In Class: Free Write

For this free write I think i will start off with how my Thanksgiving went. Because my family is in California I was not able to celebrate the holiday with them. Prices for an airline ticket were well over 500 dollars and since I'll be home in December I decided to stay in Fort Worth. Since everyone else at the school had decided to leave, it was a very boring Thanksgiving. I did a lot of tv watching, internet surfing, and running. I think this was the first time in a while when I was glad Monday was here.

Now that school's back in session its time to get focused and finish up the semester. Once that is done, I will be moving back home to California and leaving Texas for good. I plan on going to San Diego state, a school that costs a fraction of TCU's tuition and is much better in almost every way.

Unit 3 Proposal

The issue that we have chosen for this project is publishing unnecessary and inappropriate details about one’s personal life through facebook. Overuse of facebook has many negative effects on incoming college freshman which include being a distraction to academics among other things. Regarding this topic, we think that incoming freshman to TCU should be advised to limit what they share publicly on their facebook. Additionally, they need to be made aware that information they believed to be private can be seen by anyone, including their future professors and employers.

Our target audience for this particular issue is incoming TCU freshman, with facebook accounts, that have just graduated from high school. Our audience will be made up of both males and females ranging in age from seventeen to eighteen. Focusing in on TCU freshman, most of the audience members will be from middle to upper class families.

Our first medium will be an article in the Skiff discussing the dangers of facebook to incoming freshman and advice from more experienced, older students. Second, we are going to create a flier which would be handed out during new student orientation. The flier will include a general example of what an inappropriate facebook page looks like for incoming freshman. For our final medium for this argument, we decided to have a short video that could be shown to incoming freshmen during orientation as a warning about overusing Facebook.

In Class: Last night's reading

In last night's reading, I read about how visual arguments can be made. The reading talked mostly about advertisements and how they capture peoples' attention. Visuals made with color for example, can appeal to emotion (the color red tends to draw people to it). Different types of visuals have different effects. In the book, the same argument was made in three different ways, one was textual, one had graphics, and one was a list. It showed how each one has strengths. The reading also described how pie charts and graphs are useful when making arguments. People like to look at them over normal text and they can keep a reader entertained.
For this project, this reading was very helpful. It showed lots of examples of things that we will probably be doing in our arguments about facebook.

In Class: Reading Assignment

In last nights reading I learned different ways to make any argument. There are plenty of options to choose from, for example, you can use a metaphor, simile, and others to make your point. From what I understood, the reading from last night focused mainly on how to connect with your audience and how not to alienate them with certain language. It talked about when to be formal and when to use humor to make your point. The book used examples to show which one is appropriate for different situations. Other things that I got out of last night's reading was the names people are given. For example, his airness.

Job Title

For Unit 3, my group and I decided that I would take the role of writing and editing. I believe my official title was something like "The Mark Twain of Group Awesomeness." However strange my title may be, I am mostly responsible for the bulk of the writing that will occur for this project and will help in editing as well. I took up this role because I am not the most creative person and I feel that I can write and edit well enough. Being in charge of some of the writing will help my group function more efficiently because people skilled at creative aspects of the project will not have to worry about what they need to write. Although we do not know our topic yet, I think I would also like to be in charge of part of the visual argument that my group makes. I feel that I can put together a good appeal to pathos with attention grabbing pictures and videos.

My other group members are Ashley Freel Kelly Putterman, and Alan Townsend. Ashley is our creative thinker, Kelly is our note taker and Alan's job has yet to be decided. As we choose our topic, I am sure that we will each pick up other jobs that coincide with out subject.

In Class: An Ideal Group Situation

In the past, I haven't always had the best groups to work with. Usually, there is at least one person who doesn't pull their weight, and almost always, not everyone sees eye to eye. Thinking of an ideal group then, I would want everyone to be excited and motivated about the topic so we could work as a cohesive unit. I would be nice if everyone knew their roles, doing things that are their strengths. An ideal group would have each person who knows how to write, and formulate a good argument (this never happens).

In Class: Primary Sources

My topic for the rhetorical analysis essay is Liverpool Football Club's buyout by John Henry and New England Sports Ventures. Because this event happend in the United Kingdom, the majority of the articles and blogs were non American. This made it extremely hard in finding good, long pieces to analyze. With much difficulty, I was able to find three primary sources that were good enough to write about. Two out of the three sources that I chose were a challenge to analyze because most of the information, albeit discriptive, was facts and quotations from British news agencies. Only one writer commented enough on the topic, and that author was someone who supported and knew about Liverpool long before the sale took place.Trying to write a rhetorical analysis on authors who show no signs of interest in the topic is more difficult, but I tried to use this in a positive way. By showing their lack of knowledge on the topic, I was able to write how ineffective they were as writers.

