Bad Blood

In Taylor Swift's Bad Blood song, her tone of voice and volume when singing are far more aggressive than the cover version by Ryan Adams.  Adams take a far more relaxed approach on Bad Blood.  Rhetorically analyzing these two songs that have the exact same lyrics is interesting because they really do give off completely different vibes.
Delving deeper into the differences, listeners hear in the line "it's so sad to, think about the good times, you and I..." in Adam's version and feel reminiscent and maybe even sorrowful.  However, when you hear that exact same line by Taylor Swift, she sounds aggressive, angry and vengeful.  In this case, the message from the songs are completely different.  Adam's Bad Blood video's message is reflective of the relationship these two had and how he is filled with sadness as it seems like it's coming to an end, "did you think we'd be fine?"  The message is conveyed effectively because you can hear in his tone the emotional distress he feels post this relationship.  The slower pace of the song and the gentle guitar strums effectively convey the message of hurting as well.
In contrast, Taylor Swift's Bad Blood line ""it's so sad to, think about the good times, you and I..." sounds angry and ready to move on. As the music builds and the song drops, Swift does not sound like the damsel in distress, she sounds confident.  She sounds angry but like she's over it and moving on.  Therefore, Swift effectively conveys her message of confidence and female strength through her voice. 
Not only did the tone of voice by the singer matter, but the way the music went along with the lyrics was critical in interpreting the message.  While the lyrics remained the same, Swift and Adam's song had completely different messages that were conveyed effectively.  Swifts being, confidence and female strength when a relationship ends.  While Adam's message was more along the lines of the typical sorrowful breakup and how he doesn't want it to end.           

Rhetorical Analysis pt. 2

This week, you'll be doing another rhetorical analysis. Remember to answer the final questions: what is the message? Is that message conveyed effectively? Why or why not? in addition to the questions outlined in the previous rhetorical analysis prompt.

I would like you to analyze a song and its cover. I would like the cover to sound very different from the original. You may pick any song, but Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" and Ryan Adam's cover  may prove fruitful. I just want you to deal with the audio, though the music video is (delightfully?) absurd. Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs" and Mr. Little Jeans's cover are also possibilities. Johnny Cash also famously covered NIN's "Hurt". A helpful hint: pick a few specific lines from the songs & talk about how they sound differently in each song & what that means for each. All I want you to work with is the words vs. the sound. If you'd like to add to your 250 words and talk about the videos (some of them are really weird), you are welcome to, but please treat it as a separate part of the post. Remember that it is not required -- I will be looking for the rhetorical implications of words, music, and words & music together.

NOTA BENE: If your blog posts and comments are late, I reserve the right to assign any grade I see fit. That is to say, if your posts and comments are good and on time, you will receive a grade of 100%. If they are late, I will assign a grade anywhere from a B to an F. Note also that it's much easier for me to assign a zero, so please do not give me opportunity.

Arguments

Rhetoric, it is seemingly a very powerful concept. Some choose to void it at all cost, some use it at every opportunity possible, and others put forward their input and argue only when and where they feel necessary. There are three types of people when it comes to rhetoric, argument, and the art persuasion. First, there is the type of person who avoids argument at all cost. This person would rather keep to themselves then to stir any emotions regarding someone else’s opinion or idea. Next, there is the person who chooses to argue at every given opportunity. This arguer will put forward some type of persuasion, regardless of whether or not he or she agrees or disagrees with any random concept. Finally, there is the person who selectively argues an idea, opinion, or concept exclusively to when controversy is brought up. Holding true to his or her beliefs this third person will argue matters simply on the basis that they feel strongly about about them. I would consider myself to be someone who argues more specifically when I feel passionately about any specific topic.

           Last semester in my Woman and Gender Studies class, argument was a major component to the issues discussed; everyone’s opinion was unique to their own experiences and therefore not everyone saw every topic eye to eye. In this very class I felt the need to argue what I believe is the true meaning of feminism, the concept that accepts who you are, regardless of your sex, race, physical appearance or gender, etc.

