Was It Worth It?

Over the past few weeks, I have followed Michelle Malkin, a conservative columnist , and analyzed a few of her articles. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading her material, she fairly argues her opinion in each article and supports details well. The subject of her writing was a little dry for me personally. This is no reflection on her or her writing, I simply was not interested in the political issues our nation was facing at this time. I am glad I made the choice to follow her.

Challenging, this assignment was a little difficult to complete each week but I think it is excellent analytical practice. As the student, the responsibility was put on me to find and analyze the material on my own and I think this is a great lesson in independence for a high school student. As a blogger, I am not sure how I feel about my thoughts being projected for all to see. I still find it a little awkward to write and post it for anyone who wants to read it. There have been improvements, however, in how I analyze other writers’ work and that I believe I owe to this project.

Opposites On Obama

Up until this point, I have written mostly on the politically conservative opinions of Michelle Malkin. Now, in this post I’ll be introducing a more liberal writer, Jeffrey Goldberg, and his opposing opinions to Malkin’s particularly on Obama’s position on terrorism. Defensive but loyal, Goldberg tries to protect his beloved president’s actions on terrorism through vague diction and snotty sarcasm.

While Malkin’s article was dripping with passion on the subject, Goldberg addresses the issue with much more timidity. In order to evade the problem of making Obama’s lack of action apparent, many words such as “all” or “every” are used in lieu of exact names. An example of that would be,”It is important to remember that Obama is perhaps the greatest killer of terrorists in American history” (Goldberg). What this sentence, and article, fails to mention is exactly which groups of terrorists Obama has killed or how many people those groups contained. The author also makes a few excuses for the president’s absence or very limited action saying “but” in more ways than one and at more than one point in the article. Generalized the diction in this article displays a lack of passion and supporting evidence on the author’s opinion.

While the article may lack some emotion it does contain plenty of flavor from the finger pointing and sarcasm utilized by the author. Goldberg starts off his article immediately placing  blame on those in office prior to Obama for the issue being addressed. His sarcasm when regarding those he blames is along the lines of, “I think it is sufficient to say that policy should not be made by memos written in a Holly Golightly, “Hey, what’s up with Korea, anyway?” (Goldberg). Positively, sarcasm adds excitement to the article. For the reader, it gives them an idea of the author’s personal opinion even in a dry article. Through the utilization of the rhetorical device of sarcasm, Goldberg conveys his opinions in an interesting way.

In terms of which author made a better case for their opinion I would have to side with Malkin. Her writing was assisted with many more devices than Goldberg’s. More importantly, she used specific names and dates when discussing political issues and certain terrorist groups. An author must be credible when persuading an audience and in terms of argument, I think it is safe to say Goldberg did not really hold his own.

Goldberg’s Article:

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-09-03/obama-s-stronger-on-terror-than-he-sounds

Why So Bitter?

Obama and terrorism are two topics that seem to go hand in hand. However after this weeks attack on Ottawa and the president’s response, it would seem Michelle Malkin has had quite enough of his double standards. Through the article Where was President Obama?, Malkin bitterly reveals Obama’s incompetence in dealing with terrorists with his own country through the rhetorical devices of syntax and rhetorical questions.

In the article, the reader views the syntax utilized to draw importance to different points, such as the intentions of ISIS, presented by the author. One illustration of syntax is visible in the quote,”What happened in Canada — what ISIS wants worldwide — has been happening here for years under Barry-come-lately’s watch”. The hyphens draw the reader’s eyes to the severity of ISIS’s intentions and points out that this attack is one of many plotted, but the president has only showed this much attention to one particular attack, one that wasn’t even on his soil. Here, Malkin also sarcastically refers to the president as Barry-come-lately. This is not a display of syntax, but it is an additional device, sarcasm, used to convey the author’s bitterness towards Obama’s delayed response to the terrorist attacks.

Additionally, Malkin utilizes rhetorical questions to accentuate points she  want the reader to notice and reflect on for themselves. Obama, though recently attempting to appear concerned for our neighboring country, Canada, has not shown as much attention in the past as our author thinks he should have. Throughout the article, paragraphs and new ideas are started with the opening, “Where was Obama when…?”. That question is finished with an event in which terrorists, primarily Muslims, have attacked. This device draws the reader to answer her authors question and that answer would be that the president was not taking any action. The question cuts directly to the point and persuades the reader to the author’s liking in the realization that despite his compassionate façade Obama dropped the ball many previous times before.

The devices in this article are certainly persuasive and thought provoking. After reading this the reader forms questions for themselves, the author’s true intent. Where was our leader? Do we forgive him? Will he be more fair?

Malkin has her answers, do you?

Refence:

http://michellemalkin.com/2014/10/24/where-was-president-obama/

The Ebola Error

The purpose behind Malkin’s article, Ebola, electronic medical records, and Epic systems, is to draw attention to the issue of electronic record holding, and bias in this industry regarding the government. Passionately, Malkin states that president Obama’s push to have all medical records help on the computer might have more flaws than its worth. Through her provided details and evidence, she states that this action may not only be unhelpful but detrimental as a whole. Her central idea in this article is that electronic record holding, specifically in the case of the company Epic Systems, is faulty and only in a position of power due to their liberal support and Obama alliance. From her perspective, when it comes to our country’s medical records the government should be more concerned with the peoples’ health than making sure those in control are the president’s best friends. With our country currently in a frenzy over Ebola, the last thing those in power should do is give the public more reason to panic.

