30 minutes of TED, changeing your...speeches

Identifying PATHOS, ETHOS, and LOGOS

In this persuasive speech, Micheal Sandel explains why democratic debate is lacked in the modern world. He bases his idea on the ideas of Aristotle ~ETHOS~, who wrote questions of justice and morality. He uses a famous thinker, especially on who has proven to be a genius in history. His point was pure logical, he made the audience answer questions that were logically incorrect, by giving them the true definitions of justice and morality ~LOGOS~. Further on, he gives examples and reasons, such as his flute example and his golf example. Especially in the golf example, he uses emotion to ask the audience what they think about the letting Casey Martin, a professional golfer, use a golf cart while competing ~PATHOS~. Basically, he is using real life events to persuade the audience and letting the audience speak for themselves and logically proving them wrong afterwards.

Using statistics, Graham Hill persuades fellow Americans that less equals more. You wouldn't understand at first, but he explains logically that people need things that they need and will use a long time. Also, if you don't buy that much space, it gives you more time, a great way to save money, and produce less pollution ~PATHOS~. He himself created a project where people can learn how save and reduce space so that we can have more needed items ~ETHOS~. He has a 420 square feet apartment in Manhattan, but has ten rooms in total, from fold out beds to extendable tables that can seat ten people. Logically he explains how we can reduce the amount of things we have while increasing happiness ~LOGOS~.

Due to the fact that he is a mathematics genius, Arthur Benjamin persuades us to change from the mathematics standards, calculus, to the more useful statistics and probability that are used on a daily basis ~ETHOS~. Calculus is not a useless subject, some careers do require calculus; but normally statistics and probability are the essentials to the economics, data analysis, and especially towards modern day life, because probability and statistics are what the world needs and to be able to understand itself ~LOGOS~. In addition, statistics and probability can be very fun, it is the mathematics of games, gambling, analyzing trends, and predicting the future, if you dominate at that, then you could probably win most of all the games you play ~PATHOS~.

Before and After Speech Class

During the first steps in becoming a professional speaker, many of the speeches were terrible. They were supposed to be terrible, not that I purposely made them unappealing, but it was the way of the Webb. However, after writing a few outlines, speaking in front of many peers, teachers, demonstrating, informing, and persuading the audience, improvement showed. I used to always hold a note card to feel more comfortable, and to reminded myself of what I had written in my outline; but now as I began aiming for perfection, I felt comfortable in front of audiences as long as I knew and made it clear to the audience of what my purpose was. Giving zingers to end the speech was a favorite part of the speech process, clear senses of the ending had to be done correctly. Comfort was a problem, but engaging to the audience, keeping them occupied and attracted was another. Through the days of speech class, knowing not only how to write an interesting speech was a serious matter, but also knowing how to grab the focus of the audience to the main points, the idea, was also very important. Variations in tone, giving emotional intonations are crucial and achieved throughout the process of speech perfection. Enhancing hand gestures made clear of what the points are and helpful to attract attention. Now, through practice and aim, the target has been shot down; all the qualities of a beautiful speech has been absorbed in a mind that knows perfectly how to use these qualities.The overall improvement is a wide range, from the terrible murmurs in the beginning to the well-achieved speeches towards the end. Without knowing these skills, and how to use them would have been a great loss in a professional speaker.

~BEFORE~

~AFTER~

Topic of Persuasion (2)

For//Against

Issue: Should women have rights?

The Debate

Women should have rights because they are humans too. Believe or not, but women may be smarter, more energetic, and efficient than men. Some men are lazy and according to recent scientific studies, women are more mature and more independent than men. Although women do make mistakes, because they are humans, most women can solve situations quicker than men. Women have more endurance than men according to scientific research. If a male and a female begin training at the same time, the female will win long races and competitions. The point is, women are just as equal as us, they are compatible work partners and they get the job done. 

Women cannot be as equal as men! Certainly women can be better than men, but men should are generally the ones who are working and supporting the family. Should you let women have rights and make the men feel as if they are useless? Both men and women are equal, why should the men feel more depressed than women. Women are less productive when they have their feminine issues, they become vulnerable once they are caught off guard. Men are visualizers, they make sure that all the things in the company, country, or community is perfect.