In one class specifically, my professor had asked the class to right down what each of us thought the word feminism meant. He collected our papers and said that only two out of the seventeen students in that class had defined feminism correctly. So then after, we read aloud what we each of us thought the word feminism meant. It was evident that everyone had a completely different understanding of feminism. Some people thought and argued that it meant that woman were better than men. Others thought and argued that it was something only woman can be. After a long and heated discussion filled with much argument throughout, our professor finally broke up the debate and clarified that feminism is believing that men and woman should have equal rights.

Throughout our discussion, I noticed that our professor would question our ideas, leading us to argue our opinions even further. At the time, I felt very strongly about what I thought feminism means. So badly, I wanted everyone to view this concept similarly to how I view it. However, giving your opinion alone can only get you so far.

            Almost every male in the class expressed that they believed that only woman could be feminist. In reality it is anyone who believes in equal rights between men and woman. Everyone seemed very shocked about the definition and the fact that anyone can be a feminist. However, if this topic was not argued and encouraged to be talked about by our professor, many of us would still be short to the true definition of feminism. We talked about why people argue and came to a conclusion that this often occurs due to miscommunication about a topic being argued. That is why it is so important to back up your argument not only with opinion but with support. With this support, others can view and understand your side of the argument more clearly, opening up greater perspectives for everyone.

An Argumentative Culture

            I do not consider myself a very argumentative person.  I try to keep as level of a head as possible and discern the right judgment on every controversial subject.  Like most people, I tend to think my views are always right.  I see or hear people argue on TV, the Internet, the radio, and on campus.  However, I always find myself thinking, “Why can’t we all just get along?  Why can’t we just solve these issues in a calm way?”  However, it never seems to work that way.  The most interesting arguments are about issues that are very sensitive to people because of their own personal experiences.  For example, topics like politics, sexual identity, race, and religion get people worked up very quickly.  Formal debates take place at academic centers, but the most interesting ones occur in your local bar.

            As part of a class on Irish literature during my senior year of high school, my teacher took the class to an Irish pub in downtown Milwaukee and taught us there.  The lecture was interesting enough, but the patrons of the pub provided the real education for eavesdroppers like me.  There were two men seated at a table over empty lunch plates, and they were evidently arguing about politics and Barrack Obama’s healthcare plan.  Our class arrived at the beginning of the discussion, and by the end of the discussion it was difficult to ignore them.  What started as a friendly discussion escalated to shouting and banging fists on the table after about thirty minutes.  They were obviously in opposition to one another and had a burning passion for their respective positions.  What’s more, both of their arguments seemed very well-formed.  While at first I was a little annoyed that people could be so obnoxious and argumentative, I realized that it was comforting that these people cared so much about our country.  Arguments arise out of our passions.  As humans, we have strong opinions, and it is natural that we want those opinions to be heard.  At the end of their discussion, the two men stood up, shook hands, and said, “All right then.  See you tomorrow!” with smiles on their faces.  They pushed their emotional argument to the side and did not let it affect their friendship.  While their argument did not change either person’s respective stance, it had a small impact on the world.  They forced everyone around them to acknowledge the issue at hand and form an opinion on the matter.  While it is hard to make change with just small discussions, the argument culture of the world’s citizens is the key to expressing our passions and spreading awareness.

Argumentative Culture

Arguing may be somewhat foreign to me, but it is something that is prominent in our culture. People in our culture argue and discuss a lot as there are numerous amounts of subjects and numerous amounts of opinions. They argue with strangers, but also with loved ones; in fact, it is completely natural and normal to have disagreements with others. In fact, I think arguing is important in any relationship, it allows you to explore different perspectives and broaden your horizon. In my classes, argumentation is not necessarily encouraged or frowned upon. In classes such as Speech, English, and Theology, arguments appear more often as constructive criticism is offered and as new opinions surface. On the other hand, classes such as math and biz 1000, don’t offer a lot of space for argumentation as there is usually one sole answer. I think professors like and encourage healthy arguments when they surface, as they are adamant about sticking up for what you believe in and having firm values.

