E-portfolio

Introduction: 

My name is Marta Beczek. I am a student at The Pennsylvania State University double majoring in Spanish and International Politics and minoring in Media Studies (Class of 2015). I am 18 years old, originally from Poland, and looking to pursue a career in the non-profit sector.

My rhetoric has greatly improved throughout my first year at this university. I believe that it is of the utmost importance to have a strong voice in this world and to use words with meaning. Over the course of this year I have mastered the art of persuasion and become more than comfortable with public speaking. I am now fully capable of expressing my thoughts and ideas in ways which make others want to listen and agree. I want to end my introduction with one of my favorite quotes:"A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages." I believe that rhetoric and the correct use of words free us from cages and allow our wild hearts and minds to be heard and set free. Expression through rhetoric is what makes people unrestricted and that is why it is so valuable to me. 

Marta Beczek's E-portfolio

Rhetoric of Penn State

http://blog.timesunion.com/college/author/leannhlebica/

So as my first year is coming to an end here at PSU, I've started to look back at how much this place has become home to me and it makes me a little bit sad to be leaving for the summer.

I think that Penn State does a fantastic job of making a big school seem small. It seems that I have made so many friends here and anywhere I go, I always see someone I know. Ever since my first orientation, the idea that Penn State students, faculty, and alumni are a "big family" has been implanted into my brain. And now, from personal experience, I can say that this mantra lives up to its name. I feel like everyone here is so friendly and welcoming and we are all joined together by a common love for PSU.

Another thing that brings all of us together may be our motto "WE ARE... PENN STATE." I think this further supports the idea that we are all united and powerful together. I'd be intimidated if I were an outsider and heard this chanted around campus. Overall, I love love love the family atmosphere that this place provides because I think that it makes being here so comfortable and pleasant.

Another reason that we cannot deny why PSU is so popular and powerful is because of our football team and because of JoePa (RIP). Sports have definitely made this school become "something that everyone wants to be a part of" because who doesn't want a school with a well-known football team and the best student section?

In conclusion, I whole-heartedly enjoyed my first year here. From meeting so many new great friends, to experiencing an amazing social life, to learning from some of the greatest professors I've ever met. I love everything about this place and I cannot wait till next semester!

Dayglow!




http://onwardstate.com/2012/01/30/dayglow-coming-to-happy-valley/

 


http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/rftmusic/2011/09/dayglow_paint_party_at_the_pag.php

 I attended the Dayglow party/concert yesterday and it was absolutely amazing! (For anyone who doesn't know what Dayglow is: it is a "paint party" concert with DJ's.) The house-style music was great and the paint being thrown everywhere made dancing to it so much more enjoyable. Thinking about it now, Dayglow has a lot of appeal to a younger audience and that is why it's becoming popular all over the world.

The theme of this year's Dayglow party is "Life in Color" which automatically insinuates that our lives need more fun and that Dayglow is the way to achieve a higher appreciation of life. No one wants to live a black and white life, we want to add color to it and that is why we are drawn to buy tickets for this event.

Another tactic used to persuade people is that its a messy event. In the ads, one can see that there’s paint splattered everywhere. Usually messy means fun, messy signifies that people can go all-out and party without restrictions. Looking at the second picture, this is exactly what is happening.

Overall, I think the concert was very well organized. Everyone was told to wear white so that the paint could show up on clothes. There was stage shows like girls strung from ropes doing tricks. There was confetti and balloons poured on the audience throughout the night from the ceiling. All of our senses were used. We could hear the techno music, see the performances on the stage, smell and feel the paint on our bodies, and touch friends through dancing. I think that the concert lived up to its motto "Life in Color" because this was probably one of the most exciting concerts I've been to ever.

I recommened anyone who did not go Wednesday or Thursday to attened Dayglow in the future :)

Rhetoric/ History of Rap

Last week in my Spanish class, we spent the day listening to Mexican rap...when the conversation took a turn into the history of rap in general. What I learned was that rap when it first started had a lot more meaning in its lyrics than it does today. It was a form of rebellion and protest against the government. For example, the CD above is from one of the original rap groups called N.W.A or Niggas with Attitude. Even their name is a form of rebellion aimed to show that they are treated differently in society than other races. One of their top songs was "Fuck the Police" where the lyrics described how police target innocent black males for crimes. These songs were aimed to have political and social meanings.

However, nowadays, rappers usually just sing about money, girls, cars, and jelewry. Although most of us would think that "rap is garbage" and has no meaning... my Spanish teacher proposed a different point of view. He said that a lot of these rappers grew up in the ghettos, horrible towns, high crime rates, failing schools, and so forth. Their chance of "making it" was next to none. And when they finally did "make it," they want to show off their well-earned status and how they beat the odds. So when we listen to songs about rappers having money and "sipping Grey Goose," its their way of showing the world that they broke their cycle of poverty and worked hard to become successful, unlike their friends who probably joined gangs or were forced to work minimum wage jobs.

Although rap is not entirely about politics anymore, it still has some sort of meaning. In a way, it is motivational and can motivate a person to want to work hard and make something of their lives.