SWA #4

1.      I am analyzing two deodorant products, Old Spice for men and Secret (April, 2009, Cosmopolitan) for women.       

2.    The audiences for these ads are typically teenager to middle-aged men (Old Spice) and teenager to middle aged women (Secret).

3.        The Old Spice ad employs a well-lit atmosphere with a blue, tropical colored sky in the background. The man used for the model is physically strong, has a confident grin on his face, facial hair, and a mustache, all of which are classic American icons of masculinity. The various island scenes on his body, such as the sand, various island flora and fauna, woman tanner, stranded ship, volcano, etc are symbols of the beach life. 

           The Secret ad shows a toned, blonde haired woman in a bikini jumping into a pool confidently and with an almost independent mindset. She is at a party where party goers look on while she jumps in the pool with a smile on her face-the lighting, atmosphere, and dress of the party goers suggests it is a casual party.

4.       I chose these two ads because they are the first ideas that came to me- they are common products that are well advertised in many forms of media. The differences between these two ads are the stereotypes the appeal to. While Old Spice appeals to the image of a masculine, confident man with a particular theme about him (in this ad's case, the tropics), the Secret ad depicts a woman who is empowered to not hide her body from public-she is in a modest bikini that shows her armpits, and she is not afraid to be seen like this.

SWA #3

John Morin

English 102-111

January 22, 2012

SWA #3, Draft 1

Short Writing Assignment #3

            One of the least talked about issues in American society is the institutionalization of our elders. While many countries provide a place in everyday life for the elderly, America does the exact opposite: nursing homes, foundations where old people are grouped together to live in enclosed communities, are common resting places for many Americans. Like unwanted objects, many of these people, once lively and considered the backbone of the American workforce, are placed in these homes by the very children they raised. Why is this done? One in favor of the nursing home could say that it is both traditional and practical. As our nation becomes increasingly more focused on being the best, most powerful, and most productive country in the world, those who are not physically able to support the drive to advance are pushed to the side. The key population targeted, of course, is the elderly. For many families, having an elderly parent live at home in in times where the economy is weak is extremely costly, as one must pay for extra food, utilities, and medicine. Thus, many people choose to hide their parents and grandparents away, where they cannot play an active role in the everyday activities of their family.

This topic is increasingly becoming more aware in society, despite the lack of publicity in the media. As health care and quality of life increases, our nation’s life expectancy is steadily increasing, and the amount of elderly who have a right to be active in society increases also. In the future, it is possible that the customs and traditions dealing with our elderly will change as our parents, and eventually ourselves, could be forced into nursing homes.

The image on page seven of Writing Arguments is a patriotic depiction that appeals to the pride of Americans. A bald eagle against a sky colored background, staring fiercely into the world, is colored in the red, white, and blue of the American flag. Captioned underneath the picture, in bold lettering, is the phrase, “These colors don’t run!” This image is an accurate portrayal of the history and power of American patriotism. Since the nation’s founding in the Revolutionary War, men have fought, killed, and died to preserve the independence and freedom that this flag represents. Over time, as the might of the United States grew, the ideals that this flag represents on a global level have changed. During World War I, where America first arrived on the global scene as defenders of the weak and oppressors of the cruel, the flag stood for protection and righteousness. No other nation had a government like America: we were truly a unique land. Since the First World War, the American flag, as well as the bald eagle, have come to be synonymous with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The bald eagle, in turn, represents the authority of our people. Its noble features, etched all over the land, stand in hand with the flag and its colors: “These colors don’t run” is an excellent phrase that captures what America stands for.