The most recent example in my life occurred today when one of my friends received a bad grade on a math test. He then asked some of my friends and I how to manage his time better. This then spurred into a conversation about school and education in general. One side of the argument was that your grades all depend upon the work that you put in, while the other side argued that grades reflect your pure intelligence. We also discussed how learning is a priority in our lives while schoolwork is not. We concluded that it all depends upon your major. For example, for a business major, your first few years are general education. Thus, since the material may not be as applicable as the concentration courses in future years, the schoolwork would not be as large as a priority when compared to those in the medical field. Those in the medical field are starting with classes such as chemistry and biology, which usually require a lot more work and studying in order to master the material. In general, this argument we had definitely benefited us, we were able to offer our opposing opinions to create one cohesive statement. It is natural for us to “agree to disagree” as we know that we all come from different backgrounds with different values. Arguing is important in our culture, it is a natural occurrence, and I believe it can offer many benefits if resolved and done in more of a discussion manner instead of an argumentative manner. 

Argument Culture

I can’t say I necessarily live in an argument “culture,” but I do hear arguments occasionally around me. For example, a few days ago someone in my hall thought it would be funny to hang his full-sized Confederate flag on his door, and quite a few people on my floor weren’t too pleased with him. Most of the “arguments” I hear are mostly people seeing something on the Internet that makes them mad, and then trying to get people around them to agree with their own opinion. For example, one of my roommates is very passionate about women’s health, and she’ll see things that make her mad and tell us about it to try to get us to agree, which happens most of the time. When I was still living at home, my mom would often bring up something controversial, usually involving politics, at the dinner table, which would lead to my dad and me arguing about our opinions on it – those arguments usually didn’t end well, with one of us too angry to continue and leaving the room.

            I can say with a pretty good amount of confidence that none of these arguments accomplish anything, except for making everyone frustrated. My roommate usually ends up frustrated with the world, and my dad and me usually end up mad at each other and avoid each other for a few hours afterwards. I’d say that my arguments with my dad are harmful and helpful; they’re helpful because we learn each others’ opinions, but harmful because it ends up getting both of us mad for no reason.

            I haven’t been in a class where argumentation was the focus of the class, but I have been in classes where arguments have taken place. I went to an all-girls Catholic high school, and with Catholic education comes with theology classes. My junior year my theology class was an ethics class, where many controversial topics were brought up and then we learned the Catholic social teaching about each. Several topics came up without anyone arguing, like the death penalty and the environment. However, when the topic of abortion came up, one of the most tense arguments I’ve ever experienced occurred. It wasn’t between students, but between the teacher and students. Despite my teacher being a bit socially awkward, he handled it pretty well – he kept up his position on the issue, and answered questions thoughtfully, although maybe not to the satisfaction of those who disagreed with him. The argument ended with people frustrated and crying, and most people in the class were dying to get out of the classroom at the end of the period, just because it was not typical for students in the class to question what a teacher is teaching. I won’t comment on who “won” the argument, exactly, but that class was still one of the more tense moments I’ve had in school.

            Like previously stated, I can’t say I’m surrounded by arguments at all times, but I do overhear occasional disagreements that aren’t particularly severe. I haven’t participated in an argument in a while, but when they do happen, I’m pretty stubborn, so I stick up for myself and make my point clear and logical.

argument culture

Argument culture is something that I never really experienced much until my senior year of high school. I had a strange theology teacher and it seemed he believed his sole purpose in life was to start arguments. Every topic we learned about turned into a battle in the classroom. This was because people felt strongly about their opinions and wanted to express them. When people find out someone disagrees with them, they feel the urge to argue and defend their side of an issue. This may or may not accomplish anything. What it potentially could accomplish is changing someone’s mind to agree with your argument. But, most people have set opinions and are not open to considering other’s thoughts. Usually, arguments simply make people think about what they believe and rethink their assumptions. In college, I have already been in several classes in which the professor provokes arguments between students. Professors light up when students engage in heated discussions about the topic at hand. They also seem open to hearing student’s opinions, even if they disagree with them. College professors use argumentation to promote learning and help students develop opinions and beliefs. This is always interesting to participate in and listen to. Usually, the arguments in classes are about important matters that are worth defending. In real life, arguments seem to mostly consist of matters that are not life or death, such as where to eat dinner or what movie to watch. People in my life seem to argue with their roommates, parents, or significant other. It is much more common to argue with someone you love, rather than a stranger. There is constantly conflict between people that care about each other. Conflict can't be avoided in our public lives because there is something to argue about every day. Thankfully, we live in a society where we can express our opinions freely. 

