Assignment #11

Question: What does the composer assume the audience knows or believes?

I think that Stein assumes that the audience knows the basics of computers, the Super Bowl and advertisements. I do not know if this article could exist without this basic knowledge of these subjects. Stein starts out the article with this quote: "...it was a defining moment, not only of the heralded computer revolution but also of what has become out media landscape..." (Stein 279). I think that is is a writerly choice of sorts because an author must assume that the audience has some basic knowledge of everyday items.

Question: When is an audience likely to encounter the text? How might this shape their responses?

The audience is mostly likely to encounter this article in an academic setting. I think especially on research into computers and/or advertising. There really is no specific example that fits in my opinion. I think this hurts Stein though because most of my classmates were confused on the wording and how it is very dry.

Question: How does the composer end? How will the end affect how the audience looks back on the rest of the composition?

Stein ends like an academic would, with a conclusion. I think she attempts to sum up her argument, but I think she leaves the audience more confused than satisfied. For example: "This analysis has suggested that in understanding the rhetorical constitution of the audience through ideological codes used to construct the narrative we can begin to fathom how commodity techno-discourses work in our lives" (Stein 299). I am confused typing it out!!

I think that Stein is an amazing writer, but her attention to such detail leaves the audience so confused that it makes no sense. It has been over a month with this article and I do not think that I still fully understand it! I keep trying, but it does not seem that it will happen anytime soon. I think this is why I have chosen to keep this essay out of my portfolio.

[Group work] Reflection

We were working together because that was the assignment. However when it came to the drawing, we split the work to make it easier on us. We work really well together, there were no issues. His ideas were very solid and based in the texts. He helped me work out a few things I did not understand.

I was shocked to find Regan next to the Terminator on the 5th one-pager. I understand why, but still seems a bit odd. I think their question was: how did this effect the current government? or something to that effect. I think that the answer to this question is that I could only imagine how the people thought of the government after these movies that the ads are loosely based on. It was a terrifying time to most Americans.

I liked how the 6th one-pager showed different parts of the ad. I'm pretty sure their question was "What was Stein's view?" I think her view was that this ad changed the outlook of the computer race, but also changed the way Americans look at many other things like politics.

I think this still leaves me confused on why Stein wrote such great detail in an article on an ad from 1984. Does it really matter what this ad really meant? That's kind of like saying me analyzing the "What's up" Budweiser commercials from the late 1990's.

My CP: How does Stein use the history of Apple to support her thoughts on the impact of the ad.

Assignment #10

My two questions are: Why does Stein use so many movies to explain the Apple ad? Why does Stein go into specific detail?

Stein takes a 1984 Apple ad and goes into great detail explaining every bit of it, including the history of Apple and the effects that the ad had on pop culture after it aired. Stein breaks down the ad and uses popular movies and books to interpret the images in the ad. She also uses the work of various famous philosophers to interpret the meaning behind certain parts of the ad.

I think Stein wanted to research this ad to prove that even 60 seconds can change the world. By doing this, I think she was trying to convince the readers that this ad could be responsible for the modern world in a weird way. For example: "[the "1984" Apple ad] turned the Super Bowl into an advertising event for new campaigns..." (Stein 290)

Assignment #9

I see myself engaging the most with just the general public, but maybe more specifically people who are on the border of accepting Taxidermy as an everyday life activity and not a taboo culture. "They are normal humans, nothing like what the media make them out to be. In class we talked about a spot where Orlean takes a taxidermists statement and makes the person sound weird" (Modlinski 2). I try to use Orlean's writing to persuade my readers to believe that taxidermy is not as taboo as most people think it is. "They are normal humans, nothing like what the media make them out to be. In class we talked about a spot where Orlean takes a taxidermists statement and makes the person sound weird" (2). I think my experiences with taxidermy helps me try to get my point across. For example: "I immediately was connected to this because of my childhood experiences. In my opinion, she captured those moments perfectly" (1). I think ethical dimension of communication to me means that you try to broaden your reader's experience with your writing. For example, I try to use my experiences around taxidermy to change the reader's opinion on the subject. I will try to add more of these thoughts into my next revision of this paper. 