Unit 2 proposal

For my unit 2 proposal I decided to write about New England Sports Ventures takeover of Liverpool fc from the now owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. I chose this topic because it is happening right now and there should be plenty of primary sources available. There is also a very big debate going on due to the fact that American owners will be replaced by more Americans. People are worried that the new owners will run the club into the ground like the previous ones did. My primary sources will come mostly from news organizations like Fox Soccer and BBC America but I also intend to use first hand accounts from blogs. Because the event is happening right now, it shouldn't be too difficult distinguishing between primary and secondary sources; I expect almost everything to be primary.

I chose this topic because Liverpool fc is my favorite team and it seemed like a good topic which will have a variety of different styled sources. It should be interesting to look at an American writer's perspective over that of a British one due to the fact that many Brits want nothing to do with American owners and Americans haven't firmly grasped the concept of the values and passions of soccer in England.

In Class: First Paragraph

You walk to the door of The Flying Saucer, a big green door meets you, old looking with a feel of history. As you open it you notice a sign stating, "This building is history, anyone that touches it is part of history." Walking in you are immediately hit with a smell of the bathroom. You notice it's 15 feet in front of you and you wonder why they would put a bathroom in the front entrance. But this distraction dies down quickly as you take a right into the main restaurant and see a welcoming sight. Dark woods and warm colors fill the room, the walls are accented by hundreds of golden plates. The sofa and chairs look calming and inviting. On the far side of the room is the bar, there must be at least 50 different beers on tap.

In Class: Peer workshops

Over the years I have had the opportunity of experiencing peer workshops in my English classes. They never seem to be very beneficial though, usually because my papers are about a subject for an intended audience. The peers think they know something about the topic (their usually wrong) and like to give their opinions on it. Rarely do they actually help structure my essay or give me advise in a positive manner. I would much rather prefer meeting with the teacher to discuss positives and weaknesses in my papers. Their input seems to be much more beneficial to the revising process. The only thing that I can think of that is good about the peer workshops is that they sometimes catch things that I miss and the more readers the better.

In Class: peer observation notes

After reading the peer reviews I realized that I missed a few things when observing my space. I never mentioned anything about the outside appearance of the bar. I did say it was in downtown Fort Worth but that is not descriptive enough. I also need to make note of the rhetorical appeal that the smells, color, and general atmosphere has. What emotions do these things arouse, do they show Pathos, Logos, or Ethos.  On the other hand, things that I thought were interesting that my peers observed were how crowded it got on a Tuesday at 5. Also, something else that was pointed out was that I wasn't asked for my ID on the weekdays but there was a bouncer at the door on Saturday. Does this infer that they don't care very much who orders a drink during the week? I Feel that I did a pretty thorough job observing The Flying Saucer but after reading the peer observation notes I realize that I did miss a couple important things.

In Class: Observing The Saucer

I made it to the Flying Saucer only three times, but what I observed was tremendous. For the most part, my expectations were met, I observed what I thought I would observe. However, there were things that I didn't really expect to take place that did.

Starting with what I did expect to observe would have to be people drinking beer and I saw plenty of it. The majority were drinking darker colored microbrewed or imported beers and very few had large domestics like bud light or coors light. I also expected and did see a larger crowd on the weekend compared to on the weekdays. I knew there weren't going to be very many people in at 2 in the afternoon (everyones working) while the bar would be full at 10 at night on a Saturday.

Then there were things that I did not expect to observe but did and things that I had never noticed prior to sitting and just watching. During the day when there were only around 10 people in The Saucer I happened to see two people reading books, and about five of the people were alone. I also noticed that all the servers were women and the bartender was very knowledgeable about the beers they had.

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos of my Public Space

After going to my public space a few times this week I have begun to realize the amount of information that you can get while sitting back and observing. I have ethos, pathos, and logos appeals that will help strengthen my paper while giving the reader a better sense and feel of the area that I am trying to describe.

Ethos: The credibility of a restaurant is huge. If you have it, people will come from miles around to eat and drink there. On the other hand, if you have no credibility, you are probably closing down soon. The Flying Saucer is "cool" because it is different than other bars and restaurants. It is set in a pub style with quality items rather than ones that serve for one purpose, and that would be to get you drunk. The bartenders are very knowledgeable when it comes to these drinks. They know over 200 different beers and do a good job choosing the right one for the right person if the situation arises. Also, the fact that there are so many saucers (those who have drank over 200 different beers) with peoples names on the walls shows that they come back over and over again to have a good time.