The Quarrelsome Queen City

When I think of an argument culture, my hometown of Cincinnati immediately comes to mind. People in this city argue (for the most part) over some pretty trivial things. Native Cincinnati dwellers will argue over whether the west side or east side of the city is better, who has the best high school football team, whether gold star chili or skyline chili is better, or somehow get involved in an argument over the crappy sports that has plagued the city (The Reds did have a good streak a few years back but in general the Reds and Bengals are not the greatest of teams). For the most part, these arguments take place between friends and family. In the end though, these arguments do not accomplish anything but staunchly establish a viewpoint. 

Also, Cincinnati is a very political city; and at the same time, is a very traditional city. This city is rooted in family and catholic values which shapes many of the political views of its residents. If you are not catholic or have traditional views, even if facts are on your side, you will not win an argument (if you decide to waste energy on an argument with somebody of the opposing party) because it just turns into a heated dispute that ends with both sides not coming to any solution-- basically a political argument between a leftist and a rightist in Cincinnati very accurately portrays today's staggering political divide amongst the government and people as a whole. These arguments are not helpful, but rather detrimental. 

Despite living in a very argumentative city, I have never had a class or teacher that encourages discussing opposing points as a central theme of the class. Occasionally there would be a small opportunity as a part of the lesson plan, but that was quite rare. I had a class my freshman year of high school that involved researching a topic and having to support it against another group that was there to challenge my proposal, but other than those examples, I have never had a professor or class that actively encouraged challenging one's beliefs through dispute. This will change relatively soon though, as being a math major, I will begin to move into more abstract and proof based math (I can already hear the math of real analysis walking up to my doorstep). In these fields of math, I will be legitimately proving mathematical phenomena. From this, in an abstract sense, I will be encouraged by my professors to argue but not in the sense that is mostly thought of when somebody says "argue." I can see why professors might not encourage an argument in class, but I believe that part of growing involves stepping into unfamiliar territory and delving into something that makes one uncomfortable. Arguments can accomplish this and make us better as a whole, but sadly, a lot of times arguments turn hurtful and become fights, which accomplish nothing except inflicting pain and causing injury.

Like I said, Cincinnati is also a very religious city. I can say that from personal experience, people on the west side of the city can get very emotional and engaged in heated discussions about church related matters. I myself am not catholic (which means I either hide this identity or stick out like a sore thumb in the city) but know many people that are. Here is an example of a heated discussion I had to encounter when I was with my ex-girlfriend at one of her family's gargantuan family reunions (another thing for which Cincinnati is known: the entirety of one's family has a 513 area code). Some of her family (including her parents) were arguing about the history and current state of the church and asked me for an opinion to support one of them and I had to awkwardly say "oh, I am not catholic, I do not go to church." It was at that moment where it really hit me that I had said the wrong thing because I have never felt more judged by anybody ever than I did then. I'm pretty sure it was because I said this that my ex-girlfriend's mom hated me. This made me realize how intense some people are about political and church related matters in the city. I don't have any shame in the fact I am not catholic, but I believe that if one is so caught up in one's own beliefs and think poorly of others if they don't share those beliefs, that crosses the line. This argument I had to encounter was one that resulted (as far as I could tell) in nothing positive and only left me feeling annoyed that I was being judged because I don't go to church every Sunday. 

My immediate family only argues once in a blue moon, but some of the arguments that have taken place in my nuclear family lately have been about what is best for me regarding college and life. I am a very independent and forward thinking person who does not need the help of others often. I did the entire college application process on my own, managed my high school grades and time well, and I don't think I need the advice from my parents about careers. I know this can sound very arrogant but I am interested in the applications of mathematics and computer science in the world of banking--which my parents have no experience in, they're medical professionals. I realize my parents want what is only best for me, but lately we have been arguing over me dropping my finance major to be a math and computer science major with a minor in economics. I have tried to present facts and tell (it's mainly my mom, my dad just plays along to avoid conflict) my parents the myriad of reasons why I should study these fields but they don't want to have it. I am saving this battle for another day because they are paying for my college and many other things which I am incredibly grateful for, I realize I am a very fortunate kid and owe my parents more than a lifetime of repayment could offer. It is just frustrating when my mom ignores my rational argument for why I should study math and computer science. I also love math and it is slightly upsetting that they are hesitant to let me study what I truly enjoy doing. I want to use the skills I will learn from studying math, computer science, and economics to help me change lives (what my proposal is about) but I think this is something my parents have a hard time seeing; they can't see how I could use these skills to help improve people's lives. I'm sure everything in the end will turn out alright, but this is just another example/insight into the argumentative culture I am surrounded by. 

