Mobile Homes and Bushisms

Before attending Rebekah's presentation, I was unaware that South Carolina has the largest number of mobile homes per capita (her study certainly had an epideictic effect on me). Reflecting on this startling statistic, I believe that my naivety is due in part to having lived my entire life to this point in the South and assuming that mobile homes were as prevalent in every member of the United States. Rebekah did an excellent job establishing her ethos with her objective research (she presented both sides of the debate-those for and those against mobile homes, those embracing and those rejecting the stereotype), personal investigation (pictures taken by herself), personal interest, and architecture background although she has never actually inhabited this type of housing. Her pathos and audience appeal were successful since all of those listening, if not from South Carolina, were somehow bound to the state because of attending Clemson University. Logos was achieved through the refusal to simply denounce the stereotypes and rather to contemplate opportunities for reform that could make the stereotype a positive one. In this way too I believe Rebekah was deliberative and her telos was clear.

David surprised me with the topic of his presentation. I was expecting something a bit different from the traditional analysis we have been performing all semester, or at least a more exciting approach. However, he correctly and consistently followed the steps of analysis and applied the course content. It might have been a good idea to limit the number of speeches analyzed, although it they somehow tied in with the overall telos (though what that was I am unsure) I am sure it is fine. Ethos...this is tough. I suppose most of David's ethos comes from the fact that he is taking the course and is a citizen. He also did a good job of qualifying many of the judgments he made. The presentation contained pathos since it addressed an audience who voted and is currently under the effects of the man who is our president. David also used humor. I do not believe that the presentation was very epideictic since the events of the presidency and the praise and criticisms of the president are all available and continuously publicized and scrutinized. Along with the telos, I believe the logos of the presentation was lost somewhere.