Thesis Statement, Maintaining Motivation

By looking at the intensity and success of one individual and image, it is easier to achieve a more motivated mindset in life.

I chose this picture for several reasons. This ad has been hanging in my room for years since I first saw it in one of my running magazines.  The picture originally caught my eye when I saw Allyson Felix in the background.  She runs the 800-meter run, and that is the same event that I do.  Allyson Felix has been a phenomenal runner for years, and is most widely known for her Olympic performances.   She is my role model when it comes to running and makes the picture even more powerful to me.  Another reason why this picture immediately struck me was because of the Nike symbols everywhere on the ad.  She is wearing a Nike sports bra and also Nike gloves.  Nike has always been my favorite sponsor for running and it gives the picture more importance for me. 

            The words on the picture “Make Yourself Strong,” really speaks to me because I think self-motivation is one of the best assets a person can have.  If people have the ability to motivate themselves, I think that they are able to conquer nearly any task. Allyson’s face on the photo capture her desire to be the best no matter what the conditions are.  Her body language shows that she is confident in what she does.  I think the words displayed over her signifies the importance and dominance in hard work and self-perseverance. 

            I think people should always be motivated in everything they do.  I hate when people rely on other people to do work for them, or have to follow someone to get a task done.  I like people who are leaders and can make themselves better.  The more determined people are to improve themselves, the stronger they will be as a person.  This subject lies heavily with me because this is what I have always been taught growing up.  My parents always told me that the harder I work and the more I push myself, the better off I will be in my future.  This holds true because I know that if I did not work hard every single day during high school track practice, I would not have made it to the college level.  Now that I have achieved my goal, I only want to improve and be able to compete well at the college level.  The picture symbolizes my hopes and aspirations and also captivates an intense image portraying self-motivation. 

Analyzing a Picture for Rhetoric Devices

 

 

            In this picture it is easy to depict the different rhetoric devices.   From looking at the picture, it is clearly seen that it was taken at a track meet.  The podium, sign on the podium, stands in the background, flags, and uniforms are all indicators that the picture was at a track meet.  It also known that the picture was probably taken during the spring because outdoor track seasons are in the spring, and our uniforms are made for warmer weather.  There are also tents in the background covering other teams, which could mean they were trying to block the sun.  Looking at the visual clues in the picture, visual rhetoric signs can easily be found.

            In this picture my team just won the 2011 class 4-A track and field state championship.  This picture has a high amount of sentimental value to me and it makes me feel happy every time I look at it.  I can relive the memories and experiences made in the picture every time I see it.  I remember the hard work we put into the entire season, the nervous feeling we got at every meet, especially the state meet, and I remember the smiles we made after winning the title for our teammates and especially for our retiring coach.  I remember standing together as a team, clutching the green baton, and knowing that we had to win our final event to win the meet.  I see my coach in the background and it makes me happy knowing that we won the meet for him, because it was his final year coaching track and field.  When I see this picture I feel the joy of shed tears, the satisfaction of pouring sweat, and the happiness of winning and working together as a team.

            From another viewpoint, the average onlooker would see us as a group of smiling girls, standing on the podium, for a state track meet.  They should probably realize that our team won because our whole team was standing on the first place podium and we all had medals around our necks.  Another indicator could be that our whole team was holding up one finger to signify a first place finish.  People viewing the picture that were not a part of the team, coaching staff, or family members, would not feel the same emotions.  An onlooker may sense the pictures power and happiness, but it would not mean anything to them personally.  The picture shown displays many rhetoric devices, yet different people will get different ideas and feelings when looking at the photo. 

Visual Rhetoric on a Regular Basis

            Throughout my day I am constantly reminded of visual rhetoric.  In my room I have several posters and pictures for all different corporations and cities.  My Charleston posters display beautiful sunrises and bright green palm trees.  It visually displays the historic beauty located in Charleston.  My Gatorade posters display catchy phrases and sweaty athletes that motivate me to try hard in every thing I put my mind to.  My Family Guy calendar has different pictures and quotes from each of the characters for each individual day.  The pictures and funny quotations are clearly written to make me laugh.  Some of the hats that are hanging on my door show off Browning and Ducks Unlimited logos.  There are several items in my room that constantly remind me of the visual rhetoric seen throughout everyday life. 

            When I open up the Internet on my laptop I am instantly reminded of visual rhetoric.  The Clemson University website pops up and displays images of students rigorously, and happily working in the classroom, or athletes persevering to reach a goal.  The words written on the website give high praise to the college to show that it is a defined university.  Other websites show off their logos and catch phrases that have made them widely popular.  Twitter shows off their blue “tweet” bird and other websites do the same sort of deal.  The Internet shows a wide variety of visual rhetoric.

            Visual rhetoric can also be seen heavily on the streets and billboards around cities and even Clemson’s campus.  Whenever I drive on the interstate I see several billboards for all different campaigns and businesses.  Restaurants, fast food establishments, medicines, and people running for some sort of political position are only some of the items posted on billboards.  When driving around streets I see posters and signs persuading people to come eat or to come visit their business.  I see visual rhetoric wherever I go now that I realize how easily it is portrayed.  Many items, posters, ads, and commercials are displayed persuasively as a visual rhetoric device.   

First Week of Classes

The first week of second semester has already been quite an adventure.  I have had mixed emotions from stress, to being excited, then to becoming nervous.  Leaving home after being there for almost a month was very sad and stressful. However, I had to get back a little earlier to meet at the track. I started the week off with track practice and am now ending it on the way to a track meet at Virginia Tech.  I get a little stressed about missing Friday classes, but I know I will be able to handle it.  My team should compete well so I am excited and nervous for the outcome. We left on Thursday and we are going to return on Saturday night.  I really hope to return with a happy coach, which would mean we all performed to the best of our abilities. 

I can already tell it will be a busy, tough semester.  I think I would rather stay busy though, because I know this means that I will need to study harder and focus better in my classes.  Last semester I had trouble at first getting used to the differences between high school and college, but I think I am more adjusted now.  My class schedule will also be a little heavier than last semester.  One thing I thought was strange was that last semester I had only men professors.  This semester I have more women professors than I do men, so I think it will be interesting.

            Overall my week has been a good one.  I was really happy to see all of my teammates that I did not get to see over break and all of my other friends around campus.  I love going to class the first couple of weeks because it is fun to see who will be in my classes.  Meeting new professors and classmates is always an exciting time.  After this first week, I think this semester is going to be fairly challenging, but also enjoyable.  I am ready to see what this semester has in store for me.