Visual Arguments Blog

I find the "Identities Are Infinite" visual argument to be the most appealing.  I was attracted to the variety of colors that are used as well as the different shapes and sizes of each word and phrase that the ad uses.  The ad seems to incorporate words used to describe all kinds of people and personalities.  I is used to encourage diversity on the campus of Western Washington University.  I feel like the ad would be a success.  I find the "Embracing Diversity" ad the least appealing.  The lack of color failed to grab my attention and the use of the same font throughout the entire ad was just plain boring.  I don't feel like it would be a success in promoting diversity.

In the first picture, the theme of the argument is that there are quotas and requirements set in order for colleges to accept minorities.  The second picture depicts a scene where the Supreme Court is trying to decide whether or not to count race towards college admissions.  It is ironic because all but one of the judges are white.  The third picture is for affirmative action, depicting a young black male suffering through many hardships and then being allowed into college through affirmative action.  The fourth cartoon shows several admitted students and one who is not, who in turn, blames the minority student for not being accepted.  Each argument is effective because they use humor and irony to get the message across.

Ad Blog

For the advertisement that I chose to analyze, I chose an ad from Buckler Beer.  In the ad, there is an outline of a beer glass with the words: “Please remove now the pictures and video from last night posted on Facebook.”  There is a beer bottle cap next to the glass with the Buckler Beer logo on it to signal that this is an advertisement for Buckler Beer.  The ad is poking fun at the newly popular practice of taking drunken photos and videos of yourself or friends and then later have them posted on Facebook for the world to see.  Buckler beer uses the popularity of Facebook in their advertisement because of the sheer number of people who use the site on a day to day basis and are of drinking age; whether they are in the work force or still in college.  The ad uses very few colors, making the viewer focus on what is inside the beer glass.  The words inside the glass are colored with the same color that beer normally is to simulate that the beer is the cause behind the message that the advertisement is trying to portray.  I think the message is effective because it ads humor to having a good time after drinking Buckler’s beer.

Paper 4 Outline

I.               Intro

A.     Should the United State’s most popular illegal substance be legalized?  Some say yes and some say no.

1.     Marijuana is the most popular and has the highest rate of use in the United States.

2.     Many people believe it should remain outlawed completely, however, many people also believe there are more benefits behind the plant than there are negative attributes.

3.     The legalization of marijuana can bring about many positive changes in our society and should be legalized.

II.             Economic Benefits

A.     Marijuana can bring in a substantial amount of money into the economy.

1.     Legalizing marijuana will enable the government to place taxes on the sale of the plant, therefore flowing money into the economy.

2.     Hemp, a byproduct of marijuana, is already used in the production of many items such as rope, soaps, tanning lotions, and other products.  The increase in the growth and production of the plant will only aid in expanding the sale and distribution of hemp products.

3.     Legalization could potentially cultivate many jobs for those who are out of work.

III.           Social Benefits

A.     Marijuana legalization will have a tremendous social impact.

1.     Would make it easier for those without medical insurance to obtain medical marijuana.

2.     Would free a large percent of the prison population due to the elimination of marijuana laws, which would eliminate minor offenders.

3.     Eliminates some of the “cool” appeal of use.  This means that legalization will eliminate the attraction to using a substance that is illegal, making younger demographics thinking that it’s the “cool thing to do.”

IV.            Health Benefits

A.     Legalizing marijuana can have positive effects on people’s health.

1.     As mentioned before, it would make obtaining medical marijuana much easier for those with little to no health insurance.

2.     Has the potential to be less dangerous and much less addicting than other legal substances such as tobacco and alcohol.

3.     Serves a purpose in negating nausea and other symptoms from cancer treatments.

V.              Conclusion

A.     Marijuana should be legalized but regulated.

B.     Marijuana has many positive benefits: Economic, Social, and Health.