Final Visual Rhetoric

Carlo Cedrix De Castro

Professor Jen Fleischer

English 1A

21 March 2014

Keep her on a Leash

             The 3-D model I have created for this project is of a pimp with a leash around a girl who is his prostitute. The girl is made out of white play-doh with blonde hair made out of yellow play-doh. The white play-doh is supposed to represent her innocence as well as her skin, with the yellow play-doh representing the youth of the woman since her hair still has color. Inside the body are skinny toothpicks that are providing support for the model as well as showing that she is weak right and cannot live without her pimp since all her life, she has been dependent on him.

            Around her neck is a leash that I have made out of foil. The leash is to represent that the pimp has total control over the girl as well as acting as the chain of corruption; the pimp has the leash around her neck, controlling what she sees and east, corrupting her and making her ignorant to the fact of the life she could be living. Foil was used as a material for the leash because its a metal that is dense and hard to break. This is supposed to reinforce the fact that he has control over her. Granted foil is a very thin metal, which is why I used multiple sheets to make it denser.

            I made the pimp using purple play-doh since that's what pimps stereotypically wear. The body also has toothpicks to provide support, but these toothpicks are denser to show that he is not as weak as the prostitute and that he is educated of the system that they are currently in.

            I feel that it has an emotional appeal since it targets the aspect of human trafficking. No one really likes to see people controlled beyond their will and to see a woman in pain with her pimp having total control over her and not taking adequate care of her, can cause a deep image to those who see the image. Intended audience-wise, I feel that its supposed to be anyone that's mature enough to understand the situation at hand and the world we live in.

            The message that my object conveys is that pimps have total control over their prostitutes , but keep in mind that the prostitutes didn't ask for that and are held back by their dependence on the pimp.  As far has effectiveness, I feel that my object conveys this message adequately since it touches upon the aspects of the message I have given. Granted that the toothpick aspect cant be seen since the play-doh is covering it, but its still there and giving its meaning just the same.

            My 3-D genre is very different compared to the other 3 texts from my previous assignment which were a rap song, an encyclopedia article, and a picture of what one prostitute was wearing. One difference being is that its a 3-D model, and not a 2-D one. With the 3-D model, there's another part of the piece that you have to consider, since you have a 720 degree view on the object. The other genres didn't have that aspect which made them have to excel in other areas. Another difference is the lack of words. In the rap song, the rap artist used repetition on certain words to place emphasis on them to bold out the meaning of the song, while the encyclopedia article used statistics and quotes to convey its information. Even the picture has words to tell since they say "A picture is worth a thousand words." This 3-D model has no words to convey which makes the meaning it gives to every individual who looks at it possibly different.

            Throughout making this genre, I had various troubles making this 3-D model. One being trying to come up with a way to support the play-doh bodies and having them stand up without completely falling apart due to having no limbs within the bodies. That's where the idea of toothpicks came in and the meaning behind it. They would be placed in the bodies and act as bones to provide support to the body. Even though it wouldn't be visible on the outside, I wanted the toothpicks to have a symbolic meaning as well,which is why I made the pimp's bones denser than the prostitute's.  Another challenge I had was figuring out what colors of play-doh I wanted to use. Like the toothpicks, I wanted this to have symbolic meaning as well; this made it somewhat difficult on which play-doh pack I needed to buy since the packs were too colorful and didn't have a lot of plain colors at the local store.

            The 3-D modal I have took a good amount of time for me personally to create. The meaning behind the objects that were used when creating the model are significant to the message I was trying to convey which is "Prostitutes are being controlled beyond their will by their pimp, but can;t do anything about it since they are too dependent on them". Every different item used has meaning that contributes to the message and for these reasons, I feel that I deserve an A on this assignment. 

Detailed Description of Model

The model is of a pimp with a leash around a girl who is his prostitute

I have a girl made out of white playdoh with blonde hair made out of yellow playdoh. The white playdoh is supposed to represent her innocence as well as her skin, with the yellow playdoh representing the youth of the woman since her hair still has color. Inside the body are toothpicks that are providing support for the model and as well as showing that she is weak right now and cannot live without her pimp since all her life she has bee dependent on him.

Around her neck is a leash that I made out of foil. The leash is to represent that the pimp has total control over the girl as well as acting as a chain of corruption; the pimp has the leash around her neck, controlling what she sees and eats, corrupting her and making her ignorant to the fact of the live she could be living. Foil being used as a material for the leash because its a metal that is dense and hard to break. This is supposed to reinforce the fact that he has control over her. Granted foil is a very thin metal, which is why I used multiple sheets to make it denser. 

