Nicholas Mah
Hunter S. Thompson coined the term “Gonzo Journalism,” a strange and interpretive style of reporting. Many of you have already been exposed to it through the book turn movie “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” In “Gonzo,” a reporter’s mission is to record absolutely everything that is happening from a central role of involvement in the scenario. In an article he wrote, he discussed the difficulties involved in this type of reporting, and noted that he found himself imposing a fictional framework over the actual events he was involved in.
I decided to take a stab at Gonzo, but I thought I’d first see how it worked in the classroom. Here is an unedited, well nearly, account of the last half of my Speech 180 class:
Chapter 13
After this there will be only one more. Isn’t that weird? Persuasively speaking? I talked about it a little bit, was objective, but now you must take controversy about which some decision will/must be made soon! By the President! You will advocate, it is correct that you believe that for 12 minutes. Now, we must talk characteristically. First, choice. Urge it. It is possible to clarify informational, but don’t advocate unless persuasive. This choice is the best.
Secondly, persuasively ask for commitment. Do not learn new info! Not only cognitive change but behavioral, you must ask the clientele to do more! Become involved … ask for more than learning because of the higher ethical obligations. Tell them to go out and support audience responsibly. It will be beneficial to both you and I, help me help you. So with that in mind, I would like discussion on the process of people persuading personally like McGuire has four steps … 1) Awareness-there will be no persuasion without it, introductorily get interested. 2) Comprehension-people like to feel, let them feel like they understand, fully and in depth, so once people understand we can thirdly, 3) Accept (or reject) they’ve heard that, they’ve weighed it, but do they believe you? 4. Incorporate you must get their world view. They act, you persuade, many times they don’t. But now you join twenty different causes, not just acceptance but acting. Live your life with motivation and importance, focus on that issue. These are the stage.
The last thing is schemes. Couples are specific, but problem solution, you’ll notice (two others) because it is a problem solution speech. Describe a problem proposing solution. It is unlikely, so you might have two, at least some breakdown. two are complex. Second is stock issues, predicated on the idea that regardless, stock issues relative to every controversy. If the death penalty is immoral, why are innocents put to blame a person or group of people (death) in many instance. How have we arrived at the point we’re at?
That’s the solution, the cure, what it is. You will probably emphasize, that’s true, but you must always apply the topic to the audience. Conclude! Remedy this problem. This is how it personally affects you, but besides this is the cost, an honest benefit comparison of the ill and the cost. These negatives may result but its honest even though it does seem more objective.
It is still necessary to do it because the ill is so great. The final design scheme is the motivated sequence, appropriately. I should say focus, but there are several step (as usual) first, which I stated early, you must get attention! Secondly, demonstrate need. Demonstration of need is like the ill. Attention, need, satisfy the cure. Visualize the results, the benefits to them and society. It actually happened so now is the time to call to action! Explain exactly what you need to do, lobby, join, get these changes! Don’t forget stock issues! You don’t have to, but problem solution is inevitable!
March 14, 2002