Angle of vision is a hard thing to think about when writing. Whether writing a paper or just an email, thinking about the angle of vision is necesarry. It is amazing how some authors, think about the angle of vision throughout their entire novels. They achieve a strong angle of vision by either leaving details excluded, or adding them into their works. The audience plays a huge part in which angle of vision a writer takes. If a writer is writing for a conservative editorial, they will take a very different angle than if they were writing for the New York Times. This technique is used a lot in the media, especially within the news world, when anchors report on stories. The news station determines what angle they are to take. Some details are downplayed and some are highlighted in order for the story to fit in with the beliefs of the audience. The most interesting thing about the angle of vision is that there is no correct one. Each writer has a different angle towards a subject based on their beliefs and values.
I find it very hard in an argument paper to take an angle of vision because many times teachers will critique for not showing the other side of the argument, or playing both sides. I think it is essential to have a good balance between hiding the contradicting details and underplaying them. The art of using the angle of vision is something that clearly needs to practiced in order to be effective.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Believing/Doubting
Arthur Miller's satirical piece "Get It Right. Privatize Executions." is clearly a critique of capital punishment. However, the ideas that Miller presents may actually have some validity.
Idea-Privatizing executions is a good idea
Believe- Miller presents some ideas that may make sense if executions were privatized. He mentions the fact that the executions would draw an audience, which could than lead to money for the state. He also brings up the fact that witnessing the executions of criminals would deter anyone else from thinking about committing crimes and would reward those who are honest. If murderers witnessed capital punishments daily, they may think twice before committing it. Miller references the idea that the criminal would than achieve a sense of purpose in life and may feel that they lived for the entertainment of others, rather than for nothing.
Doubt- The privatizing of executions would lead to more violence that is not necesarry. Children and families do not need to witness the murders of others because these images will be extrememly disturbing. If children grow up witnessing murders they will be much more prone to violence. As Miller wrote, the executions will become boring and people will continue to murder for excitement because they will no longer get the rush they needed from the private executions. Murderers are also not detered by seeeing acts of violence, because it takes a derranged person to take the life of someone else deliberatly. By witnessing an execution, many murderers would not think twice before committing a crime. More executions will also lead to the death of innocent people that may have been later released on new evidence after they have been accused. This practice would not prevent murder it would merely expose more to the idea of taking another's life.
Idea-Privatizing executions is a good idea
Believe- Miller presents some ideas that may make sense if executions were privatized. He mentions the fact that the executions would draw an audience, which could than lead to money for the state. He also brings up the fact that witnessing the executions of criminals would deter anyone else from thinking about committing crimes and would reward those who are honest. If murderers witnessed capital punishments daily, they may think twice before committing it. Miller references the idea that the criminal would than achieve a sense of purpose in life and may feel that they lived for the entertainment of others, rather than for nothing.
Doubt- The privatizing of executions would lead to more violence that is not necesarry. Children and families do not need to witness the murders of others because these images will be extrememly disturbing. If children grow up witnessing murders they will be much more prone to violence. As Miller wrote, the executions will become boring and people will continue to murder for excitement because they will no longer get the rush they needed from the private executions. Murderers are also not detered by seeeing acts of violence, because it takes a derranged person to take the life of someone else deliberatly. By witnessing an execution, many murderers would not think twice before committing a crime. More executions will also lead to the death of innocent people that may have been later released on new evidence after they have been accused. This practice would not prevent murder it would merely expose more to the idea of taking another's life.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Breeze Assignment
The article "Popular Drink Contains Risk" has a strong argument, as well as a solid thesis, that is compounded by the paragraphs that follow it. The article is trying to warn the JMU student population that the drink "Joose" may have many dangerous effects that students may not be aware of.
The thesis that Cory Kuklick, the writer of this article, uses appears in the first sentence and really focuses the message that Kuklick is trying to get across. Kuklick writes, "United Brands manufacturing has respelled "juice" to "Joose," and young adults are drinking it up, possibly ignoring the drink's dangerous effects. This sentence introduces the product that Kuklick is going to describe. It is also successful in setting up the idea that "Joose" has harmful effects to those who consume it.
The following paragraphs explain the effects of consuming this new alcoholic beverage. Kuklick displays significant evidence as to why "Joose"
may harm its drinkers. The caffeine in "Joose" is a major problem because the large amount of caffeine, nearly double that of Coca Cola, allows students to feel awake and alert, while they still may be extremely intoxicated. This could lead to alcohol poisoning because students will not realize how intoxicated they truly are. Kuklick quotes many people who have knowlege in the field of college drinking. He quotes Paige Hawkins, the director at the center for substance abuse education, Hawkins says,"Mixing caffeine and alcohol also doubles the likelihood of making destructive decisions, including vandalism and sexual assault." Another issue with the large amounts of caffeine is that those with heart problems maybe making themselves worse each time they consume "Joose," says Howley.
This article was very convincing and persuasive. It explains the detrimental side effects of drinking "Joose" and backs each claim up with a quote from a reliable source on the topic. Hopefully this article can help JMU students make the responsible choice and avoid this new and unsafe product.
The thesis that Cory Kuklick, the writer of this article, uses appears in the first sentence and really focuses the message that Kuklick is trying to get across. Kuklick writes, "United Brands manufacturing has respelled "juice" to "Joose," and young adults are drinking it up, possibly ignoring the drink's dangerous effects. This sentence introduces the product that Kuklick is going to describe. It is also successful in setting up the idea that "Joose" has harmful effects to those who consume it.
The following paragraphs explain the effects of consuming this new alcoholic beverage. Kuklick displays significant evidence as to why "Joose"
may harm its drinkers. The caffeine in "Joose" is a major problem because the large amount of caffeine, nearly double that of Coca Cola, allows students to feel awake and alert, while they still may be extremely intoxicated. This could lead to alcohol poisoning because students will not realize how intoxicated they truly are. Kuklick quotes many people who have knowlege in the field of college drinking. He quotes Paige Hawkins, the director at the center for substance abuse education, Hawkins says,"Mixing caffeine and alcohol also doubles the likelihood of making destructive decisions, including vandalism and sexual assault." Another issue with the large amounts of caffeine is that those with heart problems maybe making themselves worse each time they consume "Joose," says Howley.
This article was very convincing and persuasive. It explains the detrimental side effects of drinking "Joose" and backs each claim up with a quote from a reliable source on the topic. Hopefully this article can help JMU students make the responsible choice and avoid this new and unsafe product.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
About me
Hi, my name is Chris Purcell. I am from Massapequa, New York. Massapequa is about a forty-five minute train ride away from New York City. Because of its close proximity, I frequently visit the city with friends and family. I went to Massapequa High School and played on the tennis team there. In my spare time, i enjoy playing basketball, playing tennis, watching movies and going out with my friends. So far, I am very pleased with my choice of attending JMU. I am a finance major and hope to have the oppurtunity to study abroad. My favorite part of JMU is meeting new people all the time and I look forward to meeting many more as I go through the years at JMU.
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