Assignment #8

I found it interesting that the class was fairly new to taxidermy. The authors I read knew about it, but did not experience it like I have. I thought their thoughts on the article provide me with a different insight. This is a major departure from my take on this article. I take the point of someone who grew up around taxidermy. I think the writing styles are pretty similar though. I hope to continue a different point of view as well as my view.

My audience for Sedaris was one that I thought had probably been in an airport at least once. So naturally I figured that it is easy to relate my feelings to the audience. However, with "Lifelike" I took the stance that most of my audience probably has had no experience with taxidermy and probably takes it as a taboo subject. My tone is informative. I try to relate my experiences to the audience as best as I can.

Assignment #7

Why does Orlean choose to use the seminars in the article? Is it a good idea?

Why does Orlean include the history of taxidermy? Was it a good idea?

The thought that Orlean choose to include the seminars in the article is an interesting thought. The seminars are about how to perform certain procedures on the taxidermy-ed animals. They did not directly involve anything to do with the competition itself. I think Orlean was trying to add to the fact that there was more to do at the competition than just the competition. You can learn more about your profession, if you're a taxidermist, but if you are not a taxidermist, you can still learn how they conduct their profession. It makes the championship sound more like an attract to the general public more than just a boring and taboo competition.

The thought that Orlean includes the history of taxidermy in the article is also an interesting thought. The average reader of The New Yorker would probably not know much about the world of taxidermy besides the common thought of taboo. In general, an author should include some history of the subject that they are covering. It is a good practice if you want to be a good writer. However, I do find it extremely interesting that Orlean includes everything including the websites. I think she realizes that if the reader decides that they want more correct information about taxidermy, they could easily access it through the websites.

Assignment 6: Choices

One major thing to me is the fact that Orlean included the history of the websites she mentions throughout the article. "...and three thousand visits to Taxidermy.net every day, where taxidermists can trade information and goods with as little self-consciousness as you find on a knitting Web site:" (Orlean 3) This is interesting because the fact that there is taxidermy websites does not matter to the championships and should not effect the reader's thought on the championships. The fact that she continues to use it throughout the article is interesting too. I wonder why she thought that the reader would care about a website, especially in 2003!! I, myself, looked up the site, but I was curious because I grew up around taxidermy. I think the time period she wrote this in probably lead her to believe the reader might look it up because the Internet was still fairly new to the majority of the world.

I had mentioned this in class, but the fact that she turns to the feelings of the taxidermists themselves is interesting. "The taxidermists take the competition very seriously." (Orlean 4)I think it is very important that Orlean includes this thought. One can assume that the taxidermists take the competition seriously, but it reinforces the idea into the reader's mind. I realized during class that the majority of the general public, does not like the idea of taxidermy as trophies, none the less as museum pieces. If this was say American Idol, would everyone thoughts be the same? I think the majority of the general public would say that they like it. However, if you talked to any musician, they will tell you it is the dumbest thing on earth. Do the contestants of American Idol take the competition seriously? I would hope so, or why are you on the show in the first place? So my thought is: if you do not like the subject, does it make it wrong or stupid? To you, it might. But to the taxidermists would think otherwise. I think Orlean realized this and the fact that she added it to the article, is very important! This definitely adds to the dedication that is shown with the mention of the websites and the next choice, the seminars.

I find it also very interesting that Orlean adds the information about the seminars. I think that this is more important to the article than the thoughts on the various websites on taxidermy. "In the seminars, the atmosphere was as sober and exacting as a tax-law colloquium. 'Wiskers,' one of the instructors said to the group, giving them a stern look. 'I pull them out. I label them..." (5) I think that Orlean adding the thoughts about the seminars adds almost a attraction feel to the championships. I feel that maybe the next time that they are held, that more people will show up not only because of the mounts that are entered into the competition, but as to maybe hear the seminars and attend the various other activities. Orlean paints a picture that provides an event that anyone could attend if they feel like they might have an interest in the championships.

Work Cited:
Orlean, Susan. "Lifelike." The New Yorker 9 June, 2003. Online.