Comparitive Rhetorical Analysis

               The issue which I plan on discussing in my comparative rhetorical analysis is that college athletes are currently not being paid for their athletic involvement.  Many people believe that athletes should be compensated for their performances, while others believe that the athletes should not receive any money from the college.  I chose this topic because I do not have a strong opinion regarding the issue, which will allow me to be impartial when attempting to analyze the media’s portrayal of this particular subject.  Although I do not have much of an opinion, the issue is still very much alive and continues to be brought up today.  This means that there are various different sources communicating their own message regarding the issue.  There are really only three options for opinions on this issue: The medium either supports paying athletes, does not want athletes to be paid, or has no clear opinion.  Information and opinions about paying college athletes are readily available from many medium, including twitter, local news stations, sports networks, and newspapers.  I believe that some of these sources will include arguments strongly supporting compensation for college athletes, particularly the sports networks, whereas others, possibly the newspapers or news stations, may lean the opposite direction (or be impartial) on this issue.  I am able to come to these conclusions because of audience to which these media are presenting their information to.  The sports networks are knowledgeable that much of their audience supports athletes, across the board.  On the other hand, newspaper or local and national news stations are much more likely to be more fair and unbiased in order to maintain a positive reputation.  Any taking of sides may be seen as unprofessional, so therefore could be costly in these forms of media.  Twitter could present and argue the issue of paying college athletes in many different ways.  The exact viewpoint is strongly dependent on the user who posts or tweets about the issue.  Generally, the people who really want the change enacted, are the most outspoken and supported.  For this reason, I suspect many of the twitter posts relating to the subject will be in favor of paying college athletes, although I do believe there will be some who would like to resist the change.  Additionally, many athletes (who would likely supporting compensation for college athletes) have large following bases which can lead to a greater exigence or drive to write the post.

Rhetorical Analysis of "Why Women Aren't Welcome on the Internet"

Amanda Hess, the author of “Why Women Aren’t Welcome on the Internet” has a very strong and concerning reason to be writing this article.  The exigence, or drive to write, for this article is quite clearly the threats which Hess has received from various and anonymous internet users.  She lists and describes these appalling threats to make it clear what her exact purpose is, in writing the article.  The vulgar threats are listed, strategically, to appeal to the reader’s sense of fear.  Hess is sure to mention the great effects that the threats have on her life.  The reader would not want to receive any threats similar to what Hess received, therefore, Hess is able to put the reader in her shoes.  It is important to note that the author consistently mentions her and her colleague’s jobs to establish a sense of authority and credibility.  If any random person was receiving these threats, it is unlikely that the reader would be too incredibly concerned, but since the threats are affecting people’s jobs and livelihoods, the reader feels the need to react with some level of concern.  Even though Hess is able to create a sense of authority, she still makes it clear that she needs help.  In a way, she is begging for other people to make a difference, realizing that her attempts are futile.  Her begging and pleading is clear in her voice.  She ends the article mentioning that her files are neatly organized, but her anxieties are not.  This shows that she believe she has done everything possible.  Now, she believes, it is someone else’s turn to take action.  Although the article specifically mentions these threats being against women, it is clear that Hess is trying to get her message out to everyone.  In fact, it is likely that men are her primary audience because she is relying on them to make changes and allow women to have a greater voice in the resulting actions or punishments following these threats.  Hess lists many statistics showing, among other things, how rarely men receive threatening messages, in comparison to women.  This is another good example of the author establishing herself and backing up her points with solid statistics and reason.  Overall, Hess does a good job presenting the argument, but ultimately she leaves the reader with a problem and few solutions for the problem.        

Analysis of The Loneliness of the Interconnected

Charles Seife, the author of this article, is able to convey a strong message throughout this text.  He writes to teach the reader that people hold onto their beliefs with a firm grasp and most attempts to challenge these beliefs only strengthen the original beliefs.  Seife continues to discuss the influence of the internet on people’s beliefs and how a lack of isolation can lead people to think that their belief is, in fact, the truth.  Throughout these arguments, the author is able to use many examples and statistics to back up and prove the information he presents.  The examples are, at first, introduced and detailed, then subsequently related to the argument which was stated.  For example, the fictitious disease Morgellons was defined for the reader and then Seife was able to dissect the situation and prove that the Morgellons case was an example of how people can influence each other’s beliefs.  The progression of this particular case was detailed in the reading to show how people’s and group’s perceptions were changed over time.  Later in the article, the author lists many different groups of people who hold unique set of ideals and beliefs.  This list, which includes groups that would be considered extremist by many, is used very effectively to prove that almost any belief can be expanded through the internet or other forms of interaction.  Also, these examples add validity to the statement previously mentioned that when multiple people share a belief, the belief is strengthened.  Without these repetitive and informative examples, it is unlikely that the reader would be able to grasp the ideas which are brought forth in the article.  These examples come from history, which has already happened and had an effect, which is a useful way for the author to prove that people are strengthening their beliefs, rather than challenging them.