Issue:Should Marijuana be legalized?                                            [not suggested]

The Debate

Marijuana as you may have known, is a illegal. However, marijuana can be used for several medical purposes. Furthermore, people have the right to make choices for themselves as long as they do not harm others around them. According to the Marijuana Legalization Organization, they state that the government are wasting lots of time and money by making laws and prohibitions that are not working. For example, when the government banned alcohol, it was a disaster, why should you think that banning marijuana will be effective? As mentioned earlier, Marijuana is sometimes marijuana is used for medical purposes, it can help people to heal and less people that can be healed with marijuana can survive. Shouldn't we support those whom have hope so that they will live?

This is an outrage! If any way you would think that marijuana prohibition will not be effective, you are thinking to the wrong direction. It is not about what the people enjoy, it is about the prices of the drug or alcohol. Marijuana is more expensive than alcohol, thus it would be logical that people buy alcohol more than drugs right? Alcohol prohibition did not work because so many people are buying alcohol, because it is cheaper. However, if the government wants to prohibit marijuana, then their must be a reason, they would not bring a case into court if it was not a big issue. How did marijuana become a big issue? Perhaps some marijuana takers are causing havoc in a few areas or more marijuana are found in peoples' homes.

Issue: Hygiene is important and should be 'shared'

The Debate

The government needs to prevent serious viruses and diseases to people of the nation. Hygiene is getting worst, according to the recent studies, more and more people are not healthy. Although there are several reasons why this is occurring, personal hygiene and cleanliness can often prevent diseases and harmful viruses. People these days feel as if they can depend on the doctor for all their diseases. However, people need to learn how to take care of themselves and stay clean. There are not enough doctors to help everyone in a community. For example, I waited for three hours just to visit the doctor. We need more awareness of personal hygiene. 

Personal Hygiene is not that important. The government has more important issues to deal with, such as the economic debt and many other issues. Supporting awareness of cleanliness is a waste of time. Plus, haven't we all learned about personal hygiene in school? Also, isn't what the doctors jobs are for? To help people that are sick to feel better and heal them. We already have and know what we need to know. Furthermore, the people can heal themselves by taking medicine and presciptions.There is no need to waste time and money on this issue. 

Topic of Persuasion

FOR // AGAINST

Issue: Do schools have to right to search students' lockers?

The Debate

In this case, the students will not bring any sort of dangerous weapons, drugs, and other hazards to school. The lockers technically belong to the school anyways, and the lockers' purpose is to put papers, extra uniform, or the student's bag into the locker. Lockers are not meant to act as a permanent storage place; it is a temporary storage while the student is in school, so there is should not be any particular reason to leave your things in the lockers. With locker checkups, students will learn to be more honest due to the fact that we can find out if they have in their lockers.

Why should the teachers have the right to search lockers? Is there a policy in the handbook and the school rules that says so? If the students have paid in their tuition that the lockers are now in their possession, then they would also have the right to ask for their privacy. It's a matter of invasion of privacy; the lockers were entrusted to the students, thus, giving them the 'key' to the lockers. Furthermore, the government owns the land of a nation, but they cannot charge into your house freely, they need a search warrant. The same concept applies this issue: The teachers and the staff own the school, but the students own their lockers.

Issue: Should physical force a justifiable method to punish children?

The Debate

The fact that in most countries of the world, physical punishments to children is efficient and quite useful to teach children. Children should automatically learn to behave by themselves, but some children are too naughty to even listen to the parents talk to them. These children have made their parents so angry that they would want to beat them. How many parents would want to beat their child for no reason? It is the child's fault, he or she has done something very wrong, and they will learn and remember their mistake through scars and bruises harsh punishment.

Why does the government have laws against child abuse, because they do not want any child to get hurt. There must be other ways to teach your children how to behave properly, there is not much need to beat your child. I believe the children will understand by themselves if you, the parent, will teach them in a way that will not make them feel too bad. Variations in tone, how you say it, and the right concepts in which the children will agree too is a much more civilized way to teach them. After all, you are setting them an example so that they will learn to be righteous men and women with educated concepts such as, basic manners like 'Please' and 'Thank You'.


Issue: Should governments negotiate with terrorists?

