COM204 Notes PDF

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COM 204 Notes with Josh Boyd. ...

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COM204 Notes Week 1: January 9, 2019 Key Terms  Critical/criticism: someone finding fault, pointing out a mistake, in 204, we treat it as careful attention and analysis. o Ex: Movie critics – sometimes do like a movie, still criticism though o Critical Approach: not accepting a message at face value  Ex: Urban legend, crisis, think about it and don’t think that’s a real thing. o Napoleon follower wants to hack off his other arm but only has one arm so can’t hack it off. o Barnet and Bedau’s (2002) Components of Critical Thinking  Imagination  Take different perspectives to understand a text  Analysis  breaking it down, judging it  Evaluation  Argument: Might associate with complaining, fighting, disagreement, in 204, we are talking about it as your complete course of reasoning. What you want and why. o Ex: Let’s get a Starbucks because there is one here.  Text: Speech, essay, novel, movie, song, TV, show, advertisement in print, or broadcast media, building, photograph, dialogue, stadium, sport, event, etc. any communication artifact we can study. o Take what he says to make an argument o If you read a novel or play and had to write an argument about it, the novel or play is text. o Reading the classroom  What are the different parts of this room?  How does this room work as a text?  What parts of the room would we look at?  Painting  People in it  The clock  The way seating is set up  Fire alarm  Critical observation of the classroom:  This room suggests that students need to focus entirely on whoever is standing at the front of the room, since the chairs are fixed that way and there are no plugs.  This room suggests that updated technology is necessary for learning.  This room suggests that décor is not an important consideration for college student learning.  Thesis: Take your full argument and condense it to one sentence. Week 2: January 14, 2019 Critical Claims: The Basics and Examples  Basic approaches to “reading a text” o Skim o Consider author o Consider context o Discern purpose o Evaluate  Credibility  Quality  Thoroughness  Basics of critical claims o A critical claim is a contestable statement about a text.

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Doesn’t mean controversial, does mean that it has to be theoretically possible for someone to make a different claim that is not in agreement with yours.  Not a fact  Tend to be opinions, a statement of your perspective on something o A critical claim doesn’t have to be controversial, but it also can’t be uncontestable (that is, a fact, something you could look up as a definitive fact). o A critical claim requires evidence to support it. o A critical claim is more than just a summary. Example: Duck for President o They do not use the right voting system.   This voting system assumes that voting is too hard for children to understand. o The book has some hard words and big numbers for children.   The vocab and numbers suggest that the book is intended to be funny for adults and not just children. o This book suggests that wanting public office, does not always mean someone would be good at public office. o Being in charge is harder than being a worker or a laborer   This book suggests that even though leadership comes with perks, it is actually more difficult than someone just taking orders. o This book suggests that people like to vote for the underdog in political elections. o This book suggests that recounts unnecessarily prolong election processes. o This book suggests that winning a political campaign is much more about your campaign style than your ideas. o This book suggests that political speeches are only intended to reinforce what people already think. More Examples of Text: Suva, Fiji, produce seller o This picture suggests that this woman is illiterate o This pictures suggests that this woman’s economic needs are more important than the law. Consider the upstairs Starbucks as a text. o This restaurant suggests that this area is not for socialization, but to grab and go. o This restaurant suggests that this Starbucks didn’t make a great choice in their trafficking area. o This restaurant suggests that people are highly suggestable when it comes to snack food items. o This restaurant suggests that college students need caffeine, since it is located in an academic building. o This suggests that Starbucks is a category killer type of product because it can support so many outlets. o This restaurant suggests that since it looks new, the building it is in is new too. Remember that critical claims require… o Imagination o Analysis o Evaluation Two more claim-making ideas… o Definitions  Universal? One-sided? Focusing on certain aspects but not others?  Example: “family values”  This politician’s speech seems to define family values as…  “This text relies on a definition of X as… o Assumptions  Unexamined beliefs  Unstated but evident  “This text assumes…” Other places to find critical claims o Logos/pathos  Car commercial  Tells about miles, rpm, or focuses on emotions o Rationalizations  A reason that is bad and self-serving  What you tell yourself to do what you know you shouldn’t do

