How Pathos is used in Mormon Housewives Blogs:

1. Appeals to kind of fantasy living- The author states multiple times that these lives portrayed in the blogs are what her, and other friends, sometimes dream about having.  She also states that they probably would not do it when it came to it, however, it is a nice escape.  She questions if the life of an LDS woman can really be as good as they post.  They are almost as Barbie dolls living in a perfect world.  This can help the reader begin to think of what their perfect or ideal life is like and compare with the mormon bloggers.

1. Comparisons - The author brings great feeling into her blog through herself.  She uses herself as a common woman, who seems to have no religion, nor interest in kids, cupcakes, or a “perfect life” and shows that the blog still affects her.  In a way she points out that even a woman completely opposite and different can see that the blogs are good.  She points out that the lives of the mormon housewives are not perfect and that the life they say is always the more positive, however, it is a great way to think and to get away from real life.  This can help the writer reach out to a greater audience.  It is not just for mormons, or bloggers, but even for those who never had interest in any of those things just as the writer expresses.

1. Humor - The author has a paragraph or two which are just meant to arouse the funny bone.  She writes of how the mormon blogger’s lives are a little too perfect and how the world would be if we all spoke as they did.  We would all speak like, a little insanely, happy high school girls.  Adding this really gets the reader to realize the blogger’s cover of real life.  Though she doesn’t flat out say that they are liars she does say and show that the bloggers are deciding not to share any down moments of life giving the readers a better sense that mormon housewives are actually real people.

Opinion Editorial

     

     While writing my first ever opinion editorial, I was surprised to find that, though I had 

not exactly written it down, I have done these types of papers before.  I had thought on 

the topic of being genuine hundreds of times, pondering exactly why it was like it was.  I 

have studied other people’s behavior and listened to others opinions on the same topic.  

I have also personally experience the kinds of things mentioned in my paper about 

learning to have integrity.  I feel that we all have experienced it in one way or another.  

The feeling to fit in with others in a universal one and one that does not just simply leave 

when we tell it to.  It is a feeling experienced by young and old and shown by humble 

and prideful alike.  While writing this essay I learned a lot how I could personally change 

and be more firm to my beliefs so in the process I found using pathos really helped my 

paper’s audience understand my point.  On the point of being genuine I couldn’t state 

facts or tell you exactly how it is, because it is really all different.  In that respect, I tried 

to use a general knowledge and feeling of my audience, and appeal to their more 

emotional side, by trying to motivate them to be themselves.  Logos was not key in any 

of my essay because statistics cannot explain feeling in my opinion.  Going into the 

paper I felt it would just be another assignment but as I was writing and editing for the 

final draft I realized how much of my personal thought and true feelings I put into this 

paper.  I really felt every statement was one I have analyzed and thought about for 

years.  It wasn’t unnatural or strange because it was exactly what I have been thinking 

put down on a page.  To let your thoughts flow and see it come out as something good 

and beautiful can really help you to like writing.  Writing can express yourself more than 

speaking can at times, and that, my friends, is very cool.

Reflection on  Style Academy

     The Style Academy is, at first look, something you wouldn’t expect to teach you a lot 

of new things.  The plain lay out and colors don’t exactly bring you to high expectation.  

However, as I was watching the videos which we had been assigned I was fairly 

impressed by the site.  They have put a lot of time to prepare this website.  They seem 

to focus on things that not a lot of people would focus on.  They seem to realize the 

small things can bring great results.  The couple videos we did watched focused on 

sentence imitation and combing sentences.  The first time I watched it I felt it was a 

great review, and it is!  It reminds you of the key principles that we need in order to be a 

successful writer and also lets you see some really good examples to give you an idea 

of what really needs to happen.  It really does help to see some real writers work and 

how they seem to manipulate the readers into having interest of their stories.  It really 

helps you to have a firm foundation in your own writing.  As much as the talking in the 

videos was not the most exciting or interesting, I did find those examples helpful.  

