Body Image via Magazine Ad

In my Proposing a Solution Essay, I discussed the issue of poor body image in young girls and women due to the medias presentation of female musicians. I chose mothers as my main audience because they are the ones who have the most influence over their daughters’ responses to articles and images in publicity magazines like People or Star. The solution to my argument was education, eating well and regular fitness. I targeted mothers for this paper but chose the media to target in my presentation of the rhetorical version. The media I chose to represent my argument was a magazine advertisement to be featured in a magazine like Star or People, which are the examples I discussed in my paper. I thought it would be very persuasive to illustrate the progression of beauty through the ages. I chose famous paintings and sculptures from 24000 BCE to the 1980’s to show how a beautiful woman has shifted from a voluptuous fertility goddess to a withering away artificial depiction of Lindsay Lohan. I feel that art reflects the general opinion of people during the time period and a way a woman is pictured represents the purpose of the painting and the skill level of an artist. Therefore, art is a good tool for measuring the standard of women during the time period. I placed the art in timeline format to show the evolution of beauty and in the bottom portion of my ad included a letter. The letter is from the women of America to the media. This is a more personal way to address the issue as well as show who is being affected by the glorified images. I kept the design simple and elegant to appeal to a variety of audiences yet grab the attention of those at stake. Overall, I feel that both mothers and the media are responsible to foster a positive body image.

Body Image and Music Videos

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/press_office/media/media624.shtml

In this article, a University of Sussex research team found that young girls from the age of 12-19 are psychologically effected by the use of too thin models in music videos. Two groups were selected to watch the music video and then listen to the song and were then asked questions to learn of their self esteem levels. The conclusion made by the researchers was that all girls, previously with or without body issues, felt significantly worse after seeing the music video rather than just hearing the music. In order to eliminate poor body image due to visuals, a healthy body image developed from home is key. It is very important for mothers to tell their daughters both that the mother is beautiful and smart and the daughter is as well. Simple comments such as "My hair looks good today" can boost self esteem. Saying phrases like this aloud is much better for a girl to learn from than "My butt looks fat in these jeans." Children mimic their parents so when the mother has a positive body image and shows the daughter this at a young age it will translate into a healthy body image in the future. I feel that my mom did a very good job promoting a good body image for me. She always told me I looked great, no matter what and my mom always let me dress myself yet I wasn't allowed to wear certain things. I think that having a hold on what young girls can and can't wear shows girls how to present themselves and how to feel good about themselves. For instance, although Miley Cyrus has a good image in the public eye, I think the way she dresses is questionable, and all little girls strive to be Miley.

Here's the NY Times article.

Michiko Kakutani, in the New York Times article “A Woman’s Lot in Kabul, Lower than a House Cat’s,” reviewed the novel “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. Kakutani used persuasive devices to explain the story of the novel and give his general opinion.

One of the best persuasive devices he used was in explaining the difference between Hosseini’s previous novel, “The Kite Runner,” and his current novel. “The Kite Runner” was a huge success so reminding his audience that the author wrote that book as well adds credibility to his positive statements. Kakutani also explains the common themes among the two books and how some traits are similar between the characters. This lets the readers know that if they liked the concept of the first book they would most likely enjoy the second. A background on the author also adds to the evaluation. Whenever I love a book, I want to know more about the author’s perspective and if he has more published books. Another factor Kakutani uses in evaluating this book is explaining the character traits. This gives the reader an idea if they can relate to the characters in any way and also the situations that the characters are going through.

Although Kakutani did describe the characters I feel that he set them in a negative light, saying they were like that of fairy-tales. I have read both of these books and I felt that the characters were appropriately deep, considering both are introduced as children. I also feel that Kakutani gave away too many scenes in the novel and said they very melodramatic. I disagree with his negative tone about the novel yet I do feel that the criteria he used to analyze the novel were persuasive. If I had not read these books, I think his article would dissuade me to not read it because of his explanation of the characters and scenes. Otherwise, I highly recommend both “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns!”

In this article from Pitchfork.com, Lily Allen addresses the impacts that file sharing has made on her success in the music industry as well as her opinions of those who do participate in file sharing. She blogged and tweeted about her concerns and now the Featured Artists Coalition is meeting to determine their sole stance on file sharing. Lily Allen is doing a great job bringing attention to the issue of file sharing through vehicles like Twitter and Myspace. These sources are aimed at a younger generation, especially Myspace, so by expressing her opinions on it she may gather more attention from the youth that are engaging in file sharing. I also found it interesting that Allen hinted at quitting the music industry. She explained that she does not receive much profit from selling her music, so those who steal it even further hinder her success at this profession. I feel that many people forget that musicians do have a job to create music and Allen reminds her followers that she is a musician and this is her job. Ed O'Brien from Radiohead also added that educating those against file sharing is the first step and Lily Allen is helping address the fight.

The point of contention is simply that file sharing hinders the musician fiscally and morally. I feel that Lily Allen and Radiohead state their feelings truthfully and bluntly, and are definitely in the position to make the argument for they as musicians are feeling the effects of file sharing first handed. I also think that the Featured Artists Coalition is trying their best to find a unified stance on the issue on file-sharing in the British music industry.

Lily Allen Quits Piracy Debate, Possibly Quits Music Business As Well

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American Baby by Dave Matthews Band was released in 2005 during the time in which the United States was in the process of recovering from 9-11 as well as advancing technologically. The title American Baby appeals to pathos because so many people have pride in America or categorize themselves as American. This pride of anyone who was born in the US is what the title says, an American baby. 

One of the first scenes pictured in this video is a wind farm, most like somewhere in the Midwest. A wind farm is a symbol that is becoming synonymous with "going green" as well as representing sustainability, therefore this appeals to ethos. Dave Matthews Band clearly supports alternative forms of energy, a positive movement towards sustainability, through the use of wind farms so much that this is one of the first images in their video. 

The images shown in this video relate to any American in some way. The White House, a school classroom, farm fields, golf, as well as a church. These are American symbols of happiness and the norm of society. The lyrics of the this song, "If these walls came crumbling down, Fell so hard to make us lose our faith, From what's left you'd figure it out, Still make lemonade taste like a sunny day" emphasize that regardless of what changes or difficulties America is faced with, we would still encompass the core American values and remain America despite changes. These images appeal to pathos for nostalgia is felt for these familiar and happy times. 

Logos is mainly represented in this music video through the clips of Dave Matthews and his fellow band mates actively playing their instruments and singing. Showing the guitar strings, picking and drumming up close reveals that these men are indeed talented musicians. Therefore one can feel confident that their lyrics and music is genuine. 

Overall Dave Matthews Band's music video American Baby persuades the main audience that sustainability is a positive move towards a better future, that America can overcome any obstacle and remain true to it's values, and that Dave Matthews Band is a credible, original, musically talented band.