Propaganda Techniques in Today's Advertising by Ann McClintock

Before reading this writing by Ann McClintock, I was not aware of how many advertising claims I was exposed to throughout the day but now that I think of it, it is very true. I could relate to having seen all seven of the basic types or propaganda. I see these types of propaganda the second that I turn on the television or go onto the internet. Propaganda is everywhere. Corporations are always trying to get you to buy their product by relating to you in some way, shape, or form. Propaganda plays a huge part in Americans’ everyday lives; we cannot go one day or one hour without being bombarded by advertisements on television, radio, billboards, magazines, newspapers etc. I hate when I am watching television for one minute and then it goes right back to commercial. There is no reason why there should be more commercials than the television show itself. I do not even listen to the radio anymore because of the commercials in between one or two songs. I cannot stand it when all I am listening to is propaganda being shoved down my throat. I agree with all that Ann McClintock has to say about propaganda and how bad it is becoming.


Kathleen Flynn 

Freewriting by Peter Elbow

After reading this short story by Peter Elbow, I have developed a new way to keep myself from coming down with writer’s block in the middle of an essay. Although I will still edit my essay as I go, I can now write a little more freely. I wouldn’t be able to free write as Elbow says to because I like to keep my essays clean and I have to edit them as I go. The ‘automatic writing,” “babbling,” or “jabbering” exercises will used on a regular basis by me now that I know they will help me in my writing process. Writer’s block always happens to me but I now I have a way to escape it. Peter Elbow is a very smart man and his free writing idea will be used by me from now on. It will make me a better writer and it will allow me to be a little more creative each and every time I do the little exercises. He also states that most people edit away their written unacceptable thoughts and feelings, we don’t do that when we speak, so why do it when we write? Yes, editing is easier when there isn’t someone right there waiting for an answer but that editing may inhibit what we really want to say. Elbow has not got me thinking about the editing process in writing and his free writing tips will be on my mind when I write my next paper. 

How to Mark a Book by Mortimer Adler

                In my opinion, Mortimer Adler is an extremely intelligent man in every sentence that he wrote in his essay. In my past experiences, I have had a lot of trouble marking in my beloved books because I have so very many of them and I love them all so much. After reading what Adler had to say, my habit of not writing in the book will change. I have learned that writing, scribbling, or highlighting in the book will allow me to grasp the story or essay that I am reading more than I ever would have without writing in it. i agree with everything that Mortimer Adler had to say about marking in a book and I have learned a great deal about how to do it. I was never quite sure what phrases or sentences I should highlight but not I am confident that what I do highlight will be useful in the future. What I mark now will be seen in the future and it will be quite amusing to look back and see what I was thinking at the time the material was presented. Adler has also allowed me to realize that I am the third type of book owner. My books may not be dilapidated but one can defiantly tell that they have been read multiple times and that I have enjoyed my time reading. I have and always will enjoy reading, it allows the imagination to run wild and can make a person the happiest they will ever be.