However as I watched the videos the second time I realized the best part of the videos 

was actually doing the small assignments they had for you.  It let you see exactly how 

your writing needed to be improved.  Actually doing what they suggested helped my far 

more than I thought it would.  The best part of the video, ironically, was when the video 

was paused and I was doing it all by myself.  I was surprised to find that I should, 

indeed, work on some of my writing styles to provide a more exciting paper.  So in 

closing I would have to say that, aside from the boring display and talking, I did find the 

website worth looking at.  After all, isn’t every world known teacher a dull one as well?

Funny how things work ain’t it?  

The GASCAP Project

Why Virtual Reality Will Compete with Real World?

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/527101/why-virtual-reality-will-compete-with-the-real-world/

By: Philip Rosedale

Generalization - After a few years people will turn to virtual reality for enjoyment and communication rather than the real world.

Analogy - The computer world that is within reach is as of our dreams.  To feel, touch, communicate, move, and do things as our minds see it.  In a real sense, as our dreams do as well, we will feel the virtual reality becoming reality.  He compares to being able to “touch” this magic world.

Sign - If we strive for advances in communication and entertainment, then we must take interest in the virtual advances that are within our reach, which will unable virtual meetings and talking with people across the world.

Causality - the real world will be pushed out by the virtual one, which will take over our physical and mental abilities and maximize them.

Authority - Philip states h own experience within the second world.  He also states his qualifications as being CEO of and co-founder of two companies trying to maximize the virtual reality communication between avatars.

Principle - the moral of this article is for the world to take a second look into the virtual world which can help and improve our world.  It is for more than entertainment and gaming, but communication and progress.

2013:  America on the cusp of Social Change

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/27/opinion/ghitis-2013-social-change/

By: Frida Ghitis CNN

Generalization - Americans are changing their views, whether consciously or unconsciously, when tragedy and events unfold.

Analogy - The author focuses on gun rights as she states the recent killing sprees in CO and elementary schools.  Also points out “Glee” and “Will and Grace” as a powerful movement to the gay marriage issue.

Sign - If you agree that recent tragedies has and will change your views of America’s laws, then you must be prepare to accept and back up the changes that are coming.

Causality - The issues that America was thought to have left behind long ago are turning around in quick fashion.  So quick that America will not be able to react fast enough to the needy Americans.

Authority - CNN is a very reliable and trusted source, which she has written for.  Shows understanding of century’s history and change of America.

Principle - the moral of the article is that we need to be ready for a huge change of social America.  It is having a 180 degree turn in rights and laws, and we need to prepare ourselves for the change’s consequence.  

To Be or Not to Be....Yourself?

It really does seem like in the world the reality of everything we know is meeting 

the fiction of the virtual world.  Whether it is through technology, advertisements , tv 

show, or even role models the world is creating a, near impossible, standard for 

ourselves.  It is not enough that many suffer from low self esteem about themselves, but 

we have to shove it into their minds that perfection is possible only to see them fall short 

of it each and every time.  The saddest part I think is that we let ourselves do it.  We, 

sometimes unconsciously, fall into the trap that to be “popular” or to fit in is to be 

someone else.  That doesn’t lead to a happy life or even a satisfying one.

When I think of my thesis I imagine it coming out to say how we need to be 

strong and genuine.  We need to try our best to get the reward of personal acceptance 

rather than worldly acceptance.  Is that not what we all strive for?  To like ourselves, and 

to be happy with who WE are?  “While the world turns away from what is real, we need 

to find respect, self acceptance, and happiness through turning to our true self.”, is kind 

of how I see my thesis going.  It is a simple request, but a hard one for many.  In a world 

where everyone tries to reach a perfect fake I find the people I respect the most are 

those who need not to be reminded who they are and what they stand for.  The genuine 

role models are the ones I trust and who I see not going back on their word.  They show 

me more than just tell me and if they can’t show me they try with sincere effort.  I guess 

a good point to make is this “genuine” attitude is just integrity.  Being who you say you 

are.  

I think we all have been victims of liars, or those who just don’t quite say the 

truth.  The funny thing is, in my personal experience, I sensed that they were not quite 

saying the whole truth.  It is a special sense that God has given us to distinguish those 

who do not share truth.  When we know they are not saying the truth we don’t feel 

comfortable around them.  We feel we can’t fully trust them because they wouldn’t 

accept it.  Whether it be girlfriends, boyfriends, family, or strangers on the street we 

know the real them.  

