Election Dirty Tricks

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:

"Complaints have surfaced in predominantly African-American neighborhoods of Philadelphia where fliers have circulated, warning voters they could be arrested at the polls if they had unpaid parking tickets or if they had criminal convictions."

Read more at 'Tis the season for tricking voters

Example of Symbols, Testimonial and Straw Man in Presidential General Election Ads

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".

John McCain: Tax Man Aug, 15, 2008, from Presidential General Election Ads

"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.

The "Quiet" Blog

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.

One of you questioned the assignment's focus on an American election. I argue that we will be profoundly affected no matter which way the election goes. As a Canadian, I need to remember that American policy affects me and that my country borders the USA. 

If you would rather (rather than look for persuasive techiques), make a comment on the upcoming election. Are you curious, interested? What do you think of the American way of campaigning? Will anything really change in America?

I await your responses as comments to this post. We'll have much to discuss on Tuesday, no doubt.

 

hello, brad...

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.

NOTE: To add a link, click on the link icon to the right the "T" and to left of the "left justify" icon. I've added a link for Esther. Be sure to give a good title to your post. You can re-edit anytime, unlike for comments. Brad

Videos from the Presidential Campaign (Finding Persuasive Techniques)

You could spend your whole time watching videos at these two sites. It shouldn't be too hard to find examples of the persuasive techniques from your handout. In fact, most of the videos use more than one!

Presidential General Election Ads: Obama vs. McCain
Note that the list of videos has a scroll bar on the right side of the box for viewing even more. If you find a video you'd like to share, make a comment to this post and give the video title so we can view it also.

C-Span Politics
Includes the most up-to-date videos from the election. Includes links to longer videos as well. There are examples of Testimonial here if you look!

The Week Ahead; The Week Behind

Last week’s paragraphs were a mixed bag: some better than others. The major problems are not (in most cases) grammar or spelling related. They are, instead, related to communicating clearly your thoughts on a complex piece of work and on your overall comprehension. Some students got bogged down in the “correct” answers (no doubt influenced by my teaching and secondary sources). Others showed more original thinking. To do well, do your own thinking.

Some of you are giving a “signal” before quoting the text and then going on to explain the significance of your quote. If you are, congratulations! I expect a ratio of at least 2 to 1 of original content to quote. Thus, if you quote 20 words, your signal (introduction to) and explanation (after the quote is used) ought to be 40 words or so.

Overquoting makes it harder to pick out your thoughts from those of the writing to which you refer. I also encourage those of you who paraphrase well, especially for factual matters that are not important to quote. Beware the tendency to tell me what a quote says and then hitting me with a quote that says the exact same thing! I’m much more interested in why you’ve chosen it, actually.

 Another area students could improve on is reading the question carefully. When I asked about a character and then specified that you look at “two actions” and what each one shows, some of you responded only to the beginning of the question, thus avoiding the requirements! 

 

This week, we’ll be looking closely at our current story, using a specific way of reading a text: writing annotations. We will also be working in groups to compare our annotated versions.

 I’ll be giving out some resources for writing good comparison/contrast paragraphs as Friday’s class will be more challenging than usual: writing paragraphs that compare and contrast stories we've studied.

After the break on Friday, I will give you a media-based assignment and resources to help you complete it. Your work will be posted to the blog. Since the American election will occur between our Friday and Wednesday classes, the media will be abuzz with information that we can discuss on November 5. It should be interesting!

To see an easy-to-follow example, check in the comments section below. It's on a story you may not have read, but can be read by any reader (as should your work!). 

Blogging Journal Questions for "A Spoiled Man"

Please answer one of the following questions for the story, "A Spoiled Man." Make your answer a comment to this post. Write between 150 and 200 words; provide your word count at the bottom of your paragraph(s). Please finish your work by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28.

1. Write about something you learned from the reading.

2. Write about something that surprised you, angered you, delighted you, or evoked any strong reaction as you were reading. Write about anything that stays on your mind after reading.

3. Write about the most effective things you notice in the writing.

4. What does the work mean and why do you think that?