Sunday, May 2, 2010

Cover Letter

For my final portfolio, I revised Project Two.  This was my favortie project, and I enjoyed revising it.  This project encouraged me to keep up with the current news of a topic.  I then had to go back to the topic and find the latest news for the final portfolio.  The first corrections I needed to make on Project Two were grammar and spelling.  I corrected words such as 'molestation', and added apostrophes and commas as needed.  These are simple mistakes that I could have avoided by just simply reviewing over my work.  Reviewing over my work is something I need to work on, because simple mistakes like these show non-professionalism.  I also analyzed my blogs more.  I looked at audience, purpose, and rhetorical appeals more.  For example, in the blog "Medical Help in Haiti", I discussed how the author uses logos and pathos to strengthen his argument. 

Over the course of this semester, I have learned many skills to help me in the future.  I have learned how to filter vague topics into a working thesis.  I have learned how to integrate sources with my ideas.  I have learned to critique my work with an "analytical eye."  These skills should help me in future classes and in my profession.

American Red Cross- Three Month Progress Report

Recovery progress is being made in Haiti.  This report discusses Haiti's progress with the American Red Cross' help.

The American Red Cross published this report to show donators and the general public how aid is being distributed in Haiti.  The American Red Cross has raised more than $409 million for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts.  These funds are planned to be applied to shelter, emergency relief, water and sanitation projects, and other financial assistance.

This article uses logos to present its point.  The American Red Cross has helped approximately two million vulnerable people.  This number helps support their argument of making excellent progress in Haiti.  The American Red Cross published this report to build their ethos.  They are known for saving lives, and they published this report to show the American people and other on-lookers how they are living up to their standards.  This report should also encourage donators to donate even more, because now they see their money going to good use.  The American Red Cross continues to live up to their word in providing aid for Haiti.
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.94aae335470e233f6cf911df43181aa0/?vgnextoid=5774cb60e99e7210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

Haiti's Recovery

Haiti is now working on a recovery plan.  World leaders gather in New York to discuss a recovery plan.  Haitian Prime Minister, Jean-Max Bellarive, presented a government action plan for Haiti relief.

Bellrive's plan consist of three stages.  The first is the emergency period, which focuses on accomodating Haiti's homeless, providing food and medicals needs, and preparing for the coming hurrican season.  This stage has been completed for the most part.  The United States and other countries have helped with the completion of the first stage.  This strengthens the ethos of these supporting countries, because they have shown that they can be trusted in a time of need.  The second stage is the implentation period, which will focus on economic growth and job creation.  Haiti is currently in this stage.  This stage will focus on high labor, intensive industries, agricultural infrastructure, building, and clean up of devastated areas.  The third stage is a ten to twenty year period in which the country will rebuild to become self sufficient.  This means Haiti will be working to be able to provide for itself, without the help of others.

The purpose of this news segment is to inform the public about Haiti's recovery plan.  The general public is the audience of this article.  Also, the audience could be political figures of supporting countries, because they should be interested in Haiti's needs and what Haiti plans to achieve as far as recovery is concerned.  The tone of this news segement is brisk and straight to the point.  The speaker states the facts, and Bellarive speaks out about Haiti's recovery plan without sugar-coating details or prolonging his speech.  He says the stage they are currently in, stage two, should take about eighteen months.  This statement may challenge his ethos, because if this stage is not complete in eighteen months, the people of Haiti and other supporting countries may lose faith in him.  But if this plan is followed out efficiently, Haiti should become a self sufficient country, and this will strengthen its government ethos, because the people of Haiti will believe in their government again.
http://www.fsrn.org/audio/haiti%E2%80%99s-government-outlines-recovery-plan-international-donor-conference/6474

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Annotated Bibliography

Works Cited

“American Red Cross Issues Three-Month Progress Report for Haiti Earthquake.” American Red Cross. American Red Cross. 12 April 2010. 18 April 2010.

The American Red Cross is making progress in Haiti.  This report discusses the relief efforts made by the American Red Cross.

The purpose of this article is to inform donators and the general public about the progress being made in Haiti.  The hidden purpose of this report is to strengthen the ethos of the American Red Cross.  Earlier in a news casting, the American Red Cross' ethos were challenged, because they provided little evidence of the money being spent.  This report goes into detail about how aid is being distrubuted.  This article uses logos to support its claim.  The American Red Cross has raised $409 million and has helped approximately two million people.  This information should strengthen the American Red Cross' ethos and encourage donators to donate even more.


Faul, Michelle. “Haiti Earthquake Opens Window on Dismal Prisons.” Yahoo News. Associated Press. 6 March 2010. Web. 10 March 2010.

After earthquake in Haiti, more than five thousand prisoners escaped. This devastation gives Haiti a chance to work on their judiciary system.

