▐▐▐▐▐American Memory

Step 1:

Birdhouse and landscape at an old plantation home near Eutaw, Alabama

Subject: There is a small house (birdhouse) on top of a cut tree. The tree is cut at a very high spot. There are many trees in the background and two benches close to the right. The picture is framed by black, and seems to be in a field. The picture is black and white, which means this could be an old picture.

Occasion: Nothing is really happening in this photo. There is a birdhouse resting on a tree stump and the day seems to be calm, not too windy. From this picture, I can guess that the time period is the late 1800s because the photos are black and white, and the house does not look like a modern house from the 21st century.

Audience: I think the photo is targeting adults from any gender or race who are interested in history and/or landscapes.

Purpose: The purpose of this photo is to document and illustrate what this specific area looked like back in the time the photo was taken. Furthermore, this photo also demonstrated how the birdhouse was placed on top of the tree stump.

Speaker: I can assume from the picture that was taken that the photographer was someone who liked calm and relaxing landscapes where (s)he can unwind. The scenery, birdhouse and/or the stump it rested on might also have a special meaning to the person who took the picture.

Tone: The tone of this photo is relaxed and calming because of the landscape in the background; however, it is also a little sad because the picture is black and white. The trees and glass in the picture gives me a feeling of peace. This picture also gives me a feeling of loneliness because it is kind of empty and there are no people in it.

Old ex-slave on a farm near Greensboro, Alabama

Subject: The subject in this picture is an old man sitting in a chair. He is wearing a striped shirt and looks very gaunt, frail, and thin. In the background, there are a lot of newspaper articles with pictures attached to the wall. Lastly, there's a bed to his left.

Occasion: This occasion is probably at the end of slavery because the title of this picture is "Old ex-slave..." In this photo, the old man is sitting in a chair, and he seems like he might start crying because his eyebrows look furrowed. Slavery ended in the late 1800s, but even after abolishing slavery, the blacks were still treated unequally.

Audience: I think the audience would people who are teens and older that can understand what it feels like for the source of something painful to be removed. I think this picture is also trying to attract people who are interested in African-American history and/or emotionally moving photographs.

Purpose: I think the purpose of this picture is to teach how hard of a life ex-slaves had because the man in this picture looks fail, gaunt, and sad. Furthermore, I think this picture is also used to provoke emotions from the viewer so they can understand how it felt like to be this ex-slave. I think the purpose is also to show what an ex-slave looked like after many years of hard labor.

Speaker: I can assume from this picture that the photographer is probably someone who cares about these slaves and wants racism to end. I can also assume that this speaker is something who wants to photograph pictures what will move others and get a message across. Additionally, I think this person is someone who values freedom and history.

Tone: I think the tone is sad because the man in the picture looks melancholy, and all of the newspaper clippings, to me, seems to represent all of the years and hardships he had to go through as a slave.

Step 2:

Subject: There are many scratches and paint on the windows. Behind hte water fountain, there is a sign that says water. Next to the sign, the word "WHITE" is written on some sort of material, and above that, there is a painted word that says "soup." To the left of the water fountain, there is an opening cut in window, and lastly, there is a railing/bar to the right of the water fountain.

Occasion: During the period when this photo was taken, there was a lot of segregation and racism towards blacks. Many places were labeled as "Whites only," or "for colored." In this specific photo, only whites were allowed to drink from this water fountain.

Audience: The audience is probably adults who are interested in what many places looked like back when there wasn't equality between the colored people and the whites. This picture might also target people who work as historians, or have family members who lived during this time period.

Purpose: The purpose of this photo is to record what certain signs looked like during this time period because now-a-days, we don't see signs that label which race can drink out of what water fountain, so we don't know how things looked back then. Furthermore, this picture document what life was like back then because these signs were part of everyday life.

Speaker: The photographer is probably someone who cares about history, and (s)he wants to record what these times looked like for people in the future to see. Since the signs "WHITE" and "WATER" and "SOUP" are in the center, I can infer that these signs are important to the photographer, and (s)he wants to capture this as a record.

Tone: I think the tone of this picture is upset because there are many scratches on the windows, the words are painted/written in a messy way, and there are splashes of random paint covering the walls. Furthermore, there is a lot of random paint stokes near the left of the picture under the opening and on the can, as well as under the water fountain. These areas with random markings on it makes it look like frustration and other signs of someone being upset.