To support her skeptical analysis of the job that Epic Systems is doing, the author includes well researched details and witty diction in her article. When discussing this newfound Ebola epidemic, fear most often comes into the hearts and minds of the audience. An example of pathos, Malkin mentions that this flawed record company has already caused 46 deaths in the United States due to its poor communication skills. Subtle, diction often gives an effect of cleverness and makes the article more understandable, or at least more enjoyable to read. Malkin alludes to her feelings of bitterness towards the topic when she sarcastically concludes, “Imagine if some of that key data had to do with an Ebola carrier’s travel history. Oh wait”. Sarcastic and subtle, the author gets her opinion across in not only fact but also tone.

Shifts in tone let the reader know when either a new idea is being introduced or an opinion is about to be stated. The author uses these shifts twice, once to reveal more facts and the next to drive home her critical opinion on the topic. In the beginning, the author gives a general overview of the recent mishaps Epic Systems has had losing or miscommunicating information. To delve even deeper into the various things they have done wrong she inserts a shift, “What really happened?”. This prepares the reader for new information knowing we are going to get to the heart of the issue. After stating all these cold hard facts, Malkin gives a sarcastic comment revealing her opinion, “Cozy arrangement, that”, which lets the reader know the next few statements will reflect the author’s opinion more than anything else.

I thoroughly enjoyed this article because I find the author has done her research to back up her opinion. When there is evidence to support her, it is hard to argue. Being able to strongly state your opinion about something without shoving it in someone’s face is truly a skill I think Malkin has mastered and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Link to Michelle Malkin’s article:

http://michellemalkin.com/2014/10/07/ebola-electronic-medical-records-and-epic-systems/

What Makes Malkin?

     In today’s world a strong, successful woman is rare. That is, if she’s a conservative. However, Michelle Malkin, conservative blogger, author, and commentator, is beginning to break this societal boundary. Born in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1970, Malkin came from a typical household and was raised in southern New Jersey (Michelle Malkin). In her education, she attended Holy Spirit High School and then went on to graduate from Oberlin College (PCC). Early in her life, she worked with the Los Angeles Daily News in newspaper journalism where she worked as an editorial writer and weekly columnist from 1992-94. She joined the editorial board of the Seattle Times in 1996, where she penned editorials and weekly columns for three and a half years (Michelle Malkin).

     Now, she writes a twice weekly column that appears in multiple newspapers as well as occasionally appearing on television and being an author. Malkin has been writing as a nationally syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate since 1999, her column is read both online and in print (Malkin). Her frequent television presence includes appearances on Fox’s “The Sean Hannity Show,” and “Fox & Friends” (PCC). She has written four books between 2002 and 2009, all were bestsellers (Michelle Malkin).

     Professional career aside, Malkin now lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. She herself added a few fun facts to her bio on her blog including her favorite iPhone game and shoe size (Malkin). Her writing is both spunky and informative and I look forward to following these upcoming weeks.

Works Cited

Malkin, Michelle. “About.” Michelle Malkin. WordPress, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

“Michelle Malkin.” Fox News. Fox News Network, n.d. Web.

“Political Columnist & Commentator.” Townhall.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

It’s in the Details

The diction and detail displayed in this article are made prevalent through literary devices and use of a quote.  While some may find that the news is boring, journalists have to find ways to intrigue their readers.  Strong, interesting word choice and alliteration are a few devices the author used to draw in their audience.  In addition to interesting writing, it is helpful to include credible details to back up the report.  This author included a quote in addition to the rest of their research.  Diction and detail not only support a story, they can make it more interesting.

Personally,  I enjoyed this article due to its down to earth tone and supportive details.  Upon reading, I didn’t feel bombarded with fact or research, but rather a balance of the two.  Using names and quotes in your article adds credibility and it is always nice to know the author knows what they’re talking about.  In regard to the topic of hazing, I am impartial.  I have a feeling hazing, no matter how brutal it is, will continue despite this bad publicity.  I am still against it in every sense and wish all the best to those campaigning to end it.

If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Dear Freshman,

If I could go back in time I would tell myself these three things to make freshman year easier.

1. Awkwardness. When it comes to being awkward and running into situations where you feel like you are absolutely the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on, you should know you’re not alone. I know you’re thinking no one understands you and you have to fight this battle all on your own, but that’s a lie. Everyone is lost and awkward freshman year because it is a year of new beginnings and trying to find your place in this school, and trying to find yourself. Talk to an upperclassman or an adult about what you’re trying to figure out. SERIOUSLY. Don’t harbor that anxiety or it will waste your time.
2. Grades. I have spent many a night sleepless or in hysterics over a test or assignment due the next day. Do not let it go until the last minute. It’s never your best if it’s done last minute and you will just become backed up with a massive pile of late work and zero motivation to do any of it. Also, it only gets harder. You have many more years of school work ahead so even when it is overwhelming try your hardest to maintain a good attitude and work ethic.
3. Relationships. This is the most important thing I would like to impress on you. NO RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE IN HIGH SCHOOL DEFINES YOU. I am talking about every type of relationship here friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, teachers, parents, and so on. Do not get me wrong, I love my friends and relationships with others are important and it’s healthy to have people in your life you can talk to about your problems and for you to be there for others when they need you. However, having a huge group of friends or having a significant other will not solve your problems or make high school a breeze. I was under so much pressure as a freshman to make sure I had all the components of my social circle perfectly in place. I spent more time worrying about it then I did enjoying it. You must be happy with who you are and be confident in yourself. You will probably only be friends with a few people once you graduate, to thine own self be true.

All the best of luck in these next four years. You’ll survive.

My First Post

Please excuse my cynicism in this first post. I figure of all the places to be honest a blog is definitely one of them. This website is extremely confusing when it comes to customizing a blog. That or I am not technologically savvy. Disappointed to say the least in how mine turned out.

I am starting this blog as a homework assignment. With all the classes I have it feels like my whole life is an assignment. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to this new experience. I hope whoever reads this enjoys it and if nothing else learns something new.