Argumentation

Do people argue?  Of course they do!  In my experience, people always seem to be arguing about something or other.  Of course, most of the arguments are menial and do not mean much.  I have only rarely encountered arguments that have become very heated and have made an impact on the people after the argument ended.  Most of the arguments that I encounter are ones between my friends or family.  The arguments are about what song to listen to, or where to go to eat.  The arguments usually end well for one person, but again, since the arguments are more of mere disagreements, the other person does not feel as though they really lost for a lengthy amount of time after the argument has ended.  The only real harm is possibly a small blow to one’s ego, as they are put down, being told that their suggestion is wrong.

Argumentation is especially encouraged in my classes.  My professors want the students to engage and disagree with them, because it will better bring around points that have not been discussed, but are valid and should be discussed.  They respond to the argumentation openly.  In my Theology class, my professor told us that he wants us to disagree with him.  He does not want us to just listen and absorb, but to form our own opinions about the topics to challenge him.  Arguing in class is a good thing, because it can develop new ideas and make people see two sides of the same story.

Arguing is a normal thing to do, and we all do it.  It can add to ideas and also end something that could be dragged on.  

Arguing, why argue about it?

            Argumentation, it’s the lifeblood of society. A world without argumentation is bland and colorless, as without it people would just mindlessly agree with one another. Society is full of arguments; just look at the United States government for example. Argumentation can take place over giant social issues like the Jim brown shootings in Ferguson, to even the most petty like who shall take the trash out in my dorm room this week. Arguments transcends all races, ages, religions, and genders, it’s universal on whom to argue with or for what reason why. Many times I find that arguments never settle what is actually being argued about; because if an individual is bold enough to get into a serious argument with another they are usually biased toward themselves and don’t like to admit defeat. Now for me personally I find that arguments help people, knowing that a person is well versed enough to have an intellectual argument with is quite enjoyable, and in the end I gain more respect to the person I’ve had a disagreement with.

            Now the only class I’ve had arguments in are my English classes, and for obvious reasons this trend has continued into college. Now I find that arguments are fairly encouraged in school, but it depends on the class. In science in math classes argumentation is much more challenging as the subject material is very strict, and well nobody in grade school or even undergraduates for that matter are to a level to challenge that sort of curriculum. But in the fine arts and history class’s I’ve found that arguing is actually my teachers frequently encouraged and embraced class discussions. Most professors, besides my English one of course, take criticism well, no one likes to be called out but everyone makes mistakes. I find that for the most part arguments are a regular part of society, most are small and are fairly irrelevant, but every once in a while there can be a huge argument, and most large arguments occur when politics or other sensitive topics are brought up. In the end argumentation is a crucial part of a working and intellectual society.

Defining Yourself- Argument Blog 9.25.15

Arguments are part of everyday life. They occur when several people disagree, and are trying to show that their opinion is superior. When people argue it is usually about a topic that is relevant to both of them. If it wasn’t relevant to them, the argument would have no purpose. When arguing, people care about defending their beliefs so much that they disregard how they are viewed by other people. The beauty of this is that it reveals people’s true identities and beliefs. In a conversation, people shy away from their own beliefs to avoid confrontation. People hide their true beliefs and agree with people for the sake of agreeing with them. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and it is important to stand by it.

As usual, it is important to identify the purpose and what it accomplishes. In terms of arguing, there are several purposes. It reveals the truth. While it may seem like people are working against each other in argument, in a sense, they are working together. When people throw their beliefs at one another it allows others to learn from it. It is important to have several points of view because it gains perspective and allows people to see the opposite side of the spectrum. The outcome of an argument can change people’s views and build self confidence in people. Thus, arguments are more beneficial than not. Some people frown upon arguments. They associate it with a negative connotation, due to the tone of voice. This is a misconception. The tone of voice only identifies the attitude of the speaker. The true judgement comes from the context.