This article explains how Haiti’s judiciary system is in the slums along with everything else right now. This article uses ethos to appeal to the reader’s emotions. It explains the horrible conditions the prisoners face. This should make the reader feel sympathetic towards these Haitians, even though they are prisoners. This article also should make Americans feel a since of pride in their government, because the Haitian government looks to America as a guide to rebuild their judiciary system.



Good Morning America. “Following the Aid in Haiti.” ABC News. ABC News, 13 Feb. 2010. Web. 18 Feb. 2010.

There are still thousands of Haitians that have not received food and shelter. Donations are being collected rapidly, but the Red Cross is holding the money.

Good Morning America posted this video February 13, 2010. This was about a month after Haiti’s disaster. Good Morning America reported sixty nine percent of donations has not been spent. One organization they look into is the American Red Cross. This information challenges the Red Cross’s ethos, because donators want to know why their money is not being spent on these suffering Haitians yet.


“Hait’s government outlines recovery plan at international donor conference.” Pacifica Radio, 31 March 2010. Web. 22 April 2010.

Haiti is now working on it's recovery plan.  Haiti Prime Minister, Jean-Max Bellarive presents a three-stage government action plan for Haiti recovery.

The purpose of this news segment is to inform the public about Haiti's recovery plan.  The general public and political figures of supporting countries are the audience of this article.  This article uses logos to make a point.  It states the amount of aid Haiti still needs and the number of people still homeless.  This article strengthens the ethos of supporting countries like the United States and China, because they have helped Haiti complete stage one successfully.  This shows that these countries can be trusted in a time of need.  Bellarive states in his plan that stage two will take about eighteen months.  Haitians will be expecting to see shelter, new jobs, and schools after this time period has expired.  If these things are not in place, Ballarive's ethos will be challenge, and fellow Haitians my lose faith in him.

Keys, Charley. “Obama Pledges to Continue Haiti Aid, Says Situation ‘remains dire’.” CNN Politics. CNN News. 10 March 2010. Web. 14 March 2010.

Haiti is still in a dire need for relief aid. Obama speaks pledges to Haiti’s President, Rene Preval, that aid will continue in Haiti.

CNN posted this article to inform viewers that aid is still needed in Haiti, and that President Obama is on the job to make sure Haiti gets the aid they need. This article uses logos by quoting facts and figures to inform viewers about how much aid America has already given Haiti. This article puts Obama’s ethos on the line, because he pledges to continue aid in Haiti so Haitians are going to expect sufficient aid and Americans are expecting President Obama to follow through as he promised. If aid in Haiti starts lacking, this could damage Obama’s ethos. But he is working efficiently so this will not happen.



MacFarquhar, Neil. “U.N. is Faulted as Lacking Coordination of Aid and Security in Haiti.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 2 March 2010. Web. 11 March 2010.

Sexual violence has been on the rise since the earthquake in Haiti. The United Nations is to blame, according to the New York Times.

This article’s purpose is to inform readers about one of the problems affecting Haitians after the earthquake—sexual violence. It also has a hidden purpose. It’s hidden purpose is to point the finger at the United Nations in effort to encourage them to do a better job. This article uses logos by quoting the number of rapes recorded in Haiti after the earthquake. This should also appeal to emotions like sympathy, because sexual violence is a horrible crime that violates a woman’s privacy, and none of us like our privacy invaded. Hopefully, the United Nations will make better security efforts in Haiti in response to this article.



Sidner, Sara. “Haiti Kids Make Joy.” CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 13 March 2010. Web. 15 March 2010.

Haiti’s kids look past the troubles of their devastating home. They find joy in hand-made toys and each other.

This video explains how Haitian kids find joy in little things, like hand-made kites and drum sets. CNN uses pathos, by appealing the emotions of warmth and sympathy. As viewers see these kids suffering, but trying to make the best of what they have they should feel sympathy for them. Also just seeing a happy kid should make older viewers feel a since of warmth. This video has a hidden purpose. Its hidden purpose is to get viewers to donate. Seeing these kids with hand-made toys should encourage viewers to donate more, so these kids can maybe have real toys one day, maybe even a drum set like they once had in their church.


“U.N. Chief Urges Donors Not to Forget Haiti.” CNN World. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 15 March 2010. Web. 15 March 2010.

United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon, visits Haiti for the second time since the earthquake. Ki-moon promises aid will continue in Haiti.

This article uses logos by quoting figures of the amount of aid the United Nations has given Haiti. These big numbers influence readers to think positive of the United Nations efforts. The article also gives numbers of how many Haitians still need relief aid. This should influence donors to donate even more.



Ward, Denise. “Medical Volunteer Fought to Stem Pain and Chaos in Haiti.” The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2010.

