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My ad is a Nike ad. It is set in motion...like running in the rain in the big city. The 'backdrop' is a picture of large buildings fading into the distance with the shoe in the forefront. The shoe is brightly colored, and the splash of the step shows well in the advertisment.
This ad is in Women's Health. I do think it is appropriate for this magazine, as it would be for any fitness magazine. The ad is targeting anybody that is into fitness, but it has a 'spark' to it that would make anyone take a second look whether or not they are into fitness. It makes you feel like you could be there...the big city and the 'hustle and bustle' that comes with it.

Elements of an Effective Layout

This article really helped "break down" the ad and understand it a little better.
The informal balance in this ad is well reflected by using excitement to grab attention. This is balanced well formally also in that the ad is easy to read, understand, and make judgements based solely on the picture. There aren't many words in my ad. There is a pleasing impression that is made when you look at this ad, and it makes you feel like you could be there. The emphasis is great as well...the color scheme and the size of the shoe set in the forefront with the city being the background.
I don't know that this article will make me think differently about advertising...although maybe for a short while I will?
Funny you should mention Walt Disney World...I used to work there. It was very common to see all the characters without their heads on. :)

Democracy of Goods

The analytical tool being used here, or the main idea, is to express how using everyday, ordinary products can make you feel like you are 'top of the rank' or make you feel like you 'belong' in a place that seems out of reach. I believe this is still being used today when considering advertisement for most products. Of course, advertisers want to make their product more appealing, but perhaps the most appealing to people is something that is flashy and a 'money saver'. These products typically get more consumers.
This analytical tool applies to my ad of choice...it is flashy and makes the reader feel like they could place themselves there (in the big city). It shows many sides of the product and makes the reader feel comfortable.
This ad is for shoes.

Advertising

I have seen/heard lots of commercials that use humor to grab the attention of the audience. I have also seen lots of commercials that are so dumb, it's ridiculous. Although they are dumb, they do their job by grabbing your attention. I think its funny that you know immediately what a commercial is for based on characters...Progressive, Sonic, etc.
I think there are lots of commercials that don't really make any sense. Some of them are difficult to determine what they are advertising. Of course, these commercials are not effective to me. I don't know that I have ever turned the station because of a particular commercial. I don't recall ever having the urge to try something based solely on a commercial either. Maybe I have?

Persuasive Essay Summary

Nashville, Tennessee is the best place to take a vacation.

The hospitality that welcomes you in Tennessee is unmatched by any other state. Citizens here go above expectations to make you feel welcome and enjoy your vacation. The easy feeling you get when you are in Nashville is incredible. It is so easy to relax and ‘let loose’.  Whether you like country music and want to explore its roots, or just want to get away, Tennessee is the place to go.

Perhaps the greatest aspect of Nashville is the atmosphere and the overall spirit of the city. The

downtown area is very inviting. The vibe that you get when you walk around and the feeling of

relaxation and enjoyment are incredible.

Style

Write with nouns and verbs: I probably don't do this enough. I use a lot of adjectives and adverbs. Maybe I am writing with nouns and verbs, but it seems like I don't.

Do not overwrite: I often find my work to have excessive wording. I don't necessarily do this to feel the joy of my fingers running over the keys like the book suggests.

Avoid the use of qualifiers: I also find myself doing this sometimes.

Use orthodox spelling: This is a no brainer.

Do not construct ackward adverbs: This is also a no brainer.

Avoid fancy words: While I do not generally use fancy words, I do find myself ending sentences with prepositions and having difficulties judging when to use 'that'.

Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity: This is a no brainer.

Avoid foreign languages: No brainer

Effective Argument

Martin Luther King uses a tone in which the clergymen and the ones responsible for putting him and his followers in jail, cannot ignore. He calls them out on many occassions of the past using "famous" people as examples of how the country should be and how things were resolved in earlier years. The clergymen obviously did King and his followers wrong. King is forward and to the point, but he also makes the men think about the wrongs that they have done by putting King in jail.
King uses several fallacies in his letter, including begging the questions, name calling, rationalization, and oversimplification. He also uses several examples of the 3 appeals: logos, ethos, and pathos. These examples are illustrated throughout the entire passage.
His letter was effective. Sound arguments were made throughout the letter, and examples were also given.

I hope my paper will reflect some of these fallacies and appeals.

Fallacies

Oversimplification: The death penalty should be given as a sentence for all who commit a violent crime.
This statement fits in this category because the death penalty might be of question to some citizens. Although the death penalty is not likely to stop a criminal, perhaps it will at least make others think before they commit a crime.


Post hoc: The country went down the tubes after the election of President Obama.
The country was on a downward spiral even before Obama was elected, although, lots of people believe that he is the cause. Nobody could do a better job. Every President deals with the issues at hand when they are in office, no matter what the situation is. President Obama is handling the current healthcare issue, for example, in the best manner that he thinks is fit.


Rationalization: If I was not experiencing issues with the internet, I could have completed my assignment on time.
This statement shows rationalization because I am making excuses for not getting an assignment done. I may have had two weeks to finish, but I waited until last minute to complete it.

Topic

Nashville, TN is a great place to live. I have recently visited, and I am convinced now that it is awesome. There are numerous musical and bar experiences to discover...little "hole in the wall" places that have a wonderful atmosphere, whether you are a country music fan or just like to "hang out". Nashville has so many places and dives to visit. It is impossible to pick a favorite place. So much is going on all the time. Not to mention, the Titans football stadium is located just a few blocks from the "fun". Anyone who likes the Titans would love to be that close. The hospitality of everyone there is unmatched.