The Debate

Through history, the world has known that people can change through words, and the right words at the right time. It is true. If we can talk to these terrorists, we can help they change and help them to think about what they are about to do. The world must have a common trait to bring peace, terrorist negotiations is where we can start. These terrorists are humans too, we cannot just shoot them down if they are terrorists, we must act like the civilized people we are and help them to think about their suicide. If it is all about killing each other, then what has the world become?

Negotiations with terrorists cannot proceed. Goodness sake! They are humans, it is true, but they are terrorists too! They will kill us even before we try to talk to them. How will we negotiate with them anyways?   We need to react fast and quickly when a terrorist attacks, and  know how to deal with the damage. Negotiations are a quite slow process, but people can be evacuated before the bombs trigger, and our military can buy those people some time. Although it may seem unnecessary, but one person dead is at least better than a thousand innocent lives dead. The key is to react fast, instead of slowly advancing towards them and giving them a choice, those terrorists have made their choice.

Fallacious Speeches--Improving English One Fallacy at a TIme

Since the Day I was born, I was destined to be the greatest person alive, and I am. However, today I will help you to fulfill your destiny as becoming the greatest citizens alive by electing me as your responsible president (sentimental appeal). This way, your destiny will be fulfilled and everyone will be happy, and happy citizens equals good economy, and good economies equal to happy governments, and a happy government equals...Well, let's just say that no one will die (slippery slope).There are basically three reasons why you should vote for me: I am smarter than the other candidates, more fun, and simply better than them (stacked evidence).

First, I am smarter than everyone, so I will be better at speaking in front of people (non-sequitor). Smart presidents make smart choices, and only smart people will vote for the smartest president (bandwagon). Unlike Emily, I have a higher IQ than her, plus who wants women as a president (faulty casualties)? Second reason why I am the best is because I am a fun and funny guy (stacked evidence). David on the other hand, believes tough justice and luck is all the world needs. So, he should not be president or he'll torture us with his boring, unappealing dull comments (ad hominem). If you vote for a fun president like me, then the whole world will e fin and vice versa (circular reasoning). Last but not least, I am simply better than everyone (stacked evidence). I am better because I was born with this talent, everyone admires this talent and they praise me due to it. Also, if people don't admire me being better than them, then something really bad will happen to them. Just ask Nicolas (scare tactics)! I am a very spiritual person, so believe me; something will happen (scare tactics). And seriously, I don't like to see people getting hurt, especially people whom I care about (sentimental appeal). Just vote for me and nothing will happen (either/or; using authority instead of evidence). So my point is: Better people have more responsibility than other people (faulty analogy).

You have now learned why you should vote for me and the three reasons why. I am smart, funny and better to vote for. With me, the better candidate, I will make you all happy, and again, happy citizens equal good economies, and good economies, equals to a happy government, and etc. (slippery slope). Lastly I want to end with a saying: With great power comes great responsibility. I've got the power, and the responsibility!

 *Turquoise = The Fallacies 

Rhetorical Fallacies

Pathos

In this example of an Emotional Fallacy, Bridgestone tells us that without their tires, many accidents such as road kill will occur. However, for those pet/animal lovers they do not have a choice. Would they spend less money on a normal tire, or have an expensive, safe on turning tire that reduces the rate of road kill. How can they refuse to buy Bridgestone tires, even when the animals in the video especially screams to indicate that humans are killing them? Think about it, what organism dies because of the tires? The driver is the deadliest weapon.

Ethos

This example of an Ethical Fallacies uses John McCain--a candidate of politics--explain why you should vote for him because he thinks that health care is important. He says that health care needs to be affordable and that the people need the care that he is about to offer. This guy is using his position of being a politician to lure those in need of health care to vote for him, that is unfair. He thinks that the people of the United State of America only needs health care in order to survive. That is why he isn't the president today.

Logos

With a hint of Ethos, this advertisement tells us the brain is like a ripe banana. Why? People say that TV will rot our brains, but no, it softens the brain just like a ripe banana. If your brain is softened, then let's just say that the people of Hulu has done their job, because now, you can't stop watching TV. The ad then says: What's so bad about watching TV when you can watch anytime, anywhere, for free!? So, their point is: Why not watch TV? It's for free, you can watch it anywhere, anytime on Hulu, and  it softens the brain. First of all, what does softening the brain have to do with watching TV? Secondly, I tried Hulu, it's not available in Taiwan. Lastly, isn't using electricity to watch TV using money? So it's not for free.