Pathos: The Flying Saucer's appeal to emotion might be different for some people. To me, the feeling that I get when walking in is a sense of comfort and welcoming. The colors are not shouting, but rather inviting. There are comfy couches and seats that might belong in a home. If you are not in that type of mood then you can go outside where there is a life band playing on the weekends. Music is a great emotional appeal especially when you know the songs.

Logos: If you were to look at the numbers, you could say that The Flying Saucer is one of the few bars in Fort Worth that serves such a high number of beers. Something that I did before I first knew of  the bar was look at reviews online from those who had previously been. With a really good rating, this helped in my decision to try it out. Lastly, you can make the argument that if you like to try beers from around the country and around the world then you will like The Flying Saucer. This might be a little debatable but I see it more as using reason and common sense than making an assumption.

In Class: Logos

The artifact that i brought in today that represents logos is the stats and awards of baseball player Albert Pujols. I decided to choose Albert because I feel you can make a case of him being the best player in current baseball and possibly one of the best of all time by looking at his numbers. All the facts are layed out on a paper easy to understand, this way you can compare him to known greats like Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and a few others. There is no disputing the evidence that Pujols has hit 30 homeruns and batted over 300 for the ten seasons he has played professional ball. What may be in dispute could be if he will continue his exceptional playing ability as long as those in the past. The statistics sheet of Albert Pujols is a clear example of logos, it shows the facts, and the facts say he is one of the best.

Unit 1 Proposal

The place that I am choosing to write about is The Flying Saucer in downtown Fort Worth. The Flying Saucer is a bar and restaurant thats claim to fame would have to be that they have hundreds of beers with probably fifty on tap. They also have a system where you can buy a card to keep track of every different type of beer you drink and at the end (I think after you drink something like 150 different beers) you receive a saucer with your name engraved on it for your accomplishments. I'll have to try this some day when I can afford it.

I am choosing this location for a couple of reasons. First, it's located in down town where I know a lot of people like to go and second, every time I have been there it's been enjoyable. It should be interesting looking at the bar from a different perspective and while not drinking. The Flying Saucer is also appealing to me because it's a little different than your typical bar or restaurant. It has more of a pub style setting which I prefer over something more traditional like some of the bars around the TCU campus.

Having been there before I expect to find older adults and less college students. Having only been on weekdays however, I am curious to see how much the crowd differs on the weekends and also how much the time of day comes into play. I wonder if a lot of people come here to view sports games or if there is a special night where drinks are cheaper (maybe that will bring in a different demographic). I am not sure if someone like me is the intended audience. Most college students probably can not afford spending 30 dollars on drinks too often and plus it's  hard for me as well as I'd imagine other TCU students to get back to the apartments, houses, or dorms due to the fact that the bar is downtown. Therefore, the intended audience is probably people in the their mid to late twenties who live in the area and appreciate quality beer.

My only preconceived notions are that people who go to bars at night go to get drunk. I rarely pay attention to others when I am out with my friends so I am not sure if that is true. Other thoughts have I already have about my location is that everyone that goes there orders beer, and good beer at that. I will have to observe well and try to stay removed from the tempting quench of a delicious beer to analyze my public place effectively.

In Class: Ethos artifact

The artifact that I chose to bring in today that represents ethos is a picture of Aristotle. I chose this picture because I wanted to pick someone who has credibility and authority. Aristotle is a good match because he was one, if not the first to coin ethos, pathos, and logos for making logical argument. He also was a famous philosopher who was taught by Plato and who taught Alexander the Great. The Greek teacher shaped the foundation of early physical science and physics as well.

I can't really think of any other person better suited to make an argument based on character and credibility. Even after more than 2000 years, he is still as credible as when he was alive. The picture of him shows a man who is prestigious and proud, a man that knows what he is talking about.

In Class: pathos in a public place

Although I am still not quite sure where my public space will be, I am leaning towards Sundance square. Using pathos in this place should be quite easy due to the amount of different shops, restaurants, and bars. I feel that the area evokes positive emotions, many of the people walking around are happy and upbeat. Sitting in the balcony of the Flying Saucer will probably show this the most. I imagine people drinking and having a good time. Plus it's probably a place where some go time after time and has nostalgic emotion.

In class: Liverpool fc, pathos

I chose the Liverpool football scarf because it makes a very emotional appeal to me as well as many people who follow English soccer. Anytime that I see a jersey or scarf of my team it has an affect on my emotions, a jersey from a rival team does the same, but in a negative way. I feel that English teams have much more passion than any US team whether it be football, baseball, or basketball. Anyone that has been to a game or seen Liverpool play on the television knows exactly what I am talking about. 45,000 fans singing as loud as they can "You'll never walk alone" is about as emotional as it gets when it comes to sports. This is probably why I think the scarf makes such an emotional appeal.