Subject: On the window of the store, it says "Bryant's Place," and underneath that, it says "hot fish." The window adjacent to that says "For colored." Through the window, you can see many beer bottles sitting on the windowsill. The buildings are made of brick, there is another sign hanging on the door; it says something about cooks.

Occasion: During the time this picture was taken, there was a lot of segregation and racism between African-Americans and Caucasians. Certain places allowed only certain races, and usually the areas for blacks were not as well kept and clean as the places for whites.

Audience: The audience are probably middle age people who are interested in food, history, or signs that specified which race was allowed inside the store. I don't think races, genders, or social classes would matter in this case, because almost anyone could be targeted.

Purpose: The purpose of this picture is to document what some restaurants looked like when this photo was taken. It also documents what stores looked like back when there were signs allowing only certain races to go in.

Speaker: The person is probably someone who is interested in food, stores, and/or signs because that is basically what this picture captures. (S)he might also be reckless because (s)he was standing in the middle of the road when (s)he was taking the picture. What I think is important to the photographer are the words written on the windows of the store because they are in the center of the picture, and they stand out the most.

Tone: I think the tone is indifferent because of the way the picture was taken. The objects are in the center, and the camera angle is basically eye level. There are no people in the picture and no signs of emotion either because everything is fairly neat and organized. Overall, the picture is a little boring, so it doesn't seem like the photographer really cares.

▐▐▐▐▐Imagine Tomorrow Project II

Things that worked well...

Some things that I thought worked out really well was the welcome event. I liked how we were able to play games and get to know other people. Another thing I thought worked out well was how there wasn't any strict rules that we had to follow and that the presentations did not have to formal. That made everything so much easier and funner for me.

Improvements...

What I didn't like was that there was not enough free time. Next time, I think we should be able to stay at the rec center longer. I liked how we were allowed to leave our presentation spot at any time, but that also caused some problems because a couple times when I came back to my spot, a judge was already talking to my group, and I didn't get a chance to say anything during those times.

Feed back of progress...

I think that we were pretty well prepped but not as much as we could have been. At least we were better than the buy local group, but I saw so many more presentations that were better than ours. I liked how we were able to have a lot of time to work on our presentations especially as the due date drew closer. However, working on the project so much also made me a bit brain dead, and I didn't work as hard as I could have. After a while, I found this project kind of boring and annoying to work on. The only thing that I can think of right now is to start working on the projects earlier, so we won't get bored and frustrated. What I liked about our preparation was having the seniors come in and critique us on our presentation. It really helped because what the judges did was pretty similar to what we did when we practiced: we talked about our project, and then they asked us questions.

Thoughts for next year...

Next year, I don't want to continue the garden project because I thought that our project wasn't that interesting (not many people looked at our presentation), and that it wouldn't contribute a lot to the removal of carbon dioxide. I don't know what I want to do next year, but I like the idea about helping create a greener building. Next year, I wouldn't mind what category I'm in as long as it is not technology. The other three categories seem more interesting, and I think the projects that would belong in those categories would be funner to work on.

▐▐▐▐▐Imagine Tomorrow Project

Overview of Final IT Steps:

1. Replanted plants that died over the weekend; need to measure/take pictures
2. Create trifold
3. Record data from herbicide vs. hand pulling experiment
4. Finish writing paper (results, conclusion, etc)

Individual Assessment:
a. 9/10 because I tried my best and I did the work I was given. I went shopping for plants and materials, and look at seed costs during my own time after school.
b. 8/10 I helped with making the trifold (make cool looking titles, etc), but I didn't contribute a ton of ideas.
c. 10/10 since I listened to what others told me to do and did it.
d. 10/10 I worked hard to figure out problems when I figured out that my original experiment wouldn't work because there wasn't enough time. I had to change my experiment approx. three times.

▐▐▐▐▐The Persuaders: Marketing Politics

"The Persuaders" points out that there are laws governing truth in advertising for products and services, but that "politicians can legally say whatever they want." Should political ads be governed by the same kinds of laws that govern product ads? Why do you think there aren't such laws?

Yes, I think that political ads should be governed by the same kinds of laws that govern product ads because I don't think its right that political ads should be able to tell the reader or listener lies and false information about another candidate, person, or something else. Also, I don't think that politicians should be able to say false things so that they can get elected, that way, they are lying to their whole country, and meanwhile, we would have a "fake" President. There might not be such laws on political ads because then the politicians can show their strategy skills and also, the candidates haven't been elected yet, so they can't truthfully tell the listeners what they will do in the White House. Even if a not so great President was elected, he or she could be impeached, and there would still be other members of the government that could keep things under control.