In a class environment, arguments are encouraged but with limitations. Teachers want their students to express their beliefs but they also want to ensure that nobody gets offended. In a sense, arguing is an art. Their is a fine line between expressing yourself and offending somebody and it is important to find a good balance. In our class, we practice our arguing skills regularly in fight club. We do this because it is important to discuss controversial topics. In some cases, I am not sure of which side I support at the beginning of the argument, but after I listen to people’s arguments I always find my way. This is the true purpose of arguments. To learn and grow. To validate your beliefs or change them. The way professors respond to arguments is rather interesting. In most cases, professors let the argument run its course for those very reasons. For a change, they want to see the students learn from each other rather than their teacher. While it is important for  teachers to control the aggression, it is essential that they don’t control the passion.

Arguments define me. It’s important to defend the things you care about and not just blend into the crowd. For example, I am a huge supporter of high school sports, which is evident in my upcoming research paper. I know from experience that they give you invaluable life lessons which lead to a successful future. People who think that sports are just a waste of time are ignorant and it hits a nerve in me because they have no frame of reference. The topic is irrelevant to them! Thus, I will stand up for my values and argue until my point is across. Hopefully, it shines some light on them but that’s always the case. All in all, what a person argues about defines what they believe in.

Arguments

I feel like everyone in my life argues quite a bit. It seems that people will argue with anyone who will listen and is wiling to disagree with them on anything they say. Mainly, arguments that I hear going on focus around personal views, whether it's something serious like religion or race, or something trivial like whether football or baseball is a more quintessential American pass-time. The arguments that my peers have rarely accomplish anything because they don't actually want to debate and compare ideas, they just want to throw their "superior" ideas at other people and prove how right they are. These arguments help some people and hurt others. Overall, it helps to be surrounded by annoying arguments and foolish points of view because it helps develop maturity, much like caring for small children. However, sometimes it can hurt people because in informal arguments, not many people know how to respectfully disagree. I just returned from lunch, where my vegetarian friend got made fun of by an ignorant person because "meat is so delicious.. how can you just not ever eat any food that tastes good?", followed by that person holding their chicken nuggets in the vegetarians face and telling him to eat them. This same person argued that NASCAR is the best sport (an opinion) and was dumbfounded when people had the audacity to disagree. This particular person is not mentally mature enough to learn from arguments- he needs to learn how to compare ideas, like many others who argue incorrectly. This respect (or lack thereof) is the main factor in how formal environments like a classroom can nurture an argument. Professors in my experience are always happy to entertain a debate where both parties are genuinely interested in sharing view points and trying to better themselves, but professors rarely respond well (if at all) to students who disagree to simply prove that they know more than anyone else, instead of offering their knowledge to teach others while inviting others to do the same. Strangely, in my experience the less important the argument is (for example, coke vs pepsi), the more vicious the words are that are directed between the participants. Interestingly, some of the better arguers that I'm ever around don't ever bother getting into such trivial arguments, despite having their own personal views that disagree with others'.

The Argumentative Nature of Humans

I believe that we, as humans, have an argumentative nature. By comparing and contrasting opinions, we find the best out of the dichotomy that is an argument, whether the argument is something petty or of huge value. There are many arguments that come to mind, such as political, religious, etc. based debates that separate opinions from one another. People argue within closed discussion groups, strangers who hold up signs on streets, and even a strong debate between friends. Arguments accomplish a lot, convincing people to pick through details of each side of the argument, strengthening points while exposing weak sentiments. Arguments can cause altercations or harm, if they overstep boundaries or hit a little too close to home. In each class, professors encourage argumentation, coming across all spectrums from English to science. Encouraging people to argue and debate shows the potential of each argument while being able to hear the voice of every student. From experience, when my friends and I argue, it starts off pretty calm. It starts tenacious as we first present our points on the view, before waiting for the rebuttal of the conversation, even if the debate is about where to go grab some lunch. Conditionally, petty debates don’t go very far in a passionate way, where the arguers are red faced with energy, whereas, strong debates about serious topics such as religion, equality, race, etc. unite people within their arguments to the point that there’s groups formed (i.e. SNCC, Pro-Life Movement, etc.) Argumentation is within our nature, and without it, life would be dull. Arguing sparks a passion on people where their element is seen, and that’s something important in our culture in this day.