SWA #2

John Morin

English 102-111
January 18, 2012

SWA#2, Draft 1

Short Writing Assignment #2

            In Jamais Cascio’s article, “Get Smarter,” Cascio discusses the history of the development of human intelligence and what the future might hold. In early human history, humans developed various abilities, such as long-term planning and formal language structures, to cope with a rapidly changing environment and global climate. While humans in the B.C.E. through the first millennium of the C.E. era relied upon natural evolution to develop sophisticated mental prowess, Cascio argues that in modern times, to survive as our ancestors have done, we cannot rely on evolution alone: we met develop ourselves. In the face of rapid climate changes, low food supplies, disease pandemics all around the world, and other dangerous threats to our race, we must constantly focus on improving our ability to solve problems and issues using not only our own brain power, but that of machines. “Get Smarter” heavily discusses the future of Artificial Intelligence, where computers with the mental capacity and speed of a fully developed human brain (and possibly even better) will be able to use simulations, data, and other tools to solve problems. In the face of new technology like this (which won’t be out for another few decades), humankind will develop itself using various tools so that we can have the ability to become a more mentally powerful race. For example, drugs that can keep someone more focused and alert are used in great amounts by the youth of today to keep up with the demands of a rapidly changing economy. By the time one graduates from high school or college, the number of people who will be taking advanced classes and lectures beyond the expected level of their age will surely have increased, simply because of the increasingly higher need for technological prowess in many industries, such as business, medicine, agriculture, and other important fields. In the face of progression at staggering rates like these, mankind has little choice but to keep moving forward.

SWA #1

John Morin

English 102-111

January 10, 2012

SWA#1, Draft 1

Short Writing Assignment #1

            In my English 101 portfolio last semester, I included four essays. The first essay was based off of the analysis of a written text, such as a poem, short story, or an excerpt from a memoir. In my first essay, I used an excerpt from a memoir to analyze the change in the author’s relationship with her father. I argued that, while the author’s initial relationship with her father was strained in her youth because of their lack of communication and mutual experiences, the two are able to reconcile with one another through discussion and through sharing their thoughts and opinions.

            The second essay that I wrote was an analysis based off of a visual text. In my case, I used a sculpture, called La Pieta. This artwork depicts the Virgin Mary cradling her son Jesus after He was crucified and taken down from the crucifix. I argued that the attention to detail, imagery, and structure of the sculpture helped to develop the artist’s personal rendition of an event that has no primary sources (in terms of visual records), and that the work of art helps to develop modern day ideas of an ancient topic.  

            In my third essay, I analyzed a cultural film that uses satire as a way to develop a unique message about the era of the film’s subject. I analyzed the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, a satirical comedy about the development of women’s rights in San Diego, California during the 1970’s. I argued that, while the movie’s face value suggests that the national women’s rights movement helped the nation develop stronger gender equality values and ideals in the work place and at home, the satirical nature of the film suggests that the women’s rights movement only slightly improved the level of equality between man and woman in the modern era.

            In my last essay, I picked two versions of the folk tale Cinderella and analyzed the differences between the two author’s stories. Using Andrew Lang’s version and the Brothers Grimm version of the story, I argued that the differences between the two versions are to suggest unique moral themes for each author.  Andrew Lang’s version suggested that people who are good at heart and in action will acquire rewards and happiness because of their goodness, and that those who seek forgiveness will receive it. The Brothers Grimm version suggested that, while individuals who are noble in action and spirit will be rewarded, those who do bad things will suffer for their evils.

            I believe that my greatest essay is the last essay, because I was able to successfully analyze and give strong supporting evidence for each of my claims in regards to the personal view of each author. My weakest essay was my second essay, because I found difficulty in finding something to argue about the text-my essay more pointed out and discussed the various details of the visual text and what they meant, rather than arguing a claim about the piece as a whole.

            The best piece I have ever written was a religious piece about my connection with God. I felt really inspired to put my heart into an essay after a religious retreat that renewed my faith. I felt that I was able to make it my best essay because I was more connected to myself than I had been in years, and it felt like I was more open, more inspired to write. The words seemed to write themselves. In contrast, the worst essay I wrote was probably the SAT required essay. I do not write well under pressure- I can form well phrased ideas and arguments, but I need time. The SAT essay topic I was given was so foreign to me that I could not form supporting evidence for my claims, and thus I bombed the essay. I have to say that the fact that I was able to write a great essay and receive high marks and praise from my teacher had the better impact. It reminds me that I do have the potential to write well, even when I do not believe I can.