REHUGO

=The Overachievers Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: Robbins, Alexandra. //The Overachievers:// The Secret Life of Driven Kids. New York: Hyperion, 2006. Print.

Category: Reading

Alexandra Robbins, a well known author, in her novel //The Overachievers// implies that one's future can be harmed from their habits by claiming that the physical and mental health of an overachiever is at risk. Robbins uniquely describes the lives of a handful of children attending the highschool she went to, as a teenager, while displaying the social and learning contrasts between each student. Her purpose is not only to share the horrifically stressful lives of the overachieving students, but to inform her audience of the harm that a life such as theirs can bring upon anyone. Robbins wrote her novel for an audience who knows what life is like as an overachiever.

Personal commentary: This novel really caught my interest because I've never been an overachiever in school, and it was a surprise to see how life is so much different between the students in her book and me. It also made me realize how hard some friends of mine and I have to work to keep up our grades.

=While They Slept Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: Harrison, Kathryn. //While they slept: an inquiry into the murder of a family//. New York: Random House, 2008. Print.

Category: Reading

Kathryn Harrison, a bestselling author, in her novel //While They Slept// implies that a tragic incident can seperate life into a beginning and end by claiming that one's personality is changed after such a catastrophic event. Harrison studied the relationship between Jody gilley and herself to find how similar their lives are to eachother. Her purpose was not only to explain the contrast between Jody's life before and after the massacre of her family, but to inform the reader of scenarios that could explain why Billy Gilley murdered his fmaily. She engages the reader into the mind of Jody to help them understand what she went through in her life.

Personal Commentary: I felt this book really reach out to me. It showed how terrible situations can become if they arent taken care of. I felt more sorry for Billy and Jody rather than anger because they went through so much by dealing with their parents.

=Thinking As a Hobby Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: Golding, William, "Thinking as a Hobby." //The Norton Reader//, //Shorter Eleventh Edition.// Ed. Linda H. Peterson and John C. Brereton. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2004. 124 - 130.

Category: Reading

William Golding, a phenomenal writer, in his short story //Thinking as a Hobby// claims that there are three levels of thinkers by suggesting that each level of thinking has different characteristics. Golding explains how his level of thinking changed, as he grew older, by demonstrating his thoughts of how his teacher's statuettes compared to the meaning of life. His purpose was to challenge other people to become great thinkers like him. Golding intended to write this story for intellectuals, the emotional crowd, and people who are just like him.

Personal Commentary: I didn't necessarily enjoy reading this short story because it was something that doesnt interest me. I'm more of a social person, and someone that Golding would would put in the "emotional crowd". I didn't enjoy reading all of the rude, sarcastic remarks either.

=Washington and Wheatley Rhetorical Precis=

Category: Reading

Phillis Wheatley and Washington, a woman slave and a famous general, in her poem //To his excellency, General Washington// asserts that America trusts in Washington with all they have by claiming that she is a humble servant who has taken the freedom to stand up and speak her voice. Wheatley builds her poem with numerous compliments and a praising tone. Her purpose was not only to be respectful and admiring to Washington, but to have the general in her favor. Wheatley wrote this to persuade her audience, Washington, into keeping America a free country.

Personal Commentary: I found this poem to be incredibly hard to understand. The words used in this poem are confusing and dont make sense to me, Also, Wheatley seemed to be creepily admiring to Washington. This was something I found to be weird about this poem.

=Give the Kids a Break Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: Rushin, Steve. "Give the Kids a Break." Recess. Sports Illustrated. Mass., Attleboro. 21 June 2006. Reading. \

Category: Reading

Steve Rushin, in his article //Give the Kids a Break// argues against how schools across America are taking away recess from children at such an early age by claiming that kids need a break from their stressful school lives. Rushin shares multiple facts about the decrease in recess times and how some schools have gotten rid of recess completely. His purpose is not only to bring awarenes to the recess situation but to inform the audience about the break that all kids need in order to help the children. Rushin intended to write this article for students who feel like they are over worked and wish to do something about rescuin recess.