I made the pimp using purple playdoh  since that's what pimps stereotypically wear. The body also has toothpicks it to provide support, but the toothpicks are made of a denser wood to show that he is not as weak as the prostitute and that he is educated of the system they are currently in.

final draft

Carlo Cedrix De Castro

Professor Jen Fleischer

English 1A

4 March 2014

What Dat Mouf Do?

            “I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone- if possible- Jew, Gentile- black man- white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness- not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls...”. This quote by Charlie Chaplin in “The Great Dictator's speech” really speaks about a lot of things. In a way it can reflect our society in regards to prostitution, which has been an ugly side. Women are abducted and abused everyday by players in the prostitution game known as pimps, and are forced into making money for them by engaging in sexual activities with random strangers. To reflect on the subject, here are three different sources: a song from the perspective of a prostitute by Kendrick Lamar titled “Keisha's Song”, an entry from the Britannica Encyclopedia, and a picture of what items a prostitute carries.  

            The rap song Keisha’s Song by Kendrick Lamar tells the story of Keisha, a 17-year old girl on Long Beach Blvd. who was pimped by her step-father and how she deals with life every day. The tone on this song is logical and mysterious; it really makes you think about the lyrics and the meaning behind the words. To really put meaning behind the song, he uses references to other songs that have conveyed similar ideas (i.e Tupac’s Brenda’s Got a Baby) , repetition to display emphasis on certain words like “blow” , “lord” and “block away from “Lueders Park”. This creates visual meaning to the reader, allowing them to connect to Keisha and what she’s going through. The intended audience is the younger generation, anywhere from age 10-30 because Kendrick is talking about issues that are relevant to that generation. People older or younger than that age group are not concerned with how the girl feels being trapped in the younger generation. Kendrick comes from Compton, CA, the area similar to where Keisha lives in the song. He grew up as a straight A- Student in high school but was surrounded by a toxic area that he would one day come back to try to change when he was successful in the future. This makes him credible because he knows the tough experiences first hand. The main argument is that you shouldn’t be ignorant to the fact that the world we live in is a ugly place and that you need to keep that in mind in order to protect yourself. This is shown by the last line in Keisha’s Song where he tells us that he made her little sister listen to the song so that she knows how it really is.

            The Britannica Encyclopedia entry for prostitution has a layout of a basic encyclopedia entry: details about the word, how it was used back in time dated a few centuries, and usage in cultures around the world. The tone is formal because it’s an educational source and needs to give the vibe of a credible source. The language is formal as well, but uses words that are easy to understand as to not confuse the reader. If any complicated words are used, however, they make sure to provide definitions on the spot. There are no visuals for this entry, unless you consider ads for “Xfinity” and “AAA Insurance” visuals, then yes, they do provide them. The intended reader can be anyone who is interested in prostitutes, whether you are like me and need to use it for a report, or need it to know whether the local girl in your town likely has an STD.  The author’s credibility is respectable as author John Philip Jenkins has written numerous academic pieces with an extensive resume to boot.  The types of examples he provides are that he writes about the definition followed by telling usage in Europe, U.S., and Asia and how they are related by showing similarities. The main message is to show how prostitution was used early in the 19^th century and how it has been used over time.

            In this picture, the layout is just a display of what a local “working girl” was carrying as she was arrested. The tone is dark and disturbing as it shows you the truth of the girl; the shoes to attract, the money for her “daddy”, the phone from her “daddy” for her “daddy”, and condoms for her “usuals”. The use of visuals provides a meaningful message in this picture because they show how she goes about her life while working. The intended viewer is anyone interested in prostitution because it just shows the general idea of the standard items these kinds of girls carry. The main message is just to inform the audience of what these girls carry and to give an idea of what kind of lives these girls live through.

            The three sources in a way are very similar. In all three, the tone is very serious and it trying to deliver a message to you. The intended reader is for anyone interested in prostitution for their personal reasons, whether it be educational or recreational. All of the authors are from credible backgrounds, and provide examples. The main message of all three sources is to show how prostitution really is.

            However, like the ying-yang, every similarity comes a difference. The layout of the three are all different; one being a song, another an encyclopedia entry and the other being a picture. The language differs as well, with the song having casual language as to appeal to the heart; the encyclopedia entry to appeal to the brain, and the picture appealing to the eyes. Each appeals to a different human sense and make the message they are trying to convey powerful in their own way.