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Definitions Assumptions (unexamined beliefs) Quality and representativeness of examples Reliability of evidence  Text assumes that its audience is not very knowledgeable/is knowledgeable Soundness  Truth  Validity  All Purdue Professors are women Josh Boyd is a Purdue professor. Therefore, Josh Boyd is a woman. o Valid but False=Unsound  All Purdue students are intelligent Taylor is a Purdue student Therefore, Taylor will get an A in COM 204 o Possibly True, but Not Valid, just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you’re going to get an A in COM Week 2: January 16, 2019

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Captain Obvious and the Moral of the Story o Almost what everyone would take away from the story  Write down the moral of the story Write a critical claim about the text o [Name of text] suggests/assumes_____.  Turn in your 2 best claims at the end of recitation FRIDAY  Helps keep your claim about the TEXT  Helps avoid summary Practice o This cartoon suggests that men who wear bow ties are weak o This cartoon suggests that appropriate tie uniform/attire is necessary for leadership. Critical Claim #1: Speech Text – The Explosion of the Space Shuttle o President Reagan’s speech suggests that although you may have professional experience in a field, unexpected things can still happen. o President Reagan’s speech suggests that people of importance, such as astronauts, or people in general, are not recognized with high importance until they are dead. o President Reagan’s speech suggests that a camera that is zoomed in creates a more personal, serious, and emotional feeling, rather than being zoomed out. o President Reagan’s speech suggests that humans derive more comfort and reassurance from people of superiority and power. o President Reagan’s speech suggests that family pictures in the background of a video can create a more sentimental, empathetic atmosphere. o President Reagan’s speech suggests that a black suit and tie are the appropriate clothing choice for addressing sad news. o President Reagan’s speech suggests that those that die doing what they love are those that die with honor. Critical Claim #4: Cartoon Text – “Do you really care or are you just being a good listener?” o This cartoon suggests that even when there is no one near you, you can still not be heard. o This cartoon suggests that the couple in this photo are not close, or possibly on one of their first dates. o This cartoon suggests that women are the most common to engage in and continue conversation, while men are more of the listeners. Critical Claim #6: Show Text – Modern Family o This show suggests that children utilize reverse psychology to try to get what they want. o This show suggests that mothers are more in-tuned to their children’s emotions and wants than fathers are. o This show suggests that the older, sleazy, men that hit on younger women are foreigners. o This show suggests that people who are not knowledgeable do not make or promote good choices.

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o This show suggests that the older men who go after younger girls do not have stable jobs. Critical Claim #7: Comedy Text – Best Volleyball locks Ever with Scott Sterling o This comedy suggests that people tend to subject one person to all of the pain or hardships, rather than spread it throughout the team. o This comedy suggests that sports fans are insensitive to the opposite team. o This comedic video suggests that it takes hard-work, pain, and sacrifice in order to reach your goals. o This video suggests that the referee and medical team do not really care about their athletes. o This video suggests that those that are the most sacrificed or used are the ones that receive the most support. o This video suggests that people use others in order to gain their own happiness. o This video suggests that although you are aware of someone’s pain, you can act blind to it. o This video suggests that sports MC’s derive pleasure from athletes getting hurt. o This video suggests that sports MC’s promote anything that creates interest in a game, whether it be good or bad. Critical Claim #8: Old Spice Commercial o This commercial suggests that in order to be a man, you must smell good. o This commercial suggests that men who smell good tend to have more money. o This commercial suggests that men who wear feminine scents are not considered a man. o This commercial suggests that African American men are considered to be more manly men. COM Recitation - January 18, 2019

Martin Luther King’s Last Speech  Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech suggests that the oppression that African American’s face is only met by African Americans and not by other minority groups.  Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech suggests that religion is a driving force in helping to convince audiences to follow you.  Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech suggests that leaders are more likely to be listened to and followed if they have experience in the topic that they are knowledgeable about. The Family Book  This book assumes that all families are pretty predictable.  This book suggests that children understand the complexity of family.  This book suggests that shorter sentences can convey deeper meanings. Resilience  This article suggests that all students are the same.  This article suggests that mental health still has a stigma within society.  This article suggests that mental illness is not something to be ashamed of.  This article suggests that we still do not have much knowledge about mental illness.  This article defines mental illness as emotional distress and "troubled” students. COM Lecture - January 23, 2019 

