"Profiles in Courage" by John F. Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy is one of the most iconic presidents in American history. Being the youngest president ever elected, his enthusiastic and energetic image is one that will live on forever in the minds of Americans. There was one quality that Kennedy revered the most: courage. He believed that, in a world of politics where pressures are heavier than any other, the courage to both stand strong and to compromise is most admirable. Due to this, he authored a book about certain characters in American political history that have demonstrated outstanding courage. He begins the book with an extremely resonating introduction to the truths and myths of politics, and then divulges into the lives of six of the most courageous senators in his eyes. It is through historical anecdotes and an academic tone, which ultimately add credibility and interest to his writing.

Kennedy describes politicians that are from very different time periods, who were involved in an extremely wide variety of decisions. To aid his discussion of courage, he utilizes interesting historical anecdotes about the senators. For example, Kennedy begins the section on John Quincy Adams with a story about a letter he received from a Federalist to demonstrate the political tensions. The primary source letter was included, along with Adams's own opinion in writing. By doing this, Kennedy is telling the story through history itself, rather than acting simply as an outside observer. The following sections are then dispersed with primary sources and quotes to allow the audience to follow along in an attention-grabbing and illustrative manner.

Throughout the book, Kennedy sticks with this academic style. He will offer an argument, and then utilize the immense amount of political documents that are at his disposal. This strengthens his points greatly, and it is a very refreshing writing style for a man of such political prominence. Many politicians in the current realm often get away with blank rhetoric; using style and drawing to emotions rather than relying on the cold hard facts. For a politician to write about other politicians, this could very well have been the avenue that Profiles in Courage went down. However, by developing and maintaining such an academic tone, Kennedy is successful in not only teaching his audience but persuading them as well.

From the very beginning, it was clear that Profiles in Courage would be very hard to put down. The interesting anecdotal information as well as the overall tone is what makes it so special, and what allows Kennedy to be so effective. As I venture further into the creativity and amazing writing of the former president, I will be on the lookout for more rhetorical devices that aid his purpose of displaying the courage of his subjects.

"Bad News"- Rick Mckee

The mainstream media has become a huge component of our society. Whenever an issue arises, the public looks to their favorite news station to provide them with the information they desire. Many have a tendency to open their ears and eyes wholeheartedly, and believe whatever they are told. News stations want to be the first to report, and therefore are often inaccurate in their premature broadcasts. In lieu of the recent Boston crisis, Rick Mckee's cartoon sheds light upon this precarious relationship that the media has with its public. In the piece, Mckee uses contradictory diction and satirical tone to portray the fallacies of news networks.

The cartoon features an anchor reading the news to an onlooking American audience. Under the man, the words are written that would appear on his teleprompter. "In an exclusive, sources tell us that a suspect has been arrested and also that no suspects have been arrested and also that police have no suspects, and in fact, none of this may be true... But you heard it here first!" The man's words are clearly contradictory. He seems to report multiple stories about the suspects, with each of the following stories disproving the former. Mckee uses this diction to represent the institution of news as a whole. Every source seems to fight for the audience's attention, and in the process presents news that is wholly untrue. The final sentence also paints an air of satire into the cartoon. The anchor basically admits that he is reporting news that is completely untrue, however it is okay because their viewers heard it first. The news reporter is portrayed to be unintelligent and naive, for the entire purpose of his job is to report accurate news. Mckee points out the problem with news stations by poking fun at their tendencies. Through this contradictory diction and satirical tone, Mckee offers a successfully resonating and reflecting piece about the mainstream news.

"Don't Get Bitten by Bitcoins"- James J. Angel

Everything the world does revolves around money. It is subjected to regulation, taxation and inflation by the government. What if there were a currency that was not? Bitcoin was founded with this vision. It is an attempt at creating an online currency. If you have been paying attention in the news lately, this has become quite a controversial idea. As more and more people decide either in favor or against Bitcoin, James Angel writes in hopes of persuading people to take the latter stance and avoid the usage of Bitcoin.

Angel utilizes rhetorical questions and historical analogies to aid his organization and strengthen the claim that people should stay away from Bitcoin. He begins with a short summary, synthesizing the mass of information that is available pertaining to Bitcoin. To begin the transition into his argument, he asks "Why not turn to Bitcoins?" Many people are wary of the government controlling their money, so this is a valid question to ask. His explanation addresses his opposition. A second rhetorical question strengthens his assertions by taking a stronger stance: "So are Bitcoins the currency of the future? I think not." By utilizing these rhetorical questions, Angel is able to successfully transition his piece from objectivity to acknowledgement to argument.

Bitcoins are a unique item; there have not been very many things like it in history. Therefore, connecting it to a well-known idea allows the audience to connect the novel idea to something already in their memory. "...Printing more almost worthless money, as the U.S. did in the American Revolution and Robert Mugabe did in Zimbabwe. One can expect governments to throw up legal roadblocks to prevent such competition from cutting into the lucrative business of printing money." Angel draws connections to the future of Bitcoins and the past American Revolution and Zimbabwe economic plunders. The future implications that Bitcoins will have are unknown, and this draws negative assumptions through the possibility of repeating bad habits. Angel successfully warns people from entering into a company with such an ambiguous future. 

If Bitcoins becomes very successful, the world as we know it would change drastically. Our monetary system has remained alive because of governmental assistance and monitoring. Through effective rhetoric, James Angel successfully argues that we must prevent this from occurring.  

