"Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising" by Jack Solomon

Summary:
In his article, "Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising," Jack Solomon tells us about the strategies and methods Americans use in their advertisements. First, he starts off with the paradox contradiction with the American dream - communally egalitarian and competitively elitist. He argues that we cannot both be equally as a whole and superior than one another simultaneously. Advertisements also hold a status symbol, "signs that identify their possessors' place in social hierarchy," which means we can classify a person's social status based on the value or cost of something they have, like a car. Solomon also mentions another strategy, "living the fantasy" in which advertisers create consumer desire that remain unconscious. McDonald's successfully takes on America's subconscious fantasies. Another approach in advertising is "fear and trembling in the marketplace." This lets us know that besides dreams and desires, we also have nightmare and fear. Americans "fear of not belonging, of social rejection, of being different." Lastly, Solomon tells us about "the future of an illusion," where advertisements convince Americans to be seeing the real thing, not "advertising hype."

Response:
In response to "Masters of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising," I'd say Solomon's article was very informative in stating the facts behind advertising. Initially, I did not know how advertisers made such approaches to get its consumers to purchase their products. Of all the methods Solomon stated, I can see a lot of advertisements that use "living the fantasy." Many commercials I watched use sports cars to fulfill American's fantasies. People look at these cars as "hot" or "sexy" and because "sex never fails as an attention-getter," this persuades them more into buying their product. Also, I feel that "fear" is a great tactic Americans use. A lot Americans always want to feel like they "belong" to something, otherwise they wouldn't fit in society. I think advertisers put that "if you don't have _____, you're missing out." It pressures us in having to buy their product in order to make us feel like we're up to date with everyone else. For those that aren't convinced with these strategies, I think they would fall under "the future of illusion" because this sign makes their advertisements seem more realistic.

"2b or Not 2b?" by David Crystal

Summary:
In "2b or Not 2b?," David Crystal discusses the change of language in texting. John Humphrys agrues that texters are "destroying" our language and "must be stopped." (335) Initially, texting/SMS had a slow start when it was first developed and took approximately five years for text users to increase. Texting significantly "rocketed" (336) from tens in the year 2000 to trillions in the year 2005. David Crystal also mentions that its graphic distinctiveness evidently "helps rather than hinders literacy." (337) He then explains how the texting style appears in abbreviation of the words such as gf for "girlfriend" and cmb for "call me back." Texters also use logograms and shortened words like "2bctnd" (to be continued) and"hldmecls" (hold me close). In the end, he states "There is not disaster pending. We will not see a new generation of adults growing up unable to write proper English." "...texting... is language in evolution." (345)

Response:
In response to "2b or Not 2b" I agree with David Crystal when he thinks the opposite of the "they say." Because the language of texting with abbreviations, logograms, and shortened words appears to be "illiterate," people think the future generations will not learn proper English language. Like Crystal said, texting is language in evolution. People initialize common phrases because it is quicker to send short sentences via texting yet having the same meaning but in short context. I'd say that texting is another form of English language specifically used over mobile devices. It does not necessarily make us illiterate when we have already learned proper English, but it is just a diverse way of communication.

"Two Years Are Better Than Four"

Summary:
In "Two Years Are Better Than Four," Liz Addison states that Mr. Perlstein, who had attended a four year university but decided to quit, thought that he'd find a place left "where college experience of self-discovery does still matter to those who get there" because she thinks that he has "never set a food in an American community college." (212) Addison claims that community college is a place that welcomes student to begin. With the start in college as a beginner, you gradually start to grow little by little for every class you take. Lastly, Addison says, "I believe the community college system to be one of America's uniquely great institutions." (214)

Response:
In response to "Two Years Are Better Than Four," I can agree with Addison when she claims that community college maters unlike Mr. Perlstein who thinks that college must come to an end. As a college student, I'd say that college still matters. Although there are high school students who may think they are done with their education by the time they graduate or must've dropped our from a four year, I still think other graduates would like to further their education and pursue their career and this is where a community college comes to mind. Even if there are middle aged adults who consider going back to school again because they've finally discovered what they want to do; I find no problem with that. By the title "Two Years Are Better Than Four," I believe she means that a community college is another given change to those who want to start again because college still matters.

Mastery Exam Sample Essay #1 by Douglas Ross

Summary:
In this sample essay, Douglas states that unwanted children are caused by the irresponsibility of young teen couples. First, he discovers that those with the inability to raise a child refuse to use birth control because they don't see themselves getting pregnant. He realizes that the young ladies in his Law Enforcement class are sexually active and finds it disturbing that they choose not to use birth control. In his second body paragraph, Douglass also states that many couples choose not to use birth control because they were raised irresponsibly. Because teens were raised in a consequence free environment, they suffer with the mentality that not being punished for bad behavior earlier in their lives would have them think they wouldn't have to deal with such consequences in the future. Lastly, he argues that many advertisements given in society show irresponsible lifestyles.

Response:
After reading Douglass Ross's essay, I'd say that his essay was quite informative and able to agree with. I know that many couples have taken the risk to have unprotected sex without using birth control pills because they don't think they will get pregnant. I can concur that couples do not use birth control because they were raised irresponsibly. I think all parents should raise their children with discipline and practice to prepare for their behaviors and the decisions they make in the future. With his advertisement statement, I believe social media should focus more on the consequences that may happen rather than advertising their product.

"Appreciating the Moment" by Jay Hasheider

Summary:
In "Appreciating the Moment" by Jay Hasheider, the narrator tells a short moment about a parent's and child's separation. At one point in their lives, a child and a parent will soon depart from one another thus holding a sad, but also good moment. The narrator and his son spend their last moment together packing his belongings in the trunk while watching the Sunday baseball game of the Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves. Throughout the game, it seemed that their own hometown team, the Cardinals, was losing by 3-1, which kept the sad atmosphere for the narrator's last moment with his son. Suddenly, the Cards had caught up with their winning turns. The positive change in the baseball game had also brought satisfaction over the sadness to their last moment. Ultimately, the narrator and his son had an enjoyable time before he left, making the best moments occur when least expected.

Response:
In response to "Appreciating the Moment" by Jay Hasheider, I found this short narrative to be a certain point in life where a child has to leave his or her parent in order to continue on with a new chapter in their life. Most students after high school much leave up to thousands of miles to continue in furthering their education, studying abroad, or joining the military. Their last moments may be full of sadness; however it's also a moment where the parents can be very proud and pleasing for their child's success. I found the line "such moments cannot be planned, or ever hoped for," very true because I could recall various occasion where the most amazing moments occurred when I had least expected of them.