Monthly Archives: November 2020

Orwell’s thesis is that throughout time, the English language has been corrupted by the way we think, and the way how we write. Instead of making sense, we use jargon to make our ideas sound more interesting and feasible to the average reader or listener. We use Latin words, metaphors, and expressions to make our simple thought sound sophisticating, even though it doesn’t make any sense. Orwell’s idea is that we can communicate clearly and concisely by simply using plain English without the unnecessary use of expressions and metaphors that make absolutely no sense. “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought. A bad usage can spread by tradition and imitation, even among people who should and do know better.” This particular quote stood out to me because it shows that throughout time people take advantage of the English language to promote thoughts that aren’t true. They know that their “metaphors” and “expressions’ don’t really make any sense but they do it still to sound pretentious and as if there are knowledgeable. Orwell is trying to say that the English language is easily abused to manipulate others into thinking that the writers and speakers that take advantage of the language are smart. “It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it: consequently the defenders of every kind of régime claim that it is a democracy, and fear that they might have to stop using that word if it were tied down to any one meaning. Words of this kind are often used in a consciously dishonest way.” Orwell’s quote shows how words can be easily abused and manipulated to think for the average reader. Instead of allowing the reader to form his or her thoughts, the speaker and or writer takes advantage of the misinformation that surrounds the topic they are speaking about in order to come off as knowledgeable. I see examples of this today when political leaders are giving speeches, they use metaphors and jargon to sound intelligent as if they know what they are really saying. My writing often exhibits this type of language use because as what Orwell mentioned it is imitated, I personally write In that type of format sometimes in order to come off as smart, I know what I’m writing about but I feel as if when I write like what Orwell is talking against about I come off as intelligent and more persuasive to my argument or answer. I find his critique to be valid because they are times when I’m reading articles, passages, and even listening to speeches I have to pause to actually ask myself “What are they really trying to say” even though it may sound smart to a person that isn’t listening, it really shows that most people just do it “just to sound smart”, there is no deeper answer. The English language is abused in a way it only benefits the speaker or writer, not the listener. An example in American politics will be “Pro Gun” the term pro gun comes off as a person that supports lack of gun laws. But in reality the term “Pro Gun” sounds weird, it just two different terms put together to sound smart and reasonable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgHXJ3rdOn0

The audience for Joe Biden’s ad “Be Not Afraid” is the people that are in doubt of a future Trump America. Biden targets American citizens that are afraid of the hatred and violence Trump supporters are plaguing onto America. The United States is supposed to be united not decisive, instead of Trump supporting the actions of his supporters, he should be condoning the violence they are causing. A president that incites violence is not a leader, but a tyrant that is afraid of losing power. The ad’s message is “Be not afraid” and “Violence will not bring change, it will only bring destruction.” The argument Joe Biden is trying to make is that violence will only beget more violence, the United States of America should be united instead of causing inner turmoil, people should come together to realize that their actions are not benefitting anyone, its only causing further destruction. Another key message is “Be Not Afraid” Biden wants his supporters to feel safe and united after post election, that he will bring America unity instead of destruction. The feelings Biden provoke is a sense of union and peace. Biden wants to make his supporters feel united and make them seem as there are on a mission to make the United States more prosperous compared to Trump’s America. The average watcher will feel comfortable because it shows that Biden actually cares about the status and welfare of the average American citizen, and that he will not give up to keep America at peace. Biden’s “Be Not Afraid” ad is positive because Biden wants his supporters to feel as if they matter, it isn’t about the politics it is about keeping the peace of America. America already being very diverse, violence should not be the answer to push an political agenda it is what’s opposite of America, it only brings tyranny, and fear to the people that oppose Trump’s America, it only creates a further sense of unnecessary division. It’s positive ad because Biden wants unity for America not violence. The visual elements that stood out the most were the clips of people violently protesting, and Biden talking behind an podium. The clips of people protesting violently shows the hatred President Trump is brewing, instead of condoning such acts he supports it giving his supporters a false sense of hope that violence is the answer, when in reality it isn’t. Biden talking behind the podium represents a leader that wants everyone to come together to listen to the knowledge that he is ready to present. Biden uses pathos in “Be Not Afraid” he appeals to the average viewers emotions by showing clips of violent protesters getting physical and acting irrational to demonstrate how so much as changed under Trump’s America. My ad is very successful because “Be Not Afraid” sends a powerful message to the average American viewer, “Be Not Afraid” when Biden will get elected President, things that are happening in America will change for the better.

The article “Here’s what to know about the dangers that go along with Hosting Thanksgiving Amid Surging coronavirus infections: what’s safe? What’s not?” speaks of helpful tips on how to stay safe and healthy during the holidays. The central Idea of this article was ways we can celebrate the holidays yet still stay safe and follow precautions. The material was very easy to understand given that it was in bullet point form. I believe this article could have spoken a tad more about how relatives and elders can connect virtually during these times.

The article “Here’s what to Know about the Dangers that go along with Hosting Thanksgiving Amid Surging coronavirus infections: What’s Safe? What’s not?” talks about ways to keep your family and friends safe if they are gathering during Thanksgiving this year with Covid around. How to spend time with your close ones without spreading the disease. The central idea of this article was to inform people of ways to keep themselves and their close ones safe if they gather during thanksgiving. I found this article to be very effective because it was easy to follow and easy to understand. Unfortunately, I do not think many people will be following some of these rules. When you are physically with your close ones, you are most likely to not social distance. I feel like something this article could have done better would be to explain the importance of social distance. Maybe show statistics of how social distance can help reduce the spread of Covid. This way, people can take it more seriously. Overall, I felt like the article did give good tips for people that are going to gather during Thanksgiving. It is only a matter of whether people are going to follow them or not.