If you take a closer look at the scarf you will see some trademark Liverpool logos. The Liverpool FC crest has the two eternal flames, one for the Heysel disaster and one for the Hilsborough Disaster. Liverpool FC on one side and the reds on the other. Very Emotional

Analyzing arguments in the media

Here are five different types of arguments and how they pertain to the BP commercial.

Argument to inform: BP is informing the viewers of everything that they are doing in the gulf coast region that we might not be aware of. The specific information helps people realize the efforts and money that the oil company is putting into the region. Iris Cross states that there are "19 centers in 4 states" and has made 120,000 claims with a 20 billion dollar fund. She has done a good job in informing me as well as others the steps BP is taking to fix the problems.

Argument about the past, present, and future: Iris Cross talks about how she is from the Gulf Coast and how she will remain in the region regardless of the outcome because it is her home. She also says that BP will not leave until they see no more oil and have cleaned it all up. Whether or not Ms. Cross is being honest about her situation is up in the air but I do believe that BP will not leave until the job is done, it doesn't seem like the public would allow anything less.

Argument to convince: Iris and BP try to convince the viewer that BP is a giving and caring company. However, I don't think very many people buy this. If they were a caring company then they would have never let it happen in the first place. On the other hand, the commercial is also saying that BP is committed to the oil cleanup. I do believe this because as I said before, I don't think they have much of a choice but to clean up their mess.

Invitational argument: Iris Cross's job is to listen to those who were and still are effected by the oil spill. The commercial also lists a telephone number and a link to the claims section on the BP website.

Rogerian Argument: Throughout the commercial Iris tries to find a common ground with her viewers. She seems sympathetic and caring. She states multiple times that she is from New Orleans and her family still lives there. Furthermore, the ad is trying to evoke a sense of trust in BP to make it out like they aren't some evil company who's destroying the world. On a more personal level, Iris is seen talking to fisherman, restaurant owners, and families to give a feeling of assurance and the hope to find a common ground.

In Class: Choosing a public place

My first thought when getting to choose a public place was one back in California or possibly Anfield stadium where Liverpool Football Club plays. Living in Fort Worth however has canceled out those ideas. Since I am new to the area I don't have many places that I know well. I think I will have to drive around and observe a spot of my liking, perhaps something like the zoo, a park, shop, restaurant, or perhaps somewhere on the TCU campus. The downtown area might be a good idea because of the variety of people that visit. It would seem like during the day you might have one crowd where as at night or on the weekend there might be a different crowd. Sitting on the balcony of The Flying Saucer and observing Sundance Square seems like a good vantage point.

In Class: Back to School

The first week back to school has been an experience. The last time I went to school was nearly two years ago. It's amazing how much you forget in a two year gap! For example, the last time I took a hard math class was junior year of high school back in 2005. Five years later I am in Pre Calculus and I can barely remember the basics. Taking five classes is slightly overwhelming with the majority not being lower division GE's. Plus with the move from California to Texas, the first week has been made a little more challenging. Not having a close support base to go to when you have a problem with a class or just need a little comforting is strange. Even with my prior school I knew many people and had relatives not far away. All I can hope for is the next week of school is a little more easier and relaxed than the first.

Intro Writing Assignment

My name is David Bussen, and this is the first time I have ever written a blog. Let me start with the basics, I am from a city in Southern California called Temecula. When I am finished with school I hope to one day end up back in California. It's very hard leaving the ocean, mountains, deserts, and some of the most amazing people I know but I am confident that this is the right path. This is my second school that I have attended and my third year in college. I previously went to Humboldt State located way up in the north tip of California in a county called Humboldt. During my time there I played soccer for the school team and decided to declare my major as business. Knowing that TCU had an excellent program I transferred schools and now here I am.

My goals for this writing course is to leave a better writer than when I first came in. Knowing the proper techniques and articulations of writing is a very important quality to have in business and I hope to improve upon them. I feel somewhat anxious to be writing in a proper sense again since I have not had a writing class for a few years. Facebook, emailing, etc. have probably gotten me into a bad habit or style of writing.

I think my blog is making an argument of how much better California is than other states. The culture, terrain, and people make for such a good argument. I am very proud and passionate Californian. Other arguments that can say something about me as a blog author is I don't like anything too flashy. No color fonts, links or songs. If you could see my facebook account you would see that it is minimalistic.

I understand, have read, and agree to the terms of  the syllabus.