I really hope to help people gain a desire for pure honesty and integrity.  When 

we personally are genuine about ourselves we bring out our strengths and help others.  

We gain trust of the people we love and ourselves.  We see that no matter what the 

world tells us we are or are not we know we have more potential than anything the 

world can promise us.  To not constantly worry about ourselves and our status is the 

greatest feeling in the world.  We know we can trust ourselves and can bring all we can 

to the table.  Jump not into “reality” but jump into your real self.  That’s where you find 

the most rewarding, lasting, and REAL blessings.

     It was really interesting to read some opinion editorials which really help you to see people's powerful way to persuade.  They include a lot of passion, honesty, and straightforward approaches to get their point across.  The first article in which I read was about the dress code of BYU.  Even though that was to be the topic of the article it really covered more of the overall obedience of BYU students.  The writer stated her experience but seemed to avoid the true issue she claimed was at stake.  She didn't do an amazing job to keep us focused on the dress code, but in the end we did learn that, due to our religious obligation, we should honor the rules.  The second article was of kissing on campus.  I didn't like this article very much as the writer states from the beginning that she is not a good source or credible writer for this subject.  She is probably very young in dating experience and does not seem like the person who is fond of relationships period.  She seems to have a very bad thought process of dating.  She did include some great points of which we need to be more aware of what we are doing around who, but in her tone we find her a little patronizing.  The last article was the best.  It is of wrestlers that, due to weight loss in competition, have died "crawling to the scale."  It was a very dramatic article which definitely picked at your feelings.  In the end you can see that a lot of the stories he tells us might be a little exaggerated.  Especially seeing that this article was written in the 1990s it is safe to assume that wrestling rules of college have been improved.  However, through the gripping word choice, and relevance to people in my life I found it to persuade me to dislike the sport and what it does.  Well done!

Hayden Gerrard

WRTG 150

To Be Genuine 

    It seems that in a world of constant motion, change is also always on the move.  Sometimes it is slow, or sometimes it is fast.  Sometimes it is big, and sometimes it is huge!  There are few things that really stay the same.  Friends go, families grow and move apart, jobs take us elsewhere, music spurns a media revolution, and so on.  Sometimes it is hard to stay on a firm foundation of good, bad, right, and wrong.  In my mind I think that most people are on a firm foundation, but they seem to step off the platform often to go and associate with the others for a time.  However, the platform, or foundation they created from youth, families, friends, or religion always remain there.  The true mark of a man is the man who is, indeed, true to his faith, and belief.  It is the one who does get swayed by the waves of society, nor do they lack self confidence to stay on the good, firm foundation that has been created.  I believe the simple fixer is to do a simple thing: be yourself.  Be genuine.  Have integrity and be true to yourself and others.

     To be genuine and true in a society that is more, and more untrue, fake, or surreal is something very hard.  But why is it so important?  I feel so strongly that a genuine man is a real man.  I believe that for about three main reasons:

1. It shows respect and love for themselves, and their belief.
2. We, humans, have a seventh sense that allows us to know reality, and fiction.  That is not just a coincidence.  
3. They understand the need for improvement but also realize the presence of acceptance.  This does not just include acceptance of self. 

It is an interesting thing we face in the world.  It is a fight to know reality and truth.  Sometimes we stray into the ideal reality, and forget actuality faking to ourselves the absence of evil.  Sometimes we focus too much on actuality and how dark the world can  be and forget how we are to decide how much light, from hope, and faith will enter into our lives by trying our best.  We need to find a balance!  We are not to walk in ignorance, but also not to walk under a dark cloud.  

     I have never met anyone who has loved a faker.  Fakers have caused disasters for ourselves, nations, and the ones we love.  Whether it be the lie of Clinton, the faked loved of a spouse, or a girl/boy cheating on you it can affect all people.  The greatest happiness comes of a genuine person.  Admit weakness, increase strength, and change for the right reasons.  Don’t let the world control your potential.  We are all incredible people.  Lets act like it.