Week 2: Classical rhetoric frames to think about writing
Happy Monday!
We will go here, a link on this Squarespace site (Slides, under Visuals) to review ways to think about writing. We will work through most of this this week. Hint: some of this material is familiar -- logos, pathos, ethos -- for example. Other items will make sense because Aristotle's approach (mostly him but other Greeks like Plato, Socrates, and even Hermanagoras) reflect the way the human mind approaches complexity.
Placing here the ones we start with-->
Aristotle's proofs or appeals: Logos, pathos, ethos
Three ways of thinking about audience (Aristotle-based, with modern gloss)
Set 1: Rhetorical Traingle of Audience, Context, Purpose
Set 2: Audience Analysis by Relationships (commentary on Set 1 frame; FIXED!)
Deepening audience analysis theory
Burke's Pentad (Dramatism Approach)
Triangles to Information Theory (Shannon/early comp sci)
We will talk about the level of reading (Google Doc) required here, which is an important skill.
We need to note -- however briefly -- how the code of science is under attack as is the US Constitution and our very government, from within (and without).
Did you complete the slide set (re-linking here)? Related: brief nod to how document design can help you read well, including here!
AI graphic case (via ChatGPT and Patron the explosives dog on Twitter). Here is his November '24 Twitter post re his request to the AI-->
Quick and ominous (pathos within analysis, which is logos) visual from studying how the Smoot-Hawley Act triggered the 1929/30 crash and depression. This image, widely reproduced is from the political economist Kindleberger (Wikipedia entry is good overview)-->
PREVIEW of Wed concerns Eli Review-->
Students
Tasks – the assignments
Marybeth Shea
Happy Wednesday. Looks to be icy tomorrow, so keep a weather-eye out!
Today, we go back to Monday and pick up the slides re classical/modern rhetoric. We need critical THINKING tools for writing, as well as writing CRAFT lessons.
Meanwhile, my goodness. I tried Claude at Anthropic--> Here is what Claude did for me based on my prompt:
I want drawings for "Hello Kitty" style PLUS "Year of the Snake" lunar new year paper lanterns. Thank you.
I'll create an SVG design combining Hello Kitty's cute aesthetic with traditional Chinese paper lantern elements for the Year of the Snake.
I'll create an SVG design combining Hello Kitty's cute aesthetic with traditional Chinese paper lantern elements for the Year of the Snake.
```svg<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 400 500"> <!-- Base Lantern --> <path d="M100 80 L300 80 L320 420 L80 420 Z" fill="#ff6b6b"/> <path d="M80 420 L320 420 L300 460 L100 460 Z" fill="#ff5252"/> <!-- Top decorative element --> <path d="M140 40 L260 40 L300 80 L100 80 Z" fill="#ff5252"/> <rect x="190" y="10" width="20" height="30" fill="#4a4a4a"/> <!-- Hello Kitty Face --> <circle cx="200" cy="200" r="70" fill="white"/> <circle cx="175" cy="190" r="8" fill="black"/> <circle cx="225" cy="190" r="8" fill="black"/> <!-- Nose --> <circle cx="200" cy="210" r="5" fill="#ffb6c1"/> <!-- Whiskers --> <line x1="160" y1="210" x2="130" y2="200" stroke="black" stroke-width="2"/> <line x1="160" y1="210" x2="130" y2="210" stroke="black" stroke-width="2"/> <line x1="160" y1="210" x2="130" y2="220" stroke="black" stroke-width="2"/> <line x1="240" y1="210" x2="270" y2="200" stroke="black" stroke-width="2"/> <line x1="240" y1="210" x2="270" y2="210" stroke="black" stroke-width="2"/> <line x1="240" y1="210" x2="270" y2="220" stroke="black" stroke-width="2"/> <!-- Bow --> <path d="M180 140 L220 140 L200 160 Z" fill="#ff69b4"/> <circle cx="200" cy="140" r="10" fill="#ff69b4"/> <!-- Snake Design --> <path d="M120 280 Q200 250 280 280 Q200 310 120 280" fill="#8bc34a"/> <path d="M130 275 Q200 250 270 275 Q200 300 130 275" fill="#4caf50"/> <circle cx="270" cy="275" r="5" fill="black"/> <!-- Snake eye --> <path d="M275 275 L285 270 L285 280 Z" fill="red"/> <!-- Snake tongue --> <!-- Chinese Character for Snake --> <path d="M180 340 L220 340 M200 320 L200 360 M190 350 Q200 330 210 350" stroke="gold" stroke-width="3" fill="none"/> <!-- Decorative Patterns --> <circle cx="150" cy="380" r="15" fill="none" stroke="gold" stroke-width="2"/> <circle cx="250" cy="380" r="15" fill="none" stroke="gold" stroke-width="2"/> <!-- Tassels --> <path d="M100 460 L90 500 M120 460 L110 500 M280 460 L290 500 M300 460 L310 500" stroke="#ffd700" stroke-width="2"/></svg>
```
I've created a design that combines Hello Kitty's signature cute style with Year of the Snake elements in a traditional paper lantern format. The design includes:
1. A red lantern base with classic tapered shape2. Hello Kitty's iconic face with whiskers and pink bow3. A cute stylized snake in green with simple, friendly features4. The Chinese character for "snake" in gold5. Traditional lantern elements like: - Gold decorative patterns - Tassels at the bottom - A hanging element at the top
Would you like me to modify any part of the design? I could:- Adjust the colors- Add more traditional patterns- Modify the snake design- Change the size or positioning of elements
Marybeth Shea
Happy Friday. Today, we loop back to Monday/Wednesday and grab a few ideas in the links.
Have you been skim reading?
Did you do the self-assessment of AI with your two questions?
Here is one extended use case for generative AI in a Google Doc for us to consider (did this with a group of grad students).
And, we are in Lunar New Year days. To all who celebrate, enjoy the food and festivities, with hopes for a gorgeously interesting year. One of Claude's intermediate versions of what we looked at Wednesday. Bottom line: Users need good prompts and patience to work with AI.