Need a Job? Invent It - Thomas Friedman

In every school, there are teachers and students. The education system is one that is discussed heavily. A person’s education is a large determinant of how they will develop as both a person and a worker. It is very important that, every once in a while, we stop to ask is our education system truly working? New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman asserts that, in most cases, the answer is no. He utilizes rhetorical questions and alliteration to aid his argument.

In the article, Friedman touches upon a variety of topics. In ineffective writing, this would be hard to follow and understand. Rhetorical questions are used to solve this dilemma. When transitioning into different topics, Friedman writes, “So what should be the focus of education reform today?” and “What does that mean for teachers and principles?” These rhetorical questions assist in transitioning into the different topics being discussed. They allow the audience to follow along with Friedman’s thought process and connect his latter points with the former ones.

Alliteration is used to classify the items that Friedman argues are most important in a reimagined classroom. He writes that “play, passion, and purpose” must be vital parts of this installment. This phrase flows extremely well and causes his main message to be very resonating. It is very important that the reader remembers those three ideas, and utilizing alliteration ensures that that is the case. Friedman presents some groundbreaking ideas concerning the amendment of American education. Rhetorical questions and alliteration ultimately aid his purpose and create a sound, persuasive argument. 

Pope Francis, humble, authentic and credible

A momentous occasion took place when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was selected to be the next pope of the Catholic Church. He is from Argentina, and the first pope ever to be from a South American country. Of course, as with any position of such reverence, many people were skeptical when Bergoglio assumed the role. Does he have what it takes? In this article, Christopher Bellitto attempts to persuade his audience that he does.

In order to do this, it is vital that Bellitto addresses the cynicism that surrounds the situation. Not only does this provide context, but it also sets up his counter argument. Religious allusions are used effectively throughout the piece. At the end he writes, “ For too long, the people in the pews have felt distanced from their priests, bishops and the Vatican. That is not the gospel of love and service that Jesus preached. Yet it is precisely the gospel that Francis of Assissi and Ignatius Loyola learned from Jesus and shared with the world in word and deed.” Similar references are made throughout the article and Bellitto pulls them together with this final sentence. Bergoglio chose his Pope name to be Francis. Francis is a very charitable and renowned figure from the bible. Considering that the audience is mainly Christians, using this strengthens Bellitto’s perspective by connecting the new pope with a prominent and revered religious figure. In a time when many people are skeptical of their new pope, Christopher Bellitto successfully persuades otherwise largely due to recurring religious allusions. 

Marriage Discrimination, A Cartoon by Steve Sack

Gay marriage has been and will continue to be a heated topic of debate. Supporters feel that it is a simple matter of equality, while others say that marriage must be between a man and a woman. This argument seems to be one that is constantly repeated, adapted, and repeated again. Recently, many states decided to resolve the matter. This past election, many citizens of Idaho hoped that they would become yet another state to do so. This effort was unsuccessful. This cartoon, created by Steve Sack, depicts the predicament that Idaho currently faces. Sack uses parallelism and humor to convey his message.

The caption on the right of the cartoon reads, "Equality to our North! Equality to our South! Equality East and West! Holy Matrimony, We're Surrounded!!!" This caption utilizes anaphora with its repeated use of "Equality" at the beginning of the sentences. This ultimately creates the image the equality is everywhere.... except in Idaho, of course. This style of repetition allows this message to be felt the strongest because in only three short sentences, the Idaho resident realizes that he or she is literally surrounded from all sides with equality. It also begs the question, "If everywhere else, why not here?" The last sentence uses humor. "Holy matrimony" is used as an indicator of the policymakers surprise, but it is also a term that is used to represent the institution of marriage that is causing the commotion. In the context of how it is used, the policymakers are portrayed as childish and immature. This adds legitimacy to the supporters' argument by degrading their opposition, and may be intended to sway the majority in their direction.

Steve Sack created this cartoon with many things in mind. The boiling situation in Idaho has left many people upset. This cartoon portrays the scenario that policymakers face who are responsible for quelling this conflict. It is ultimately due to Sack's use of parallelism and humor that strengthen the effectiveness of his message.

"Eyeing Apple"

In most contemporary conversations that involve technology, Apple is a common discussion topic. The company has risen to international prevalence over the last decade. Generally, its market status has agreed with this trend. Recently, however, its stocks have taken quite the plunge (35% since September). Not surprisingly, this turn has left stockholders and investors in a panic. A company that used to be characterized by reverence and stability is now getting wary reactions from the people that matter most. Jakes Surowiecki, an author for The New Yorker, quells these fears in his piece entitled “Eyeing Apple.” Surowiecki accomplishes this goal through a variety of rhetorical devices including cause and effect and metaphor.

Apple’s downward plunge is effectively explained through a cause and effect description. Uniquely, the article begins by describing the effect. The piece begins by detailing the stock depreciation and responses from outside sources. The switch to the explanation of the cause is noted by the rhetorical question “So why the sudden fall from grace?” The article then details the circumstances that have caused the depreciations. A metaphor towards the end of the article is extremely effective in resolving the fears of Apple’s recent downward spiral. “It’s always been the proverbial bumblebee: it shouldn’t be able to fly but it does. A wobble in flight is all it takes for people to proclaim its inevitable crash.”Surowiecki compares the history of Apple to a bumblebee. One small error in a bumblebee’s flight does not necessarily indicate crash, just as Apple’s downward trend does not indicate its death. Putting the company in this perspective is largely what makes the piece effective in accomplishing its intended goal.