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Evaluating your own critical claim… o Does it make sense? o Is it more than just summary? o Is it accurate or true to the text? o Is it supportable from within the text? o IS it more than what any casual observer would take away?  Avoid “moral of the story.”  Avoid “Captain Obvious.” Good critical claims o The Old Spice ad suggests that modern aesthetic standards for masculinity consists of sexual attractiveness, wealth, and social status. o This advertisement suggests that women shop for their significant others’ hygiene products.

The comedy sketch assumes that in order to be honored in a sport one must make a physical sacrifice. Ronald Reagan’s address on the space shuttle Challenger defines a pioneer as one who exhibits bravery in exploring, discovering, and expanding human potential from the world. Money Talks! o Whose face is on the nickel? Thomas Jefferson o Whose face is on the dime? Roosevelt o Whose face is on the $10 bill? Hamilton o Whose face is on the $20 bill? Jackson o What is centered on the back of the $1 bill? One Money Critical Claim o These coins suggest that America values historical figures. o These coins suggest that o o

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COM Lecture - January 28, 2019 Using APA Documentation  Most common documentation system  ON PAPER  APA has some basic rules o APA prioritizes last name of author and year of publication o Abbreviated reference in the text must be connected to a full citation in the reference list. o Give credit for all words and ideas not your own o Put direct quotations in quotation marks  In-text citations give immediate and abbreviated credit. o Standard: (Author, Date) o Quotation: (Author, Date, p. #)  If there is a page number to use, use the page number o Multiple authors: (Author & Author, Date) or (Author, Author, & Author, Date) o If information I sin the content of the sentence, it doesn’t need to be repeated in the parenthesis.  If you mention an author’s name, you don’t have to cite it  Karissa Conrad (2018) recommended…. “COM2014 is incredible (p.12) o End punctuation for the sentence follows the in-text citation (Conrad, 2018)  Reference lists give delayed but complete credit. o Use italics for book, journal, newspaper, and magazine titles o Use the “&” instead of “and” between authors’ names.  Brohm, J., & Painter, M. (2017). o Be careful with capitalization! o Use initials only for first and middle names. o Title the reference list: References  Centered o Type and double space the reference list o Use hanging indentation  Doe, J. (2016). This isn’t my real name. Identity Management, 24, 134-151  OWL APA o Use to do the assignment due on Wednesday, typed, on paper, in class o A book chapter o Article in journal  Article in periodicals  Online with DOI o Newspaper article o Proper noun in the title, you keep it capital Writing Maxims

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Your writing competes for people’s attention. Your writing reflects your competence. Your writing must be understood instantly. Most Common Mistakes Apostrophe o Possessive pronouns never take apostrophes (his, her, its, their). o Contractions involving pronouns always take apostrophes (you’re, it’s, they’re) Problems with “myself” o NOT a polite first-person reference o Reflexive pronoun o Examples  Sometimes I talk to myself.  When I saw the buffet, I helped myself.  I did it myself.  Always follows an I or a ME Semicolons o Don’t use them. o If you must, use the me to join two closely related independent clauses.  September 11th for Americans will always be unlike other days; it is the December 7th of a new generation. Spelling o Accelerator o Calamity o Cauliflower o Deceive o Karosine o Magazine o Parallel o Penitentiuary o Picnicking o Sandwich Editing: obtain different perspectives o Wait a while after writing before you proofread. o Ask someone else to proofread your work. o Listen to what you have written -- read it slowly out loud. COM Lecture – February 4, 2019