The article I chose was “Here’s what to know about the dangers that go along with hosting Thanksgiving amid surging coronavirus infections: What’s safe? What’s not?”. The article spoke about different ways to keep you and your family safe during this celebration and how to prevent any more spreading or dangers of infection. The central idea was just listing the different things we must do in order to celebrate but still keep safe. What I think this article was effective in was clarity. The material was very straightforward and easy to understand, in bullet point form. But I feel like something it was non effective in was capturing the necessity of it. Yes at the end there was some explanation but there are a lot of people who still don’t even believe this virus exists so I feel like a few bullet points can look non alarming. I also think we should enforce virtual celebrations due to the fact that the older generation will be isolated during these times and I’m not sure if it makes sense to have a Thanksgiving that way. And it is just too difficult for families to enforce social distance, there are often even children at these holidays so it almost impossible to keep everyone at a distance.

The op-ed piece I read was “Padma Lakshmi: Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Moved Me to Tears.” Padma Lakshmi shared her feelings about when she found out Kamala Harris was the Vice-President Elect, in which she got emotional, because finally women of color is being represented in the government, being that she is a woman of color herself. She recognizes the fact that now women of color aren’t invisible anymore. With Kamala Harris making history, she will be an inspiration to young girls today. Padma says “When I first came to this country at age 4 from India, walking around New York City, I was excited to see all kinds of people — with different colors of skin, styles of dress and ways of moving through the world. But slowly I became aware of a different world, through magazines and TV, where almost everyone was white.” Using that, she compares and contrasts how times were when she now moved to the U.S, to how times are now with a women of color in office, which is what made this piece effective. Padma sends out the message that if Kamala Harris, a women of color, can’t be silenced, then we can’t be silenced either.

The piece I focused on was “Political Power for Latinos is still Growing- but not the way many people expected”.The article starts itself off with the point on how Latinos helped President Obama get re-elected in 2016. The speculated reasoning behind  President Obama’s enormous support from Latinos was in part because of his immigration laws and standpoints, such as his focus on helping illegal immigrants obtain a road to citizenship. The support definitely took a hit when President Donald Trump got in office and targeted immigration reforms presented by the Obama administration. The central idea overall is the impact of Latino Votes is definitely present in current day elections, but it definitely took a hit from the Trump Administration. Over time, in hope with the Biden administration, the Latino voice will be built on again and will play a large role in future elections. I do consider this article to be an effective piece. It provided a good sum-up of the past year’s political history with Latino voters with both the Obama and Trump administration. What I would recommend as feedback is for the author to include actual interviews from people affected by both administrations.

The Op-Ed article i read was “Here’s what to know about the dangers that go along with hosting Thanksgiving amid surging coronavirus infections: What’s safe? What’s not?” by Keith Grant the op- ed went over ways we could continue the thanksgiving holiday with extended family in a safe manner the entire gist of the op-ed stated that is was all around a bad idea to have any extended family over at your home during this thanksgiving due to the corona virus pandemic and how if in any case you are having extended family over there are many steps you can take in an effort to stay safe for you as well as immediate and extended family. I found this Op-Ed extremely effective because it listed i clear and concise sentences what would be recommended for higher safety, another reason this was very effective is because he had some credibility, in the beginning of the op-ed he wrote that he was “the chief infection prevention officer at Hartford HealthCare,”as well as having a “large extended family” as well despite this as you read through this op-ed he strongly suggest against having extended family over for the holidays. What i didn’t find effective was his saying that public transportation is “moderate to high risk” its definitely extremely risking in this pandemic but i do realize this could depend on what public transportation can look like in his area.

In the article ” Padma Lakshmi: Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Moved Me to Tears” the author expressed her joy in having Kamala Harris as president. She mentions how happy she is for having a black women in offie helping lead the country. Kamala Harris winning vice presidency send out a big message to so many young girls. It shows them that nothing is out of their reach. If you believe in something follow your dreams and you will achieve it. This is the first time we have a female president and this achievement is for the books. Personally, I found everything pretty effective throughout the whole article. I like how she gives some background information about Kamala Harris and what has taken her to get where she is now. I really liked every time she quoted things Kamala had previously said. I found that pretty effective. In the article she says ” While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” she assured us. “Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.” This message is so important cause spreads hope to every young lady who doubts herself. The impossible is possible.

The Op-Ed article I chose to read was “Here’s what to know about the dangers that go along with hosting Thanksgiving amid surging coronavirus infections: What’s safe? What’s not?” by Keith Grant. The central idea of this Op-Ed piece is ways to stay safe during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The author shared ways to ensure you and your immediate family members are safe as well as how to eliminate the risk of spreading the virus. Somethings I found effective was the different list with the different items, for example, the guest list has bullets that state “Encourage quarantining at least 7 to 10 days before the gathering; 14 days is ideal”. Another bullet that I find effective is “The highest risk is potluck, in which everyone brings a dish.” This quote is encouraging families to only have one person be responsible for the meal to eliminate the risk of spreading the virus. The article also listed public transportation as a moderate risk which I do not find effective because I think public transportation is actually a very high risk if the proper precautions are not taken. Something else I did not find effective is “Invite only members of your immediate household” this advice seems redundant as they are your family members of your immediate family, it would not make sense to invite them.