Copy your essay here as a comment and please finish before class begins next Wednesday. Remember this is a first draft; however, I expect a full, 750 word draft. Be sure to design your essay based on the two examples given to you in class: "You win some; you lose some" and "Addicted to Oil?"
Put your examples of three different literary elements that occur in both stories (as a comparison) as comments to this post. Each student in the group is responsible for a single example. Finish your work before Wednesday's class.
Remember to make your comparison based on, for example, how effective it is (you may decide that each story uses the element equally effectively but be sure to explain why you think that).
In particularly, I saw Obama’s ad used the repetition technique to show the relationship’s images between George Bush and John McCain again and again, and said if we voted for McCain, he would be the same as George Bush, and he repeated the phrase “the same” many times. Collin Powell, ex secretary of the state who had a lot of experiences in White House saying he would be voting for Obama in order to convince people that Obama was the good future president. This is really a testimonial technique. Sarah Palin wanted to us to elect John McCain and her through plain folk way by bringing her whole family on the stage to show people that she was pure and the same as us, and understanded ordinary people’s lives. C-Span Politic (videos from Brad)
It seems that everybody in the world knows who is qualified to be the American next president, except almost 50% of American people. Therefore I understand why there are criticisms say they are not educated enough.
Looking at the campaign ads, the methods of persuasion are still the most common five which we have learnt in Communication 12 class: using of examples: Nadler-Obama Lacks Political Courage, Judgement on Nov 1st,2008, Freedom’s Defence Fund on Oct 31,2008 and family Research Council; referring to an authority: Progressive Future, Warner—Cuts; answering the opposition: Bitter on Nov 3rd,2008; predicting the consequence: Polaroid on Nov 3rd,2008 and Slippery Slope; Telling the Fact: Delighted Nov 2nd,2008.
However, even using the same methods to persuade, we still can find the different styles of their style of campaign. Obama is mainly focus on his politic strategies of how to lead American to a progressive future. His ads mainly target at tax cut, national defence, health care and children education. They are specific and positive. However, John McCain spends 80% of his ads to attract Obama, from his spiritual leader to his family background. It seems if Obama doesn’t make any mistakes in his campaign, John McCain would have nothing to tell. We don’t see his own politic ideas clearly except his choice of his vice president Sarah Palin and his malnourished speech. It twists the purpose of his campaign of leading America or just defeating Obama.
Generally speaking, all politic persuasions are very similar: first they would pull out the deep fear in human’s heart but assuming a lot of fictitious enemies, for example China or Iran or any Muslim country. When people believed in them, they would stand out and act as a hero to save the public, act as a role of saviour. Second, they would use the greedy part in all human’s heart: I can make you rich by cutting your tax (don’t forget that’s my own money) or I can save your cost by give you more benefits.
So, the most useful weapon to win a campaign is the understating of human’s hearts.
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In this speech, “A More Perfect Union” , Obama attempts to clarify the reason of his church’s Pastor’s racial comments. As well, he explains how he’s bound to whites and blacks due to his family background. He starts by talking about the U.S.A. independence, the old slavery in U.S.A. and the equality stated in this nation's constitution. He uses four national flags as symbols. In addition, he tells the story of two of his campaign’s collaborators using the Plain Folks persuasive technique and repeats the words union and together using the Repetion and Group Dynamics techniques. However, his main used technique was The Race Card.
It’s obvious; “race” is an issue in this US presidential campaign. If Obama win this election, then he turns a new page in American history for that being the first black American president. So, how does he deal with this issue? In this speech,”A More Perfect Union” he made on March 18, he appealed to a union of different races in this country. He used the “Group Dynamics” language trying to build a sense of solidarity.
Searching for this speech, please go to www.video.google.com, then search” Obama speech”, there are lots of speeches.
The stakes in today's American election are incredibly high. Read the article to find out more about some of the ways people trying to influence the election result engage in dirty tricks. One example:
I identify three persuasive techniques from one election ad, Republican Majority Coalition – Dear Mr. Obama, not on purpose, but just recognize them.
The major images of this film are an American flag and a respected veteran from Iraq war with a prosthetic leg. The flag symbols the loyalty to the country. It reminds that every American should have this quality. The demobilized soldier conveyed a message beyond his words. Because he was there, lost his limb, he must know the “real” situation. His personal support to John McCain is a very persuasive argument to people. He also set up Obama’s argument as Iraq war is a mistake and disputed that people’s sacrifice is not a mistake. In this way, this film persuades people by making a connection between the loyalty to the country and the Republican government, and manipulates people’s feeling to against Barack Obama.
Other examples:
Example of Group Dynamics in “A Chance to Change the Game” by Barack Obama
Example of Repetition and Strength in “The War You're Not Reading About” by John McCain
--Conveying a message that American people can trust the Republican government in Iraq issue from many "for the first time".
"Celebrities, Yes" and "I'm [John McCain], and I approve this massage" are Symbols, the second one is used by Obama, too. "Obama's new taxes could break your family budget" is Maybe, and saying three times of "Obama's taxes" is Repetition. "Higher Taxes, Higher Gas prices, Economic Disaster" these words are Fear, and over all, this commercial is Scapegoating. The commercial is only focusing on Obama's higher taxes and doesn't tell any of McCain's tax plans. It is very simple and easy to understand, but personally, I would rather see positive commercials than negative ones.
Some people are saying that Wednesday will be a day where saving the front page of your newspaper would be a good idea. It will be an historic day.
the title is called "The Country I Love," on Obama campaign... He uses "strength" by speaking bold, and straightforwardly about himself to be a perfect next president. Also, he speaks firmly about cutting taxes for working families and help the country's needs, including health care, and help the poor neighbourhoods.
