The Rhetoric of Bottled Water

Please enjoy the photoessay below. Although there is no dialect, I have tried to make the message clear through carefully selected pictures of rhetorical nature.

Over this last semester, my fellow English 1312 classmates, our instructor, and I, sacrificed our Saturday afternoons in pursuit of a better understanding of the meaning of rhetoric. Although it was quite difficult to muster up the motivation neccessary to make it to the three hour class, our efforts were almost always rewarded with a productive and entertaining classroom experience that seemed far shorter than it was in actuality. I am sure my fellow students will agree with me when I say that the class prompted us to pursue and understanding of rhetoric that would not have been achievable without the indepenedant research and critical thought that was required of us throughout the class. With this in mind, I wish to thank our instructor, Mrs. Ramirez, for challenging our intellect while motivating us with positive energy and enthusiam.

Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson, together?? on a couch!!???

I have a dream. That liberals and conservatives can live together, play together, and protect the climate together. In this commercial produced by "WeCanSolveIt.org," an organization sponsored by former President Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection, my dream was realized. Although most politically balanced individuals like myself do not wholeheartedly agree with either of these religious and political figureheads, the fact that conservation and climate protection now knows no political alignment is enlightening. After many years of conservation and climate protection efforts being politically labeled as an interest of the "Green" party, Big Tent politics has finally emerged from its cloud of ignorance to see the ever increasing importance of conservation. Protecting the environment isn't just for tree-hugging hippies anymore.

expensive water

Colbert Report on Water Purification

The above video addresses an impending international crisis, a shortage of potable water. The video states that over 50% of disease worldwide is caused by contaminated water. Through the use of the showcased filter-free water purifier, it seems as though science has found a solution to the future "water crisis." However, it must be considered that the machine produces deionized or distilled water, water that has been clinically proven to shorten ones lifespan due to its tendency to increase blood acidity. While this water purification system may seem like an effective solution for the lack of potable water, it may only create further health related problems caused by the consumption of "soft" distilled water.

In the picture above FIJI makes a crystal clear statement, that's almost as crisp as their product. Through the extensive use of their cool light blue's and green's coupled with the statement "untouched by man," the advertisors are clearly attempting to persuade their audience of Fiji water's purity. With this kind of extrememly strategic advertizing, it is no wonder Fiji water has become a sort of status symbol in popular culture.

Genesis of Post-Modern Society

This is a little collage I put together to metaphorically describe the evolution of society. Tell me what you think. I don't really know if it could be considered rhetorical though, as I did not intend to modify mindsets for change or further discourse. This image, however, is more a collection of several different rhetorical images that each carry their own distinct message. the picture is mean to be read from the center--out on the top row, the right side--middle row or left side--middle row, than from right to left on the bottom row.