3 no-brainer discussions
sickjam29
3.docxThis is the first exercise this week that will give you some practice with language in persuasion. For this discussion, you have the following two options:
Option A
1. Find one of the following: A short, written article, a print ad, or a commercial. It can be on any topic you want, but you may find it more relevant to focus on the issues we've discussed in class so far.
2. Examine the article and identify any 3 of the language terms from your text, and/or posted on Canvas (emotive language, connotations, etc.)
3. Post the link to your article/ad/commercial along with the language terms (and where they pop up)
Option B
Select a celebrity, political figure, well-known product, or location. While it is helpful to connect this to your topic, it is not required. In your initial post, include the following:
· One passage (think of it as an advertisement) painting the above in a positive light
· One passage painting it in a completely negative light.
· An evocative title to your post to grab a reader’s attention.
Your initial post should incorporate the different types of language described in our textbook and mentioned in the handout located under week 5 ("Language & Persuasion: Terms"). Do not tell us what you’re describing! That comes later.
Responses
Your response will be contingent on the option chosen.
Responses for Option A
Read over the post of one of your classmates and see if you can identify further examples of the terms they used, or others that they did not mention.
Responses for Option B
Read over the posts of at least one classmate and include the following:
· The types of language you believe your classmate is attempting to incorporate
· Who or what you think they are trying to describe.
The overall idea behind this exercise is that language can be used in powerful ways to completely distort something that is normally positive, or uplift something that is neutral, or even negative. Have fun with this exercise! And do your best to stump your peers.
Response to the following:
1)
Connotations @00:16 - Stefano Gabanna seen here with Travis, has made numerous and well documented, racist, homophobic, & misogynistic comments throughout the years
Slanting @00:33 - Now when you think of the Kravis wedding you think of Dolce and Gabbana
Emotive language @00:36 - What perplexes me the most is that the Kardashian's didn't need this sponsorship, they are one of the most powerful, wealthiest, families
Concrete Language @00:03 - the more that I think about it the more it feels like a publicity stunt on Dolce & Gabbana's part in sort of these ultimate final chapter of their comeback.
2)
Language and Persuasion - Key Terms
Chapter 10 of your textbook (9th edition) introduces a few different types of language to strengthen your persuasive argument. As always, the list below is not intended as a replacement for reading your text, but rather an abbreviated list to refer back to, along with a few examples.
Emotive Language
Language that expresses and arouses emotions.
“Entrepreneur” “income inequality” “love” “comfort” etc.
Connotations
Meanings attached to a word apart from its explicit definitions. Essentially, one form of emotive language. Consider the connotations of the following words:
“Educated” “home” “police brutality” “poor” “unsuccessful” “welfare mom” etc.
Euphemisms
Unpleasant or unmentionable things disguised by polite terms. For example:
“Hooking up” “In between jobs” “discovering one’s self.”
Slanting
Interpreting or presenting in line with a special interest”; tends to suggest a prejudice and a judgment without access to all the facts.
“Incorporating gun control is an insult to all law-abiding supporters of the second amendment”
“Anyone who values human communication should avoid being addicted to a smart phone.”
“Everyone knows the most successful graduates come from a UC, not a CSU”
Figurative Language
Words that produce images in the mind of the reader. Can be used to height the impact of an argument. Simile, metaphor, and personification are examples of using figurative language.
Concrete Language
Words that point to real objects and experiences – often more descriptive.
Abstract Words
Express qualities, characteristics, and values. Useful for making generalizations.
