Tow #16 “American Progress” by John Gast

            The idea of Manifest Destiny struck America in the 19^th century. A proposition to move west and redefine yourself and your life interested some, however others needed more convincing. The painting, “American Progress” by John Gast, uses color and symbolism to persuade Americans to explore across the nation.

            “American Progress” employs two ranges of colors to exhibit Gast’s purpose. The right side of the painting is light and colored with yellows and greens; the left is much darker, painted in black, blue, and brown. In the middle of the picture, a clear transformation section is shown where the angel is located. The artist uses colors in this way to show how the future in the west is only getting brighter. As the light spreads across the painting through the angel’s power the west becomes more of an amazing place. Gast is able to portray the west’s endless possibilities through shading and colors.

            To explain more of these prospects, Gast adds countless examples of symbolism into his work.  In the picture there is both a Conestoga wagon and a Stagecoach. These two types of wheels show how people of all classes should move west. It is a subtle way for the author to explain that the new opportunities are just as good for the poor farmer as they are for the rich. A second important sketch in the painting is the angel. The angel represents the spirit of Manifest Destiny and how she leads the people across the country. In her hand, she holds a telegraph wire that she is lining as she moves and a schoolbook. The symbolism in this artwork allows the audience to put together the message and understand all of the reasons they should move.

            “American Progress” highlights many of the important social, economic, and political reasons the American people should settle in the west. Through the use of coloring and symbolism, people are enlightened by the wonders of the nation. This painting inspired the migration of many from sea to shining sea. 

Tow #15 The Civil Rights of Children by Juliet Lapidos

As a human being everyone deserves certain rights. As a United States citizen the government protects and preserves these rights throughout one’s entire lifetime. Juliet Lapidos argues that in schools violate children’s civil rights. Her argument includes strong claims with supportive data to prove that not all disciplinary policies in schools are fair.    

            The claims that Lapidos makes provide a strong base for the rest of her rationalization. She writes; “Minority children who are already at greater risk of dropping out are being ejected from school and denied the right to an effective public education” (Paragraph 2).  She uses this point to drive the rest of her editorial. By addressing the major issue immediately and saying it explicitly, her audience is able to easily follow her evidence in the rest of the essay.

            To justify her observation about children’s civil rights Lapidos includes many data points. She has researched the issue through the guidance offices in different school systems. She has found that “African-American students represent only 15 percent of public school students, but they make of 35 percent of students suspended once, 44 percent of those suspended more than once and 36 percent of those expelled” (Paragraph 5). This data shows that at a public school the minority student does not receive the same treatment as the rest of the school body.

            Students deserve the same rights as every other American citizen. Lapidos writes to demonstrate the problems that happen for minority students in schools. With her strong points and research Lapidos convinces her audience effortlessly that these issues need to be resolved now. 

Tow #14 Don’t Swallow Your Gum! By Dr. Aaron Carroll and Dr. Rachel Vreeman

As important to a book as the author’s style is the format of the book. The organization of Don’t Swallow Your Gum! by Dr. Aaron Carroll and Dr. Rachel Vreeman allows the reader to understand many different medical myths. Split into five parts the book is able to address many different types of misconceptions. The book also includes and introduction, research terms, references, and an index. The format of this book enhances the experience the audience receives as they read it or use it as a learning tool.

            The five sections of the book make it easy to be used for many different reasons. Written as a book where one could read it entirely through, it is organized also so a person with specific interests could read just what they want. The parts include titles such as “Do you want to catch pneumonia out there?” Myths about how we contract and treat diseases,  “He won’t get into Harvard without Baby Einstein.” Myths about babies and children, and “Shots made my baby autistic.” Myths that spark controversy and debate. The book’s organization makes it easy to find any specific topic.

Within each section are numerous short chapters. With funny titles and lots of facts they are interesting and enjoyable to read. At the end of many chapters there is a box, which includes extra information about a similar myth. The presentation of statistics, facts, and research are fit into short exciting chapters. The arrangement of each chapter allows the reader to understand each topic and not lose interest before moving to the next one.

The compelling format of the book and chapters creates an educational but also fascinating book. Carroll and Vreeman’s organization adds to the rhetoric of their writing.