Argument

Recently, I was in a situation that was not looking good for me. It happened at work. A coworker and I sort of got into an argument about call. She was playing the "seniority card" on me, and unfortunately, she got her way. In my opinion, she always got her way, and it didn't matter who it upset or what the argument was. I do look back and wish I would have said some different things, but I know it would not have mattered.

Persuasive Essay

The hardest part for me is deciding on a topic. I still am unsure what to write about. If a more specific topic was given to me, and then I was told to write a paper to persuade a person one way or the other, I would do much better.

After a topic is selected, I will do pretty good at writing an essay. Until then, I am stumped.

Personal Narrative 3

This was a fun passage. I enjoyed reading it. The intro was nothing spectacular, and at first I was not really interested; however, as I continued to read the next several paragraphs, it began to hold my attention. I like the humor that was presented.

Personal Narrative 2

I think the author did a good job for the most part. I wasn't too entrigued by the introduction, but the rest of the essay kept my attention. I like how the author recalls his boyhood as if he is reliving it through his son's experiences. The events and sensory details allow the reader to become enveloped in the scene with the author.

Personal Narrative

I enjoyed this narrative. I think the author did a great job at grabbing and keeping my attention. There were several words that I didn't understand (French), but I understand his theory behind it to make the reader feel like they are there. All of the details were significant, and I feel like the author showed his character.

Sentence Variety

Sam got in her car, drove to the mall, went to the shoe store, and bought a pair of boots. While she was there, she also bought a shoeshine kit. Afterwards, she went to the food court where she bought a burrito that had onions and peppers on it. As Sam was eating the burrito, she saw a cute boy at the pretzel stand. The boy looked at Sam, and she blushed. Sam said hi when the boy walked over to her, but the boy wrinkled up his nose. Sam was confused, so she said hi again. The boy gagged and walked away, leaving Sam shocked. Sam ran to the bathroom crying when she realized she had bad breath. In the bathroom, Sam shined her new boots and put them on. She then walked out of the bathroom full of confidence. Sam found the boy and told him that he needed manners. She then kicked him with her new boots. As the boy fell to the ground, Sam walked away and out of the mall. 

Mechanics

The biggest problems I have when writting a paper are:
"use the active voice"... my sentences are lengthy and do not catch the reader's attention
"omit needless words"

Putting sentences together and keeping similar words together is an area in which I am fairly strong.

I will definitely be more aware of these issues when I write. Ususally as I revise a paper, I look for repetitive words and how my sentences are structured. Now my focus will be a little different.

Summary checklist

Ashley Thomas

8/31/11

Summary Checklist

1-2. In the essay, “College Pressures” by William Zinsser, the author illustrates the pressures that college students encounter on a day to day basis.

3.       These pressures include parental pressures, economic pressures, peer pressures, and self-induced pressures.

4.       The essay I am working on is similar in structure to the essay presented in the book. I am working on improvements.

5.       I think the thesis accurately describes the article. I haven’t made it through the conclusion yet.

6.       Grammar, punctuation, etc. is checked

7.       There are several sentences that begin the same way…room for improvement.

8.       I have avoided direct quotes.

9.       The essay is written in third person.

10.   Length and margins are set.

College Pressures

I haven't had to deal with too many pressures while in school. My parents are very supportive of the decisions that I have made, as well as my spouse. Really the only pressure I have had is the pressure that I put on myself to achieve higher goals. I don't worry so much about other students and how/what they are doing. I just focus on what I am doing and how to improve.
I deal with pressure pretty well. If I am stressed about a class or two, I will walk away for a few minutes to take a breather, if I can, and then start on my work again.

Difficult class

I have had a few difficult classes throughout my college years. I hated chemistry...I just couldn't get it. I had to take two semesters for my Associates in Biology.That was probably the worst class that I had to take. I also had to take a history II class. The class was packed full of information, although it wasn't hard. I think the biggest problem there was that I wasn't diggin' the class at all. I wasn't into it, so naturally it made the class harder.  Another one was a basic physics class for radiation therapy. I had to take classes online, and it was pretty hard for me to grasp the concepts. I passed the class, but I am glad that I don't have to take another one.

"keeping a notebook"

I agree that a notebook or journal is a way of keeping in touch, not necessarily with others, but with ourselves. I do not think that it is narcissistic. We all need a way to express our feelings and attitudes whether outwardly by speaking or by writing our thoughts. I do not keep a notebook, but I do have a facebook and twitter account. This allows me to talk with others and express how I am feeling, good or bad, with those that follow. I think that social media is allowing us to do the same thing that the author was doing while writing in her notebook. If people want to keep their thoughts private, of course they should not participate in social media. Overall, I think social media allows us to speak our thoughts and get feedback to the way we are feeling.

Who am I?

I am a pretty easy going and spontaneous person. I like to have fun and try new things. I have been married for 2 years, and my husband and I live in a small town in southwest Missouri. I would love to live in Dickson, Tennessee, and hopefully someday we will be able to move there.

Although I took approximately 6 months off for an internship at Walt Disney World in 2004, it seems like I have been going to school forever. I have an Associates Degree in Biology, Allied Health, and a certificate in Radiation Therapy.

I currently work as a radiation therapist, and I travel a little bit within the company. Unfortunately, I am only PRN. For several months, I have been looking for full time employment, but I have not had any luck.

I have had many great experiences in the past, and I am excited to see what the future holds.