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush."

This was a good plan, because it helped draw even more of a dividing line between himself and McCain, as he pointed out that these "failed policies" were supported by McCain more often than not.

"But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush ninety percent of the time."

All in all, Barrak Obama is an amazing public speaker. He devlivered a speech that was clear to the listener, even though it was often interrupted by the enthusiastic applause from the audience along with the chant "Obama! Obama!". He spoke with emotion and it was easy to get lost in his words.

Review Topics (Better late then never?)

Rhetorical Devices

• A rhetorical devise is a technique used to get a emotional reaction from their readers or listeners
• Over 60 rhetorical devices exist (ex. Alliteration, Amplification, Hyperbole, etc.)

MLA Citation

• General format: Author(s). Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication

Structuring an Arguement

• Creating an outline first is a good way to start off
• Introduction should catch the attention of the audience and make your arguement clear
• First supporting section should lay out the background of the arguement
• Next section should be your supporting points, each discussed in a seperate paragraph
• Third section should discuss opposing arguements, also in seperate paragraphs
• Last section should restate the main point and summarize your arguement

Literary Devices

• Used by writers to help enhance a story
• Literary devices are used in pieces of literature (such as articles/stories) while dramatic devices are used in films or plays

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