Backpacks vs. Briefcases

   The main message from this article is about the importance of rhetoric in regards to media. Rhetoric as described by Carroll, is the way we use language and the images we use to persuade. That is what Carroll claims makes media work. Carroll states that, "Understanding rhetorical messages is essential to help us to become informed consumers, but it also helps evaluate the ethics of messages, how they affect us personally, and how they affect society" (pg... 46). This statement is by far my favorite. Most importantly because I feel as though people are constantly brainwashed by advertisement and media. People don't stop and think about the messages those advertisements use in order for you to buy or consume what they are offering or advertising. This is a serious matter especially because our society today everyone is so self conscious and are constantly thinking they have a problem and work aimlessly in order to perfect their image. The saddest part about this article for me was when Carroll stated the statistic that based off research conducted, only 2% of women consider themselves beautiful, which has been linked to the way that the fashion industry defines beauty. As sad as it is, our world today is full of different kinds of social influence.

In addition, Carroll continues to note that even choosing our clothing depending on where we are going or what we are going is context. Even the placement of a billboard in a specific part of the community is considered context as well. If we are able to just take a step back and analyze the use of such advertisements etc. and its given location we will be able to identify the types of reasons used to make by the "rhetor" itself.

 Lastly, Carroll talks about the use of constraints supported by her statement that constraints are the last piece of the rhetorical situation are those things that have the power to, "...Constrain decision and action needed to modify the exigence"(pg...49). In other words, constraints can be attitudes, beliefs, facts, documents, images, traditions, as well as motives. Yet ultimately, constraints limit the way the discourse is delivered or even communicated. Carroll continues to describe it as possible something as simple as your instructor limiting your proposal to one thousand words, or to make it more complex it could even be the kinds of language you need to use in order to persuade a certain community. All in all the most important, yet informational notion Carroll provides is her statement that, "It is important to understand what a piece of rhetoric is asking of you, how it tries to persuade you, and whether that persuasion fits within the context you encounter it in" (pg...56). This is the message that I will continue to pass on from here on out. Specifically, to understand the carefully thought-out persuasion that is used by media today.