Ann Richards was the Governor of Texas between 1991-1995. She passed away in 2006. When listening it becomes painful at first to realize this may very well be your grandmother talking. Upon first glance she appears to an oldy with a loud mouth. In reality, she was just that, a very active Democrat for her time in the party. But that loud mouth proved to be entertaining and rallying for her fellow Democrats. When listening, it isn't her tone, or any special manner of preparation. It's that she is a quick-wit speaker showing off her grace and charm, as an old Southern lady, with a sharp distaste for those in the opposing political party.
The main terms playing to Ann are her diction, warrant, and logos. She often related to her audience through some of the most regular means. In the linked video, she tells a story of how she was stoppd in an airport. A rather common thing, and it works for her. She is able to assume that people have been stopped and searched. I think it worked, because as she goes on the crowd's laugh grows. In her story there are some hooks on her "body suit" and this results in an awkward run in with a security worker and supervisor. Of course to her, it's a chance to let people know she's experiencing the same things regular Americans are.
Her diction, is perfect for her voice. An old southern accent decorates her rather plain and uninteresting voice, and accompanies her sarcasm. What would just as often turn people off, helps enhance the tools which she employs. Ann's story of the airport is full of saracastic remarks and humor that probably won't play too well with an audience adjusted to only the most grand of speakers.
I think the hardest part to come to terms with in her speech would fall under ethos. An appeal to the speaker herself. As shallow as it may be, in the latter part of career she looked old. A younger audience would generally be turned off by the thoughts of such a figure speaking in front of them. Her will sometimes be very boring, requiring the audience to hear the message. But once getting over her age and first glance boring appearance, she's a very funny speaker.
Ann Richards-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LA1dfHqLTc
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Thick England and It's Lesser Known Library
1. Of the selected readings from Writing and Place, which piece used thick description effectively? How? Be sure to incorporate a few quotes from the piece in your blog entry.
Out of the four picks for effective thick description, I believe they are all adequate, but find the piece about England to contain the most visual experience. Jamaica Kincaid tells us of her childhood and how important England was to her youth. She comments on how most of the things in her life were "Made in England" (101). Kincaid explains how adament the education of England was when she compares "This is England" to "This Jerusalem, the place you will go to when you die but only if you have been good" (101).
Kincaid notices some patterns about her life in her childhood. Her breakfast is English, her manners are English, and yet she has never been to England. The English way of life affects all that her family does. Her father was one who held the English way of life dear, that she believed a picture of an Englishman "caused him to wear the wrong hate for a hot climate most of his long life (102).
Eventually Jamaica Kincaid made it to England, and she did not like it a bit! England had been so scarred into her being that she did the best she could to reject it. When she visits with a friend, she finds everyone rude, but she says "I liked the conductor being rude; his behavior seemed quite appropriate" (107). Her vision of England is painted in the people. How everyone seems rude, is likely related to her bias against the country. And I think that the mention of people, helps further her dislike of the country, as she portrays them in a negative manner. She really wants nothing to do with it. Finally Kincaid visits the Cliffs of Dover, but only her to her disappointment. "And so there they were, the white cliffs, but they were not that pearly majestic thing I used to sing about..." (109). And finally she ends with how all her views of England "...should jump and die and disappear forever" (109).
The thick description on this piece is not so much the tangible world, but the description of her emotions and life. Throughout this piece I find it easy to envision her as a small child, and easier still to imagine within the loathing she feels of what was once supposed to be where she belonged
2. Comment on effective (or ineffective) techniques employed in either "The Church Uptown" or "Lane Library: A Living Learning Community."
After having read the piece about Lane Library, I felt as though I myself belonged to the small refuge. The place which offers it's joy to anyone of any age group. The piece makes use of thick description to the fullest extent. Kara Dailey details some parts of the library so well, I could make a decent attempt to map out the building. Between it's rays of light and it's hidden chairs for young adults; the paper really wants to let you know about the library. Dailey also shies away from restricting the library's visitors to any specific individual. It brings in adults, high schoolers, college students, and children, all of whom come to enjoy what this small place has to offer. It appears that the library may be somewhat of a cultural ritual. Those in the area, who find themselves visiting throughout their lives, and growing up in this library, are graduating from the children's section to young adults, and so on into adulthood.
Out of the four picks for effective thick description, I believe they are all adequate, but find the piece about England to contain the most visual experience. Jamaica Kincaid tells us of her childhood and how important England was to her youth. She comments on how most of the things in her life were "Made in England" (101). Kincaid explains how adament the education of England was when she compares "This is England" to "This Jerusalem, the place you will go to when you die but only if you have been good" (101).
Kincaid notices some patterns about her life in her childhood. Her breakfast is English, her manners are English, and yet she has never been to England. The English way of life affects all that her family does. Her father was one who held the English way of life dear, that she believed a picture of an Englishman "caused him to wear the wrong hate for a hot climate most of his long life (102).
Eventually Jamaica Kincaid made it to England, and she did not like it a bit! England had been so scarred into her being that she did the best she could to reject it. When she visits with a friend, she finds everyone rude, but she says "I liked the conductor being rude; his behavior seemed quite appropriate" (107). Her vision of England is painted in the people. How everyone seems rude, is likely related to her bias against the country. And I think that the mention of people, helps further her dislike of the country, as she portrays them in a negative manner. She really wants nothing to do with it. Finally Kincaid visits the Cliffs of Dover, but only her to her disappointment. "And so there they were, the white cliffs, but they were not that pearly majestic thing I used to sing about..." (109). And finally she ends with how all her views of England "...should jump and die and disappear forever" (109).
The thick description on this piece is not so much the tangible world, but the description of her emotions and life. Throughout this piece I find it easy to envision her as a small child, and easier still to imagine within the loathing she feels of what was once supposed to be where she belonged
2. Comment on effective (or ineffective) techniques employed in either "The Church Uptown" or "Lane Library: A Living Learning Community."
After having read the piece about Lane Library, I felt as though I myself belonged to the small refuge. The place which offers it's joy to anyone of any age group. The piece makes use of thick description to the fullest extent. Kara Dailey details some parts of the library so well, I could make a decent attempt to map out the building. Between it's rays of light and it's hidden chairs for young adults; the paper really wants to let you know about the library. Dailey also shies away from restricting the library's visitors to any specific individual. It brings in adults, high schoolers, college students, and children, all of whom come to enjoy what this small place has to offer. It appears that the library may be somewhat of a cultural ritual. Those in the area, who find themselves visiting throughout their lives, and growing up in this library, are graduating from the children's section to young adults, and so on into adulthood.
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