            Personally, I feel that a powerful message makes a particular “text” especially effective/persuasive because meaning behind messages gets into the heads of your audience and makes them want to reflect back on the message you were trying to convey and having them decipher it. For example, in Kendrick’s “Keisha’s Song”, he uses repetition and symbols to get his message across about Keisha and how her prostitution has influenced her; in one verse of the song, he says “And lord knows shes beautiful, lord knows the usuals that leaving her body sore”.  In this line, Kendrick says how the lord knows that she’s a wonderful, beautiful girl and how the “usuals” are hurting her through the prostitution game. Its also worth noting that the word “usuals” is usually used to refer to patrons of businesses like barbershops, restaurants, or bars, but in this verse, he uses the “usuals” to describe men who are regulars of the working girls.

            Of the three documents, I feel that “Keisha’s Song” has the most effective message because prostitution is becoming an issue for the younger generation and the song is targeted towards that era. Also, the meaning behind his words and the visuals he creates through emphasis, repetition and symbols makes this a song that sticks to your mind and makes you think about the meaning behind the words. On the other side of the argues though, I feel that the picture was the weakest link in terms of giving the least effective message because all it was was a picture of the items the girl was carrying. They say a picture gives 1000 words, but I feel that that picture needed more. I’m not saying it wasn’t effective but in comparison to the encyclopedia entry and the song, it falls in meaning.

            This assignment required us to get 3 texts from three different genres but texts from the same genre are not always similar. I feel that it will be this case because everyone has a different vision of a genre: not everyone is the same and the same can be said for writing styles and use of the mind: not everyone thinks and writes the same. Everyone takes a different approach and sees things in different ways. A good example would be in songs: there are different music categories but not every song sounds the same. The lyrics/message might be similar, but how it sounds will be way different, unless it’s a mix tape which will use the same beat, but still different message.

            When I first started this assignment, I had to analyze three different genres in order to compare and contrast ways in which each text employs various writing conventions. Overall, I feel that the relationship between the text, what it says, and how it says it are connected based on the author’s commitment to the topic. If the author/writer feels strongly about the subject, then he/she will find the most effective way to get his/her message across to the audience they want.  For example, in the encyclopedia entry, Jenkins was simply writing about it to inform, therefore his message was effective. Same goes for Kendrick in that he wrote it to inform, as well as entertain his audience, which resulted in another effective message, just in a different fashion.

            In general, I feel that the types of texts we read do impact us as individuals and society because we are based on social media. Everything we see and read usually has to deal with the world and without reading; we would be ignorant to the world and what society has to offer to us. In light of the issue of prostitution, I feel that it will always be around as long as there is a demand for it.

2nd draft

Carlo Cedrix De Castro

Professor Jen Fleischer

English 1A

4 March 2014

What Dat Mouf Do?

     “I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone- if possible- Jew, Gentile- black man- white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness- not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls...”. This quote by Charlie Chaplin in “The Great Dictator's speech” really speaks about a lot of things. In a way it can reflect our society in regards to prostitution, which has been an ugly side. Women are abducted and abused everyday by players in the prostitution game known as pimps, and are forced into making money for them by engaging in sexual activities with random strangers. To reflect on the subject, here are three different sources: a song from the perspective of a prostitute by Kendrick Lamar titled “Keisha's Song”, an entry from the Britannica Encyclopedia, and a picture of what items a prostitute carries.  

            The rap song Keisha’s Song by Kendrick Lamar tells the story of Keisha, a 17-year old girl on Long Beach Blvd. who was pimped by her step-father and how she deals with life every day. The tone on this song is logical and mysterious; it really makes you think about the lyrics and the meaning behind the words. To really put meaning behind the song, he uses references to other songs that have conveyed similar ideas (i.e Tupac’s Brenda’s Got a Baby) , repetition to display emphasis on certain words like “blow” , “lord” and “block away from “Lueders Park”. This creates visual meaning to the reader, allowing them to connect to Keisha and what she’s going through. The intended audience is the younger generation, anywhere from age 10-30 because Kendrick is talking about issues that are relevant to that generation. People older or younger than that age group are not concerned with how the girl feels being trapped in the younger generation. Kendrick comes from Compton, CA, the area similar to where Keisha lives in the song. He grew up as a straight A- Student in high school but was surrounded by a toxic area that he would one day come back to try to change when he was successful in the future. This makes him credible because he knows the tough experiences first hand. The main argument is that you shouldn’t be ignorant to the fact that the world we live in is a ugly place and that you need to keep that in mind in order to protect yourself. This is shown by the last line in Keisha’s Song where he tells us that he made her little sister listen to the song so that she knows how it really is.

