Response Blog 7

 Summary

     In the article called The Culture of American Advertising, the author explains some techniques on how Americans advertise their products. One of them is called "Live the Fantasy". The author claims that “America is a nation of fantasizers, often preferring the sign to substance and easily enthralled by a veritable Fantasy Island of commercials illusions”. His two believes that contradicts it are: advertisers create a consumers wish, but other’s think that it doesn’t easy. The author uses McDonald’s as an example of fantasy commercial. “McDonald’s success can be traced to the precision of its advertising”. McDonald’s creates fantasy commercials to sell burgers for children (Ronald McDonald campaign), for teen (teenagers having fun), for older and “sophisticated” consumers (“Mac Tonight” ads), and for older people (commercial that shows an elderly man going to work early at McDonalds fulfilled of energy; then he returns home to his house where his wife is waiting for him). McDonald’s advertising is called “fantasyland” because it presents a world full of fantasies that promise gratifications that happen at the same time that consumers are enjoying McDonald's food.

Response:
     I agree with the author because a fantasy technique is excellent to advertise products. Actually, we can see a lot of products that are advertised by fantasy. Some are food , cars , shoes, clothes , appliances, etc. I think the author uses an excellent example : McDonald's . Thanks to the fantasy that it use to advertise its products , many people, not only in America but around the world , know about its existence ; although its products are not of good quality. In the place where I live, (with a population of 25,000 approx.) we have very few shops , but recently the second McDonald's was inaugurated. Therefore , McDonald's continues growikng thanks to its advertising campaigns based on fantasy.

Response Blog 6

Summary

     In TSIS chapter eight, the phrase “American Dream” has different meanings. Some writers on this chapter say that the American Dream is “a dream with little chance of realization”(562); Cal Thomas replies that it “is alive and well as ever”(562); and Brandon King redefine it as “the potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future”(573). By contrast, others use mega-chain stores function (Wal-Mart) to define the American Dream; Karen Olssson says that these kinds of stores want their own benefit; they keep “employees’ salaries and benefits low...for high profits” (562), but Sebastian Mallaby says that “Wal-Mart is only doing what it must to survive in a difficult economy”(562), (low prices and better salaries and benefits). Lastly, President Barack Obama explains about “the importance to continue “the American Dream for all despite differences in race, class, and education”(563). Therefore, the “American Dream” does not have a single meaning; it could be understood for each person according to his/her environment and his/her point of view. 

Response

     I agree the most with Brandon King about his American Dream’s perspective. First, because he is a student, hi is a person of middle class (like many of us) who really knows what real life is. Also, because he knows that today economy is not at its best; he uses real examples and statistics to demonstrate it. Next, he encourages readers to never give up in order achieving their goals. Last, he suggests that we have to work hard in order to be successful. The American Dream is “the potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future”(573). In my opinion, this is the best way to achieve the “American Dream” and all goals in life.

Response Blog 5

Summary
     In TSIS book, chapter 8 tells about different ways you can connect all parts of a sentence . One of the strategies are transitions . They advice readers the direcction that your writing follows. Transitions help you to move from one sentence to another and to combine one or more sentences into one. The categories of transitions are : addition , example , elaboration , comparison , contrast , cause and effect , concession , and conclusion. "Using them is to make your writing more reader- friendly , not less" ( TSIS p . 112 ) .

Response
     In my opinion, transitions are very helpful. Transitions are easy to remember and easy to use. I try to use them in my writings because they not only help me to join sentences , but also they help me to organize better what I 'm writing. "As a result, the more you use transitions, the more you'll be able not only to connect the parts of your text but also to construct a strong argument in the first place" (TSIS p. 111).

Response Blog 4

Summary

      In “Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted”, Malcolm Gladwell tells a story about a revolution act occurred in 1960. He uses this example to show how communication has been changing over time. Years ago, communication was personal. Today people use the social networking to communicate. “The platforms of social media are built around weak ties.” People could have many “virtual friends”, but they will never have the personal interaction with them. Gladwell says that social media is helpful, but Facebook and Twitter are not necessary to organize revolution acts.

Response
I disagree with Gladwell that social media is not necessary to start a revolution. You do not need to be physically doing an activity with a group of people in order to participate and to feel motivated. Twitter helps you to follow people that probably you will never met; Facebook helps you to be close to the people with whom you cannot be close physically, but at the same time they are helpful to start a revolution. By using them, thousands of people around the world could share information on internet and passing it in just seconds. Technology helps to have done things quickly.

Response Blog 3

Summary:
     In the book "English Grammar and Usage," by Lester and Beason, the authors give advices about how to write correctly. One of them is called "Agreement with Lost Subjects." It refers on how to find the subject- verb agreement when the sentence is too long or complicated. This situation makes that the subject get lost and that the verb incorrectly relates to another word than the subject. They suggest that to avoid errors , you have "to write like third graders with short subject noun phrases" in order to understand what is the sentence about, and then you can expand the phrase.


Response.
     When I read this part of the book, I realized that when I write I do this error, and when I read I have problems to find the the subject and the agreement with the verb . One strategy that I use to do is to cross off as many prepositional phrases in the sentence. Thus I remove all unnecessary words and I just stay with the most important: the subject and the verb. So I realize if a subject-verb agreement exists.

Response Blog 2

Summary
      In a Mastery Essay, Douglas Rooss tells that born children who are not wanted has being a problem since many years ago. The main cause is the irresponsability of the couple because their are not willing to accept the consecuences of their actions. He states that young couples don't want to use birth control methods for some reasons. First, they think that pregnancy could'nt happen to them. Next, they were raised irresponsibly. Last, actual society manipulates the young to live their lives regardless of the consequences. He states that many factors relate to unwanted children , but having responsibility can reduce the problem .

 Response
      I agree with Ross. Nowadays is most common that young couples become parents. Most of the time, they don't have responsability about their life, specially in sexuality. They have inestable sexual relationships without protection. Therefore they have unwanted children and which they do not raised responsibly. This become a lifestyle and their children grow up in the same way . I also consider that society is an important factor for this problem to grow. We can help to decrease this problem by having more responsibility and by teaching future generations ( children, brothers , nephews ) to live taking responsibility and accepting the consequences of what we do.

Response blog 1

     I read an This I Believe essay entitled "Never, ever Give Up" by Mary Curran Hackett. In that, she tells that her father always gave her the advice to never give up to the difficult life situations . He demonstrated to her on many occasions that ought never to give up. He told to her: "If you give up, someone else will eat the last and only piece of bread. If you give up, you can't win...Only those who work for it, earn it. Perseverance is everything, kid. It"s the only thing." She says that she does not remember why her father was saying those words, but now she always has them in her mind when she has to solve a difficult situation. 

     It reminds me when I was a high school student. I was on finals, and I had a lot to study . I felt tired. I wanted to go out with my neighbors. They did not study, so they had the whole day off. Then, I told my mom that I do not wanted to continue studying. She stayed silent, thought for a moment, and said, " If you do not want to study, it is okay. Start looking for a job. I do not want you to become a lazy person. You do not have another option" After that, she left. I was not expecting that answer. I was speechless . I thought for a while, and I decided to continue studiyng. And so it was. Since then, I always thank her for that advice. Because she did not let me give up, today I am a professional.