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Example Text – Anti-Drug Ad & How to Read it o Costume o Setting o Words on the screen o What he says Thesis Samples… o “Moral of the story” (3 potential): This add suggests that children should not abuse prescription drugs. o Ok (3/4 potential): This ad portrays drug dealers as vicious, insecure, strung-out manipulators. o GOOD (4/5 potential): This ad, supposedly a public service message, also serves to shift blame for the drug problem away from the federal government. Two options for structure (either/or, not both): o Organize by subtopics  Shifts blame away from government  Shifts blame away from drug dealers  Seems to blame parents o Organize by parts of the text  The setting of the video shift blame by…

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The drug dealer’s words shift blame by… The captions on the screen shift blame by…

Rhetoric  Rhetoric is the strategic use of symbols o “Symbols” most commonly include language o Inseparable from “substance”  Rhetoric is the way we use symbols o Reflects specific choices toward a specific audience and purpose  Cough or yawn can be rhetorical depending on the situation. o Almost any text (and even many actions) can be considered “rhetorical”  Brief history of ancient rhetoric o Sophists  Gorgias  Mercenary - didn’t care about right or wrong, had no moral restraints  2500 years ago, Ancient Greece  They were not picky about who they worked for, they worked for money.  Helen of Troy: why she wouldn’t be held at fault, defended someone who seemed to be indefensible  Creating a national holiday for Hitler o John Adams  Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.  Sophists, good at getting their way, manipulative o Plato  Rhetoric isn’t right o Aristotle  Student of Plato  There are some redeeming qualities to rhetoric  Wrote a textbook on how to do rhetoric appropriately.  The single most influential in rhetoric o Cicero  Put Greek things and put Roman on it  Three things necessary to use rhetoric well  Talent/intelligence  Training  Practice  Five canons of rhetoric  Invention  Arrangement  Style  Memory  Delivery o Augustine  First Christina rhetorician who wrote about rhetoric  Augustine felt like the good rhetorician needed wisdom  There are things that you should think of, that you should not do  There are things that are possible for you to do, that you should not pursue  You shouldn’t overdo style o Religion  Religion placed value on words.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” o John 1:1 (NIV)  Preserving the physical texts

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Middle Ages, there wasn’t a lot of literacy, not a lot of texts around, the people who did, tended to be people who were part of different religious orders. o They would recopy what they had in their libraries o The only reason why we have these ancient texts today because of the people who recopied texts

Some rhetorical devices o Metonymy: “the White House,” “Ma Bell,” “Brown”  Using one thing to stand for the entire thing  “the White House announced something” o It is the symbol of the whole executive branch of the government o Chiasmus: a reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases that creates new meaning.  Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.  Never let a fool kiss you, or a kiss fool you.  A, B, cross with B, A Week 4 – February 6, 2019 Chiasmus o 3: Find a chiasmus  give us your source.  Chiasmus.com o 4-5: Find & Write your own.  Has to create new meaning.  BAD EXAMPLE: I am not only a Purdue student, I am also a student at Purdue. o 4: Find & Use models, put your own word in the blanks  I try to manage my ____, but my _____ manages me. (time)  I want to control my ____, but my ____ seem to control me. (expenses) Plato o Pop quiz, print out notes to use.  1. What is the name of the larger work by Plato from which “the allegory of the cave” is taken?  The Republic  2. In the reading, who tells the story of the cave?  Socrates (represents plato’s p  3. What game do people play in the cave?  C. Naming shadows  4. What are the people in the cave wearing around their necks?  Chains  5. True or False: The Cave argues that people who are enlightened after leaving the cave should never return to the cave.  False o Plato  Born 2500 years ago  Socrates – Plato’s teacher  Socrates – Plato – Aristotle - Alexander the great  Plato is writing all of the lines, not a transcript.  Make Socrates look brilliant and Gorgias look stupid.  Socratic Method: using questions in order to move people into better understanding.  Pooling knowledge means you can get to better conclusions and better judgements.  Dialogue/Dialectic  Dialogue – literary genre that he uses for his writing  Dialectic – method of reaching the truth o Similar to Socratic Method o Plato thought that Dialectic is superior to Rhetoric o Plato – using words will always fall short when trying to describe something Plato Story o Inside the cave  Allegory: any story that has a secondary meaning behind the...