            The Britannica Encyclopedia entry for prostitution has a layout of a basic encyclopedia entry: details about the word, how it was used back in time dated a few centuries, and usage in cultures around the world. The tone is formal because it’s an educational source and needs to give the vibe of a credible source. The language is formal as well, but uses words that are easy to understand as to not confuse the reader. If any complicated words are used, however, they make sure to provide definitions on the spot. There are no visuals for this entry, unless you consider ads for “Xfinity” and “AAA Insurance” visuals, then yes, they do provide them. The intended reader can be anyone who is interested in prostitutes, whether you are like me and need to use it for a report, or need it to know whether the local girl in your town likely has an STD.  The author’s credibility is respectable as author John Philip Jenkins has written numerous academic pieces with an extensive resume to boot.  The types of examples he provides are that he writes about the definition followed by telling usage in Europe, U.S., and Asia and how they are related by showing similarities. The main message is to show how prostitution was used early in the 19^th century and how it has been used over time.

            In this picture, the layout is just a display of what a local “working girl” was carrying as she was arrested. The tone is dark and disturbing as it shows you the truth of the girl; the shoes to attract, the money for her “daddy”, the phone from her “daddy” for her “daddy”, and condoms for her “usuals”. The use of visuals provides a meaningful message in this picture because they show how she goes about her life while working. The intended viewer is anyone interested in prostitution because it just shows the general idea of the standard items these kinds of girls carry. The main message is just to inform the audience of what these girls carry and to give an idea of what kind of lives these girls live through.

            Personally, I feel that a powerful message makes a particular “text” especially effective/persuasive because meaning behind messages gets into the heads of your audience and makes them want to reflect back on the message you were trying to convey and having them decipher it. For example, in Kendrick’s “Keisha’s Song”, he uses repetition and symbols to get his message across about Keisha and how her prostitution has influenced her; in one verse of the song, he says “And lord knows shes beautiful, lord knows the usuals that leaving her body sore”.  In this line, Kendrick says how the lord knows that she’s a wonderful, beautiful girl and how the “usuals” are hurting her through the prostitution game. Its also worth noting that the word “usuals” is usually used to refer to patrons of businesses like barbershops, restaurants, or bars, but in this verse, he uses the “usuals” to describe men who are regulars of the working girls.

            Of the three documents, I feel that “Keisha’s Song” has the most effective message because prostitution is becoming an issue for the younger generation and the song is targeted towards that era. Also, the meaning behind his words and the visuals he creates through emphasis, repetition and symbols makes this a song that sticks to your mind and makes you think about the meaning behind the words. On the other side of the argues though, I feel that the picture was the weakest link in terms of giving the least effective message because all it was was a picture of the items the girl was carrying. They say a picture gives 1000 words, but I feel that that picture needed more. I’m not saying it wasn’t effective but in comparison to the encyclopedia entry and the song, it falls in meaning.

            This assignment required us to get 3 texts from three different genres but texts from the same genre are not always similar. I feel that it will be this case because everyone has a different vision of a genre: not everyone is the same and the same can be said for writing styles and use of the mind: not everyone thinks and writes the same. Everyone takes a different approach and sees things in different ways. A good example would be in songs: there are different music categories but not every song sounds the same. The lyrics/message might be similar, but how it sounds will be way different, unless it’s a mix tape which will use the same beat, but still different message.

            When I first started this assignment, I had to analyze three different genres in order to compare and contrast ways in which each text employs various writing conventions. Overall, I feel that the relationship between the text, what it says, and how it says it are connected based on the author’s commitment to the topic. If the author/writer feels strongly about the subject, then he/she will find the most effective way to get his/her message across to the audience they want.  For example, in the encyclopedia entry, Jenkins was simply writing about it to inform, therefore his message was effective. Same goes for Kendrick in that he wrote it to inform, as well as entertain his audience, which resulted in another effective message, just in a different fashion.

            In general, I feel that the types of texts we read do impact us as individuals and society because we are based on social media. Everything we see and read usually has to deal with the world and without reading; we would be ignorant to the world and what society has to offer to us.