▐▐▐▐▐The Persuaders: Marketing Culture

Douglas Rushkoff asks, "What happens when advertisers assume the roles of our writers, journalists, and entertainers?" How would you answer him?

If Douglas Rushkoff asked me that question, I would answer by saying that these advertisers would change our writing, and sources of entertainment into a type of advertisement, like how The Persuaders video said that some movies or TV shows were created to advertise a certain product. If all of these sources of entertainment become advertisements, we would start becoming influenced by these ads and maybe slowly, and unconsciously, lose our ability to choose what we want. Also, since advertisers are usually very convincing, theses movies or books can cause the watcher/reader to become influenced to think a certain way, maybe not just of a product, but political views and people too.

▐▐▐▐▐The Persuaders: Marketing Products

"The Persuaders" begins by questioning the increase in the amount of advertising we typically encounter in our daily lives. How would you assess the amount of advertising you see? Too much? Too little? Just right? In your view, what difference does it make to know that people today see much more advertising in their daily lives than people 20 or 30 years ago?

Even though I do not watch a lot of TV or listen to the radio a ton, just the amount of advertisement I see on the Internet is too much. There's advertising on basically every web page, and even advertisements for movies or products on places like YouTube or other video sites. There's not one place where I don't see ads. Even the school has some, for example, there's posters advertising for the school play "Fiddler on the Roof." It doesn't make a huge difference to me to know that people today see so much more advertising than people 20 or 30 years ago because people still make their own decisions, although sometimes, it's influenced by what they see on TV or the Internet or any place around them. Even though there were so much less advertisements back then, to the people who lived 20 or 30 years ago, it might seem to be just as much as the amount we see today. We get used to the amount of advertisement we see and sometimes our mind just gets used to it.

▐▐▐▐▐Propaganda/Media Log

Ad 1: Verizon FiOS

This propaganda is an ad I found from the Internet on M-W.com. It is trying to sell middle class/rich and educated adults the Verizon FiOS Premier Package by using logos. The logos is shown when the ad says "Best picture. Period." This shows that there's no question about the FiOS package having highest quality images. This ad also appeals to the audience's wants because the audience would definitely want something that's of good quality, and when the ad says "only $47.99/mo," it makes the reader think that the cost is cheap since it says "only." These tactics are used for this specific audience because adults want the item to be good quality, affordable, and something they can enjoy. Another audience might be children because they see this cool looking penguin on the TV and they think that they will get some good movies or channels with the FiOS Premier Package.



Ad 2: Pastry

I found this propaganda on the Internet on Myspace.com. This ad is trying to do something by giving the reader a brand of footwear called Pastry. The audience is most likely females kids and teens and maybe a few adults. This ad uses pathos to get the reader to buy the product. A example of this is when it says "...cutest kicks everyone is raving about." This makes the reader think that everyone has them and everyone loves them. That phrase also appeals to the audience's insecurities and fears because the ad will make the reader think that they will be left out if they don't have those shoes, so they have to get it. Also, pathos is shown by the way the ad is designed. The color, border, and the graphics will attract buyers. Another example of pathos in this ad is when it says "free!" This shows the reader that they can get the shoes everyone loves for free, and of course free is always better than having to pay something, so the reader would want to click the link. It also has powerful words like "raving" and "cutest kicks." This also appeals to the reader's wants because if they think that the shoes are cute or if they wanted to get it, then they will click the button that says click here especially since it says that they get the shoes for free. These tactics are used for this specific audience because it will attract teens and other people to buy the shoes.



Ad 3: Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World's End Trailer


This is a movie trailer of Pirates of the Caribbean 3. It is trying to get the viewer to watch the movie at the movie theaters or to get the audience to buy the movie once it's come out. The audience can basically be teens and adults who are interested in adventure, comedy, pirates, and/or a little bit of romance. This trailer uses pathos to try to get the viewer to watch the movie. Examples are shown by the tone of the speakers' voices and the background music/noise. The trailer uses music and noise because it can affect the way people feel. For example, if there's a sudden loud sound, then the listener will feel surprised and maybe a bit jumpy. The way the actors speak in the trailer can also affect if the audience wants to see it or not because the viewer would feel completely bored and disgusted if all of the actors were speaking in a monotone voice, but on the other hand, if the actors spoke dramatically, it will hold the listeners' attention. The propaganda also uses emotionally powerful image like parts of an action scene to lure the watchers. These tactics are used for this trailer because most of the audience would enjoy action. It uses music, noise, and the tone of the voice to cause the viewer to feel emotions like fear and excitement during an exiting part, and since the watcher likes action, then they will be interested in watching the movie.



