A change of heart...

Wow, what an inspiration! This song has undoubtedly changed the hearts of dozens all around the world!!

English Symposium

The presentation that I attended was entitled ““A Revolutionary Act”: Investigating the Draw of Dystopia in Young Adult Literature”, and was given by Rachel Pullan.  In this presentation, she centered her main points on “Catching Fire”, written by Suzanne Collins.  Pullan talked about how the Hunger Games series is based in a dystopian society; one in which none of the adults seem willing to do anything to overcome the problems which plague them.  In the end, it is a young woman who sparks rebellion to change the path of this society.  This topic of literature can be found interesting to younger people because it is a relatable younger individual in the novel who is having a magnificent sociopolitical effect upon her entire country.  Also, the main character is not complacent, but is willing to go against common beliefs to help build a new world. Suzanne Collins

This definitely convinced me that I should buy this product! A beautiful display of Pathos and Logos in such a way that it captivates the soul! I could not have asked for a better way to enlighten my mind!

Connecting in the wrong places

   In our current times, a major shift has taken place; indeed, a cultural shift which affects you, me, and everyone in our country.  At a distressingly increasing rate, young people are setting their hearts on the secular things of the world, and abandoning their churches in numbers that have never before been seen.  As this trend continues to grow, it has been statistically seen that three in every four churchgoing youth are likely to leave their congregation and choose a life where they are no longer religiously obligated.  Young people receive the majority of their religious beliefs, as well as their religious motivation for church attendance, from their parents.  So, as one can accurately assume, these changes in attendance and devotion to their denominations most commonly occur in the late years of high school and the early years of college when the young people leave home for the first time.  Parents grow increasingly alarmed as the children who they have raised to hold benign values and continue to be gospel-loving individuals turn to new ways which embody unrighteousness (Nielson).  This growing issue which encompasses the hearts of many church goers with fear is being caused by a number of modern external and internal influences; namely influences from peers, a growing world of media, and a natural desire for rebellion.

Issues paper topic

For my issues paper I selected topic #1.  My current intention is to make the claim that youth are leaving the church in such great numbers because of negative social influences in their lives.  These influences come mainly from media, but also through their friends around them (who are also greatly affected by the media).  Ultimately, I will argue that it was after these new "controversial" themes in movies became introduced that young people began to become less inclined to attend church services.

First two pages of rhetorical analysis

The gut-wrenching internal struggle which individuals face when engaging a moral question can often be undeniably intense.  This conflict only becomes significantly magnified when that individual is of a firm religious background.  I know that this is a true incidence through my personal experiences.  When I was younger, I often felt that it was an undeniable necessity to bring forth punishments according to the Law of Moses (“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”).  However, throughout the years, I have been influenced by church teachings which deliver statements along the lines of “Ye have heard it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5: 38-39).  Through such teachings, my moral understanding has been altered and heightened, for I feel that this religious study has shaped my being in such a way that I now have the ability to grasp higher concepts.  Of course, religion is based around the field of Pathos, which the author uses in his article to almost force the reader to listen to his argument.  Along with this, he applies facts to his article which serve to strengthen his viewpoint and hit a more personal tone in his primary audience.  The author also preys upon a sense of guilt that might arise when considering the occurrence of Osama Bin Laden’s death.

Despite creating intense and difficult statements for many Americans to agree with, Patrick Clark creates a general argument which many would find difficult to disagree with.  The author first includes information that appeals to his primary audience.  He says “should we consider it anything more than a blind coincidence that this momentous attack was carried out on Divine Mercy Sunday?”  This may seem obscure to some readers, but for the intended audience of Catholics a point becomes struck home.  Divine Mercy Sunday was created by Pope John Paul II on the second Sunday of Easter in the year 2000.  Its purpose is to recognize and celebrate the divine mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The author makes this connection in order to draw out the thoughts and emotions associated with their memories of this holiday.  In doing this, he applies his argument to something that they are used to and generally have respect for.  This will help the thought of mercy to in the conscience of his audience.  This moral foundation is a way for Patrick Clark to effectively establish his position in such a way that it will be difficult for an argument to arise later in the paper.  

The conflict of justice and mercy

The article that I found the most persuasive and the most thought provoking was the Osama Bin Laden piece.  For this reason, I will be writing my rhetorical analysis paper on it.  While reading it, I found myself to be deeply conflicted, for while I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (so I have mercy-oriented morals), I am also a Patriot, and so I found that justice had been done in Osama’s death. 

            Overall, I still believe that the death of Osama Bin Laden was a completely necessary occurrence, but I do agree with the writer in the sense that we shouldn't celebrate death.  Part of me does desire to rejoice in his destruction, but I also know that I need to remember that he is still a child of God (despite making horrible choices and being a terrible person…).  These are the feelings which will make this piece enjoyable to analyze, for it will be forcing two of my passions to combat each other:  my deep love for the justice of America, and my desires to continually be like Christ.

            I feel like as I work on this paper that I will be able to find a good amount of weak points in his argument, as well as find areas where his own words can be used against him.  It seems like I will have an enjoyable time with this assignment, and I look forward to trying out different methods for analyzing this piece.