Reflective Post

Communication 335 Rhetorical Criticism was a class I would have never considered taking on my own, but I really enjoyed it. The class taught me how to write papers using methods of criticism, to analyze different artifacts. I liked how we could analyze pretty much anything we wanted with these different methods. In the long run, I think it helped my writing skills, and taught me a whole new way of how to think critically, and approach artifacts from a different angle. My favorite part of this class, was hearing all of the different ideas that the classmates came up with to analyze. They came up with some of the most interesting things, that I would have never thought of. The most challenging aspect of this class, was that it was hard to grasp some of the methods. There were certain times when it was hard to understand the methods and could be challenging to apply those methods when we were writing. I can use what I did learn from this class and incorporate it into my everyday life. I could simply see a commercial, or some sort of artifact, and automatically think about, and apply a method of criticism in my head. This class has made it better for me to challenge myself and think outside of the box. I am not really sure what questions or issues I have that are pressing to me right now, but when I do, using rhetoric will allow me to challege things that are not usually challenged and view things from a different light. I really enjoyed this class, and I am sad to see it end! It was very Intriguing. I went into the class not knowing what it was about, and came out with a whole new understanding on rhetorical criticism.

Essay #2 Ideas

It has been hard for me to pick an artifact for this second essay, I have been racking my brain over it, but I decided I was going to use an idea I had at the beginning of the semester.

The artifact I am going to analyze through is www.Postsecret.com. I would analyze this artifact with Pentadic criticism. The Postsecrets is a website and a book, but since I do not have one of the books I am going to analyze the website. Postsecret.com is website where you can view all kinds of "secrets" people send in on the back of a postcard. It is a form of art, for people to be creative and express themselves through there trials/tribulations or about the good times of life, love and happiness. The postcards are anonymous sent in to the address 1335 Copper Ridge Road, Germantown Maryland to a man named frank, who started this whole tradition. The website is revealing the secrets that were sent to him. You can view the exact postcard, not just what is written on them.
Agent-the person sending the secret
Act-The secret or sending the secret
Agency-The postcard
Scene- the minds of the person sending the secret
Purpose-to expose the secrets they have kept bottled up inside.

Scene - Act: yes
Scene - agent: no
Scene - agency: yes
Scene - purpose: yes

Act - Scene: no
Act - Agent: no
Act - Agency: Yes
Act - Purpose: yes

Agent - Scene: yes
Agent-Act: yes
Agent - Agency: yes
Agent - Purpose: yes

Agency-Scene – yes
Agency - Act – yes
Agency- Agent-no
Agency-purpose-yes

Purpose-Scene: no
Purpose-act: yes
Purpose-agent: no
Purpose-agency: yes

As a result of these ratio's, the most dominant element that is the controlling term is the agent.


Another idea I thought about doing, is a song called Penny and Me by Hanson. I know Hanson is not supposed to be cool anymore, but their new music and lyrics are pretty good. I really liked this song and thought it would be good for metaphor criticism.

Cigars in the summertime under the sky by the light,
I can feel her read my mind,
I can see it in her eyes,
Under the moon as it plays,
Like music every line,
There's a rug with bleeding dye under the fan in the room,
Where the passion's burning high,
By the chair with the leopard skin under the light,
It's always Penny and me tonight (Sayin' OhOh),

On the plane step up with both my feet,
Riding in seat number 3 on a flight to NYC,
Got my bean in a coffee cup next to my seat,
Catch the view and another good book to read,
Sitting at home on the friendly sky's,
Missin' her eyes,
It's always Penny and me tonight,

Cause Penny and me like to roll the windows down,
Turn the radio up,
and push the pedal to the ground,
And Penny and me like to gaze at starry sky's,
Close our eyes, pretend to fly,It's always Penny and me tonight,

Staring at a million city lights,
But still Penny and I are all alone beneath the sky,
Feel the wind brushing slowly by,
If I could soar I would try,
to take these wings and fly,
Away to where the leaves turn red,
But no matter where I am instead,
Singin' along to feelin' alright, (MmMm) or makin' it by in the pink moonlight,
It's always Penny and me tonight,

Cause Penny and me like to roll the windows down,
Turn the radio up,
push the pedal to the ground,
And Penny and me like to gaze at starry skies,
Close our eyes, pretend to fly,
(Singing OhOh)Close our eyes pretend to fly,
It's always Penny and me tonight,

penny likes to get away,
And drown her pain, in lemonade,
And Penny Dreams Of Rainy Days,
And Nights Up Late By The Fireplace
And aimless conversations bout' the better days,

Singin' along to feeling alright,
yeah,makin' it by in the pink moonlight,
It's always Penny and me tonight,

Cause Penny and me like to roll the windows down,
Turn the radio up, push the pedal to the ground,
And Penny and me like to gaze at starry skies,
close our eyes pretend to fly,(Sing OhOh)
close our eyes pretend to fly,
It's always Penny and me tonight,Sing OhOh)

Penny and me tonight,
Penny and me tonight,Penny
and me tonight.(yeah)

I think that the song is not just talking about a girl, its talking about music, and how music is free-spirited, happy, love. Music can relate to how love and relationships can make you feel. Music can make you feel just as happy and loved as this girl "Penny" could. Music would be the Tenor and happiness and love would be the vehicle.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbowBluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbowWhy, oh why can't I?

Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland, I think, makes people think of fairytales and childhood. I thing most everyone thinks or feels something when they hear this song.

Character Theme: I, me; the song is in first person; therefore the character would be the person singing the song or reading the lyrics. The character is whoever puts themselves in the position of this song. Other characters, but not the main characters, are the birds, and bluebirds.


Setting Theme: The setting is this place “somewhere over the rainbow.” It is representing a place that is better than here, where there are no troubles. In my opinion it can be up to the audience, or listeners, or up to the character. It is a place out there that you envision is better and where there are no stressed.

Action Theme: There is a better place somewhere out there, you just have to hold out hope and eventually you will get there. This song backs up the theme of “The grass is always greener on the other side.” This song is the search for something good and helps portray that image of that better place to you. If you are ever upset this song helps to remind you that there is something better and to hold onto hope for it.