Monday, September 13, 2010

Chapter 2 Book Assignment

Exercise 2

Argument: cats are not better than dogs

Argument 1: Dogs are better than cats because of their ability to detect health problems in humans. A recent study by the MACH Foundation showed that dogs can detect cancer from breath samples with an accuracy "between 88% and 97%". The study was published in an article in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies.

Argument 2: Dogs are better than cats because they protect and save their owners. According to information from the Associated Press that was published on msnbc.com, dogs have used their intellect and instinct to save their owners from injury and death. One specific article mentions a dog that dialed 911 when its owner fell.

Exercise 4

President Obama recently compared America to a car, saying that the "D" for drive in a car represents the Democrats, and the "R" for reverse represents the Republicans. He made this argument to say that the Republicans are holding back progress and beneficial policies that the Democrats are attempting to get through Congress.

Test: The two sides are similar as political parties, just as they are both gears in a car in his analogy. In their dissimilarity, they are polar opposites when it comes to their political beliefs and agendas. Because they are so opposite in values, this analogy does nothing more than to state the obvious, that Democrats and Republicans don't get along.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Use of ethos, pathos and logos in Obama's speech on the end of the war in Iraq


President Obama on end of Iraq War

Ethos
            Constantly looking at audience, shows confidence and personal interaction
            Carefully chooses words, sits calmly, shows poise and calmness
            Speaks confidently, makes you believe he has a plan that will work
Pathos
Connects with those related to military members with talk about their service, completion of missions, sacrifices that were made
For those who worry about how Iraq will survive, he assures the audience that we will continue to cooperate with them and help them
Logos
            Talks about how times have changed, it is logical that our combat strategy should as well
Has a plan to remove many troops, but to keep some there to ensure Iraqi progress and safety, we don’t simply leave the Iraqi people alone
Mentions that attacks are significantly lower, elections that drew large turnouts, shows that Iraq is slowly developing and the situation is improving

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Five Syllogisms

Major premise: People can drink liquids.
Minor premise: Gatorade is a liquid.
Conclusion: People can drink Gatorade.

Major premise: I can wear clothing.
Minor premise: A shirt is clothing.
Conclusion: I can wear shirts.

Major premise: Fish need water to survive.
Minor premise: Nemo is a fish.
Conclusion: Nemo needs water to survive.

Major premise: Rubber does not conduct electricity.
Minor premise: Shoe soles are made of rubber.
Conclusion: Shoe soles do not conduct electricity.

Major premise: Exercise releases endorphins.
Minor premise: Running is a form of exercise.
Conclusion: Running releases endorphins.