Mark Hayward, an emergency medicine physician assistant at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, wanted to be deployed to help the injured Haitians. He was told by the Red Cross that he was not needed, but eventually he went to Haiti anyway and his help was greatly appreciated.

Haiti still needs all the help it can get. This article challenges the Red Cross’s ethos, because when Hayward arrived at Haiti there was total. Nine hundred people still needed medical attention at the camp he was at, but the Red Cross said they didn’t need any more help. The purpose of this article is to inform the public about what’s going on in Haiti. It also has a hidden purpose. Using pathos, this article describes the horrible conditions in Haiti, which should provoke sympathetic emotions in the audience. Being informed about the suffering victims and the terrible conditions in Haiti should encourage people to donate even more.

Following the Aid in Haiti

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/haiti--9827586
Haiti is still in need of all the help they can get.  There are many Haitians still without shelter, food and water.  These Haitians are dying from malnutrition.  Even more Haitians have not been given proper medical attention and are on the verge of dying from diseases such as gangrene and other bacterical infections.  These are problems we as Americans can help with just a simple donation.

This video posted by ABC News focuses on the aid in Haiti following the earthquake.  They explain how even a month later there is still so much more help needed to just feed and shelter these suffering Haitians. The audience of this video is donators. The purpose of this video to encourage viewers to donate.  Donate, donate, donate!  Isn't that what everybody says?  But what is the donator's money being spent on? The other purpose of this video is to explain this mystery to donators.  ABC News tackles this question with one of the biggest aid organizations on the Haiti scene--the American Red Cross.  The spokes persons on ABC News use a serious tone in a conversational setting.  ABC News explains how sixty-nine percent of all donations to the Red Cross has not yet been spent.  That means $325 million is just sitting there.  So what are they doing with the donators money.  Nan Buzard, Senior Director of the Red Cross, explains to ABC News that the money is being put to good use.  She uses logos by quoting facts and figures of how much aid they have given to Haiti's people.  These large numbers strengthens her arguement, but it still doesn't hide the fact that the Red Cross has money just sitting away when there is still numerous of Haitians waiting for shelter, food, and water.  This video challenges the American Red Cross's ethos, because donators are not going to want to keep donating if the money is just sitting there.  Although the Red Cross may have a good plan for keeping the money, America's donators don't see it that way.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Haiti- Obama Speaks Out

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/10/obama.haiti/index.html
The situation "remains dire," says Obama.  Obama speaks with Haiti's President, Rene Preval about the aid in Haiti.  This is a major global issue that President Obama has to deal with efficiently.  Washington has already donated $700 million in aid according to this CNN article.  These donations were given efficiently and in a good timely matter, but there's still so much more help needed in Haiti.

This article's audience could be Americans, Haitians, and anybody donating aid to Haiti.  The purpose of this article is to inform the public about the situation in Haiti, and to persuade donators to donate more money.  The tone of this report is brisk and to the point.  It gives the facts without being around the bush.  Obama's ethos are riding on the efforts he put towards helping Haiti.  America is a country known to step in when things are not going right, so we were expected to provide Haiti with as much aid as possible in their time of need.  If Obama lacks to provide the aid expected of America, his ethos will be damaged.  Not only would other countries have distrust in him, but so would fellow Americans.  This would also effect his image, if he tried to run for re-election.  I think he is on top of this situation as of now.  And he has encouraged President Preval that aid will continue in Haiti.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Sexual Violence in Haiti

Sexual malestation is a crime nobody should want to happen to their family member, friend, or even enemy.  Sexual violence in Haiti has been or the rise in Haiti ever since the January earthquake, according to  the New York Times. Poor security in the camps, especially at night, is one reason for this problem.  They say the United Nations is to blame.  The New York Times states humiliating efforts by the United Nations in Haiti have lacked sufficient coordination with local organizations in delivering aid and establishing security.

This article's purpose is to inform the public about what is going on in Haiti.  It also trys to point fingers at the United Nations in effort to encourage them to do a better job coordinating aid and security in Haiti.  The audience of this article is the general public and the United Nations.  It's genre is in a report style which best fits a article in a newspaper.  The report has a serious tone, as it should, because this is a serious matter.  The United Nations is currently working on ways to improve the delivery of aid, but unfortunately they are not working fast enough.  In a two weeks period there were three reported rapes, according to the Human Rights Watch.  This is unacceptable.  Think about you, your mom, your sister, and your aunt.  If you all were in Haiti, three of you all could have been those rape victims.  This is a shuttering thought.  This lessens the United Nations ethos, because Haiti is trusting them with security and they are not doing the best they can.  The United Nations can and should do better, because they can save the next Haitian woman from being a sex victim.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/world/americas/03haiti.html?scp=9&sq=Haiti&st=nyt