Ad 4: Step Up 2: the Streets Trailer


The trailer of Step Up 2 is trying to get the audience to watch the movie. The viewers are most likely to be teens and young adults who like music, dancing, and romance. This propaganda uses pathos by adding in music and having the video go along with the song, like when the scene changes, the music also changes. Furthermore, an example of pathos and emotionally powerful images is near the beginning when one of the characters is shown jumping around and doing all kinds of cool flips and stuff. To me, just by seeing that made me want to watch the movie. A few other examples of powerful images are when the trailer shows a black screen with just a couple of words, like the names of a character, "believe," "risk," etc. There are also emotionally powerful words, like when someone says "Are you ready to step up?" and "lets do this." These tactics are used for this specific audience because usually teens and young adults like excitement and romance and this trailer definitely shows both.



Ad 5: Take a Beak From Easy Listening

This is a magazine ad that I found off the Internet that tries to get the audience to go to go to the rock and roll hall of fame and museum in Cleveland, Ohio. The targeted audience are propably anyone who is interested in the history of rock and roll. One of the tactics used in this propaganda is pathos, and it is shown by the design of this ad. The picture of the man jumping with a guitar can pull emotions from the reader such as excitement and energy. Also, the phrase "take a break" is pathos because it makes going to the museum/hall of fame seem fun and relaxing. Furthermore, the slogan "Take a break from easy listening," can be categorized as appealing to the audience's wants because the reader might want to learn more about rock and roll, and they might feel like they need to "take a break" after seeing that phrase. These tactics are used for this magazine ad because the reader would be attracted to the image of the man with the guitar, who seems to be having a lot of fun, and think that it would be cool to learn a little about rock and roll.



Ad 6: Classmates.com

This is an ad that I found on Yahoo.com. It targets adults who have already graduated, and tries to get them to click the link and use the the website (classamtes.com) to find old friends. It uses a slogan: "See your old friends again." This would also count as pathos because it causes emotions, such as longing and sadness, to appear from hoping to reunite with old friends. Another example of pathos are the pictures and the captions underneath because it reminds the reader that they haven't seen their old friends for a long time. It also makes the reader wonder what their friends look like and what has happened to them. In other words, the pictures make the audience feel a longing to meet up with their old friends. These tactics are used for this specific audience because it will make the audience remember their old friends that they used to have so much fun with. Then the reader will click on the ad and use their website.

▐▐▐▐▐DIDLS - Beast of England Song

Diction: "golden furture," "tyrant man," "mangel-wurzels," "beasts," "joyful," "fruitful"



Imagery: "Beasts of every land and clime," "...trod by beasts alone," "bright will shine the fields of England," "Purer shall its water be," "all must toil for freedom's sake"



Details: "Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown" - This shows that the animals' goal is to overthrow their masters, and have control over their own lives. "Shall be trod by beasts alone" shows that the animals want a life without interferance by humans. "Bright will shine the fields of England, / Purer shall its water be, / Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes / On the day that sets us free." - This part of the song shows how the animals expect their lives to be like after they are set free from the humans. "Wheat and barley, oats and hay, / clover, beans, and mangel-wurzels / shall be ours that day." - This shows how the animals expect to recieve those crops after they are freed.



Language: The language is hopeful because the song shows the animals' hope for a better future. It is also somewhat old fashioned as well because usually, nowadays, people don't use the word "shall," etc. The song, to me, sounds kind of exciting and joyful. When I imagine the animals singing this, I see them jumping around and dancing, just happy and excited.



Sentence Structure: The lines are short and the song has a lot of punctuations such as commas and periods. The sentence type is simple and seems kind of declarative.



Overall Tone: Overall, this song is about what the animals hope for in their futures. They want to get rid of the tyranny of humans, and they are dreaming of what they will earn/gain (more food, a better enviornment, etc).