Beyond 2012: Why the World Won't End

        There are few who have not heard that this Friday, December 21^st, 2012, the world is supposedly coming to an end. However, NASA argues that December 21, 2012, will not be the end of the world as we know it; instead, it will be another winter solstice. In a question and answer format, NASA explains the origin of the theories behind the end of the world, and proves why it will not end. NASA refutes many of the proposed explanations for the causes of the end of the world. As mentioned, the author of this article is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an agency of the United States government that is responsible for the civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA was prompted to write this article in response to the uproar concerning the end of the world as we know it. Therefore, NASA’s purpose in writing this article is to present a scientific approach to explain not only why the world is NOT ending this Friday, but also to answer frequently asked questions to help settle people’s nerves about this upcoming event. Therefore, it is only logical that the audience for this article is anyone concerned about the world ending.

            There are several rhetorical devices used in this article to help achieve the purpose of convincing society that the world is not going to end this Friday. The most prominent device used is logos. In response to every question proposed, NASA used scientific reasoning to fully respond to all questions. This logical appeal pulls people away from the Mayan myth and towards logical and factual science. I personally think it is a lot easier to believe science than it is an ancient calendar. The author also incorporates concrete language to assist the use of logos. Concrete Language is language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities. As described above, NASA used specific, observable facts to present their argument that the word is not ending, rather than abstract ideas like those backing up the Mayan Calendar claim. Another subtle rhetorical device that assisted the reader’s understanding, in my opinion, was the minimal use of scientific jargon. If the author were to throw dozens of scientific terms into the article it would have become confusing and distant. However, with the minimal jargon, readers were able to follow along with minimal difficulty.

            Overall, I do believe NASA accomplished their purpose of presenting scientific reasoning to explain why the world is not ending on December 21^st, 2012. By using an argumentative style and the various rhetorical devices listed above, NASA was able to prove their point and convince the public that the world will continue to exist like it has for 4 billion years. Also, I would argue that just because this article is written by NASA, it makes it more reliable and convincing than others. So do not start blowing all of your money quite yet, there is still hope!

Why Apple Got a ‘Made in U.S.A.’ Bug

            The “Made In China” label is one of the most recognizable labels in the world today due to China's rapidly developing, large manufacturing industry. Apple is known for making their infamous products in Chinese factories. However, rising energy prices and a global market for computers are changing the way companies make their machines. Apple has decided to make some of its computers in the United States instead of China. This is not only a positive for American jobs, but it is also a marker of where much of the global computer industry is going.

The author of this text is Quentin Hardy, a Journalist and lecturer at UC Berkeley, where he also attended college. Hardy was prompted to write this article to address the emerging trend in computer manufacturing. Rather than having China manufacture everything in sight, computer companies are beginning to use specialized robots and US manufacturing instead of cheap, Chinese labor. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to offer countless examples to support this trend and prove that manufacturing is truly starting to go in a new direction. The audience of this text is any American adult concerned with the economic status of our country, and wants to bring manufacturing back to America.

            There are several rhetorical elements used in this article; however, the one that is most prominent is comparing and contrasting. Throughout the article, the author compares the manufacturing techniques and experiences of various computer companies including, Hewlett Packard, Dell, Gateway, Intel, and of course Apple. To offer some examples, when talking about Hewlett Packard’s relation to the new manufacturing trend, Hardy writes, “Five years ago, H.P. supplied most of Europe’s desktops from China, but today it manufactures in the Czech Republic, Turkey and Russia instead.” Additionally, “Hewlett-Packard, which turns out over 50 million computers a year through its own plants and subcontractors, makes many of its larger desktop personal computers in such higher-cost areas as Indianapolis and Tokyo to save on fuel costs and to serve business buyers rapidly.” On another side, when discussing Dell, Hardy explains how Dell, “made its mark by developing lean manufacturing techniques in Texas.” As observed, the author uses the rhetorical device of comparing and contrasting to show how individual companies are exhibiting the trend of moving manufacturing away from China, and to robots and US factories. The use of this device allows reader to feel like they are getting a wider field of information and examples, rather than a single view. This allows them to analyze the material in more depth in order to discern patterns, which leaves the reader with a stronger understanding about the subject at hand.

            I do believe the author accomplished his purpose of offering additional examples to support the upcoming manufacturing trend of using robots and US manufacturing rather than Chinese manufacturing to make products. Hardy gives dozens of examples to support his claim, which leaves readers with no room to question or refute Hardy’s claim. At the end of this article, the reader does not just have information on Apple. Instead he or she has information on about five other corporations as well. Overall, the author successfully achieved his purpose by utilizing comparing and contrasting and other strategies to get his message across. 

36 Hours in Lijiang, China

            One cannot deny the increasingly popular, stereotypical view of Chinese cities as crowded, dirty, highly industrial pits with swarms of people hustling every which way.  However, in the article, 36 Hours in Lijiang, China, Jeannie Ralston gives her audience a different view of a Chinese city that differs from the stereotypical one. In this article, the author takes her readers on a 36 hour journey through Lijiang in order to get a taste of the beauty and originality of this breathtaking city. It is considered a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people. The author of this article is again Jeannie Ralston, the author of, The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming. 

The context that prompted Ralston to write this article is the invisibility of Lijiang, China to many foreign travelers. Ralston feels like the beauty is going to waste. Therefore, Ralston’s purpose in writing this article is to give travelers a preview of the unique sites, activities, attractions, restaurants and cultural life of Jijiang. The audience for this text is any traveler interested in broadening their horizons and traveling to a place unheard of by most.

There are several rhetorical devices used in this article; although, the two that are most prominent are imagery and diction. Ralston constantly uses a strong sense of imagery to bring Lijiang to life. Throughout the 36-hour journey, Ralston adds a strong, sensual description to every place visited. To offer an example, in her opening statement, Ralston provides a descriptive setting of Lijiang that says, “The horizon here is Himalayan, and the blue sky above the city’s stone streets, willow-lined canals and black-tiled roofs is reliably visible”. Her illustrative words help to paint a base picture in the reader's mind before diving into the article. Additionally, Ralston use a very informal, conversational diction while writing. By doing so, the readers feel like they are traveling with Ralston rather than listening to her tell a tale. For instance, she writes, “The word “breathtaking” when applied to a Chinese city too often refers to respiratory-attack-inducing smog. But in the case of Lijiang, population 1.2 million, in the southwestern province of Yunnan, the word takes on its slack-jaw-in-awe meaning”. This funny, stereotypical sentence is crafted very nicely to again make the article very informal and conversational. In addition, the informality can be seen when Ralston also says, “So giddy-making are Lijiang’s offerings that the Old Town is filled with such vaguely fortune-cookie-like signs as ‘Mountains and rivers will be your friends and you will be with good reputation as a civilized tourist.’ Rough translation: Behave!’” Again, this informal diction makes the article more humorous, and enjoyable.

Overall, I do believe the author accomplished her purpose of writing an article that gives travelers a preview of the social and cultural life of the unique city of Lijiang. She provides a new place worth visiting every couple hours, leaving readers with a pretty good idea of what to expect from Lijiang. Her informal diction and imagery further help to persuade readers to visit the city. Overall, not only did the content of the article, but the style as well helped to present readers with a new site worth visiting.