Personal Commentary: This article was incredibly interesting. Since recess stopped in sixth grade for me, this made me realized how cheated I was. It wouldve been less stressful if us students had a break in our day, especially now that we're in high school.

=Food Inc. Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: //Food, Inc.//. Dir. Robert Kenner. Perf. Eric Schlosser. Magnolia Home Entertainment, 2009. Film.

Category: Documentary Film

Robert Kenner, a well known director, in his documentary __Food Inc.__ implies that food industries have started to deteriorate in quality by claiming that food is not being priduced the way it was ten years ago. Kenner shares statistically correct facts in chronological order that convinces the audience that food is produced poorly in the modern day. His purpose is not only to expose the food industry of its low quality but to inform the audience about what they have been eating in order to create a healthier way of living. The intended audience were people who eat meat or people who don't know what they're eating.

Personal Commentary: This documentary was fascinating to watch because i never would have expected such cruelty coming from "farmers", otherwise known as factory workers.

=Growing Up Online Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: //Frontline: Growing Up Online//. Dir. Rachel Dretzin. Perf. Lisa Furnish. PBS, 2008. Film.

Category: Documentary film

Rachel Dretzin, in her documentary film //Growing Up Online// claims that the internet can be used for good but is looked upon as a bad thing by suggesting that teenagers have created an alterior life online. Dretzin shares multiple interviews on personal stories about their experience with the internet while displaying the contrast between each story. Her purpose was to expose the problems that are occuring online in order to prevent them in the future. The intended audience are teenagers and the parents of teenagers.

Personal Commentary: This was and interesting documentary because it showed all of the different responses people have to the internet, some good and some bad.

=Patrick Henry's speech to The Virginia Convention Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: Widmer, Edward L.. //American speeches: political oratory from Patrick Henry to Barack Obama//. Richmond: Library of America Paperback Classics ;, 2011. Print.

Category: History

Patrick Henry, a member of the House of Burgessesin hi//s Speech to the Virginia Convention// claims that freedom is more important than anything by suggesting that America should fight for its independance. Henry uses biblical references to support convince the Christian population that independance is the only thing that truly matters. His purpose was to emphasize the importance of freedom in order to create a positive effect on his country. Henry's intended audience was the colony's delegates.

Personal commentart: The historical speech was interesting because I was able to catch things such as biblical referances that i never noticed before.

=Of the Origin and Design of Government Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: Paine, Thomas, and Thomas Paine. //Common sense//. Charlottesville, Va.: University of Virginia Library ;, 1993. Print.

Category: reading, history

Thomas Paine, a revolutionary author, in his book //Common Sense// argues that government and the people support and depend on eachother by claiming that they will mutually and naturally support eachother. Paine emphasizes the most important items in his book, such as electors and power, to support his thesis. His purpose was to inform the audience of the outrage of a power hungry government in order to make the readers understand what is really going on in his country. Paine's intended audience was the citizens of america who were not informed of the government.

Personal commentary: History is not one of my favorite subjects but this book was kind of entertaining because of all the emphasis Thomas Paine used to prove his point.

=The Declaration of Independance Rhetorical Precis=

Citation: Latham, Earl. //The Declaration of Independance and the Constitution//. Rev. ed. Lexington, Mass.: D. C. Heath, 1956. Print

Category: History

Thomas Jefferson, in his document //The Declaration of Independance// claims that he and his country need to be freed from England by suggesting that they are being oppressed by their Brittish ruler. Jefferson uses litererary elements such as repetition to emphasize the need of freedom for his country. His purpose was to prove how it is possible to gain independance, even when it seems to be impossible. Jefferson's intended audience was the Brittish Parliament.

Personal commentary: Personally, historical documents are not interesting to me, but it's fascinating to see how certain people can come together to fight for their country.