Zion Culbreath

English 1102

March 10th, 2022

zculbreath1@gastate.view.usg.edu

Summary

Pomona college is a relatively small private school in Southern California that is esteemed for its high academic standards and commitment to excellence. The university prides itself on admitting students who are both diverse in their background and accomplished in their academics, best demonstrated by its 6.6% admit rate and the different 60 countries that students originate from (Pomona College Home). The Pomona website persuades students to apply to the school by appealing to rhetorical strategies, namely ethos and logos, and idealizing different audiences.

Analysis

Considering that the name “Pomona” and the town “Claremont” are not very popular among most people, the Pomona website is an important resource for promoting the school and the opportunities it presents. To accomplish this, the website features a plethora of rhetorical language and strategies that hold readers’ attention and shape their perception of the college. The most prominent strategies on the website are ethos, pathos, and the overarching theme of idealizing potential audiences.

           Pomona is a very diverse school located in an area that is a hotbed of cultural agglomeration, which is a large part of the appeal of the school. For instance, on the Diversity & Access page, one can find that Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino students make up 39% of the student body and that 17% of the students at Pomona are first-generation students (Diversity & Access at Pomona). To highlight this concept, the website also imagines its ideal readers and appeals to them. An example of this is how the page references and details Pomona’s admissions process for undocumented students. Since southern California has a vast immigrant population, many applicants to the school are undocumented residents and this might pose an issue for them in applying to schools. To ensure that these students understand their value to Pomona, the school dedicates a page to this issue, stating that “Since 2007, in the admissions and financial aid processes, the College has fully reviewed applications from undocumented and DACAmented students who graduate from a U.S. high school by the same criteria as for all domestic students” (Undocumented/DACAmented applicants). In doing so, the website appeals to a specific group of readers and confirms their commitment to inclusion.

           Pomona’s most distinguishing feature is its academic reputation, with Niche raking it #1 for liberal arts and #1 among small schools in the US (Pomona College Home). This is reinforced by statistics like the median ACT score of 34 and 29.6% of students who graduated as Valedictorians in High School. By establishing these high standards, the school appeals to students who want to challenge themselves academically and surround themselves with other overachievers. Though this portrays the school as rigorous, the website ensures that students will be well equipped to perform at high levels by referencing the 8:1 student to faculty ratio as well as the numerous research opportunities available for undergraduates. The website further establishes the school’s credibility by referencing the prestigious graduate schools that alumni attend after Pomona and the leadership positions that alumni hold. Specifically, the outcomes page states that “Pomona alumni have served in positions of leadership in practically every field of human endeavor – from medicine, public policy, and the arts to scientific research, journalism, business, and the law…” (Outcomes: Your Future). The website also imagines the potential reader’s perspective by taking into account the likelihood that students will see career success after Pomona, knowing that most applicants see college as a steppingstone. To appeal to these readers, the website asserts that upon graduation, 95% of students either accept a job/internship offer or are admitted to graduate school. The combination of statistics, appeals to credibility, and appeals to readers’ interest bolster the reader’s perception of Pomona as one of the more prestigious schools in America.

           As a small school, community is an important aspect of Pomona’s identity. As part of a group of 7 colleges termed the Claremont Colleges, Pomona provides students the opportunity to interact with 8,000 students and 250 clubs (Pomona College Home). These numbers make it clear that potential applicants will have numerous options in terms of networking and forming relationships. Likewise, knowing that a sense of purpose is important to prospective students, the school ensures that its commitments extend beyond academics and include community service. This is best captured in the quote, “They only are loyal to this college who, departing, bear their added riches in trust for mankind” (Community Engagement). Through this quote, the website imagines its readers and their motivations and aligns them with the school. The school also provides numerous opportunities to conduct this service through its tutoring programs and community partnerships. In all, Pomona distinguishes itself based on its communal feel that other schools might not provide.

Response

After scoping the Pomona website and analyzing the rhetorical strategies that it used, I am convinced that I would attend this university. Considering that I am a minority student, inclusion is very important to me and my college experience, so their insistence on diversity appeals to me. I was unsure if this would be possible at a private university, but the information on the website assures me that I would feel a sense of belonging at the school. Another thing that draws me to the school is the idea of living in Southern California and experiencing that culture. The website details how visually appealing the area is and how many different activities are possible at the college. Though I have always lived in Georgia, I would be open to experiencing something new and different and California seems to be an attractive location. Though the website was persuasive in most areas, it did fail to convince me that the level of rigor wouldn’t be a stressor. The numbers regarding the academic profile of accepted students were intimidating, and though I understand that the school intends to challenge students, I feel that I would probably struggle in this environment. In spite of this, the statistics about the success rates of graduates are very encouraging and show that if one does work hard enough, they will be rewarded. Overall, I believe that Pomona is a great school, and the website demonstrates this through its rhetorical strategies.

Works Cited

“Community Engagement | Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College.” Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College, www.pomona.edu/life-at-pomona/community-engagement. Accessed 7 Mar. 2022.

“Diversity & Access at Pomona | Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College.” Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College, www.pomona.edu/admissions/diversity. Accessed 8 Mar. 2022.

“Outcomes: Your Future | Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College.” Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College, www.pomona.edu/outcomes. Accessed 8 Mar. 2022.

“Pomona College Home | Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College.” Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College, www.pomona.edu/home. Accessed 7 Mar. 2022.

“Undocumented/DACAmented Applicants | Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College.” Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College, www.pomona.edu/admissions/apply/undocumenteddacamented-applicants. Accessed 8 Mar. 2022.

Summary 

San Diego State University is in the heart of San Diego. On its website, there are so many programs to choose from, many other colleges under their name that can suit different majors, and SDSU is even in other locations. SDSU was founded in 1897 and it would first be a training institution for elementary school teachers. SDSU went through a lot of changes, adjustments, and improvements to become what it is now. President John F. Kennedy even had the opportunity and experience to receive the university’s first honorary doctorate in 1963.  

From clicking on the different headings on the website, it’s noticeable that they want to attract students that engage in the school community, students that are passionate and thrive for success, and treats everyone as an equal. The first links that are available are the different program degrees that students can choose from. This shows how SDSU wants to attract eager students as well.  

Analysis 

SDSU’s website has beautiful pictures that portray what life is like at SDSU. It has many links available to the reader, has so much information to go through and it does a good job of introducing SDSU and how it works. San Diego State University’s website exploits two rhetorical strategies, Purpose and Imagining Ideal Readers. 

The rhetorical strategy, Purpose, can be distinctly seen when the author wants readers to know that SDSU will continue to improve and expand as time goes on. This shows how SDSU always has something in mind about how they will benefit the university, faculty, and students. “We will continue to do so as we build SDSU’s new chapter of inclusive opportunity for more students, reimagining a university designed to thrive for many years to come, and impacting San Diego, our border region, and the world as never before.” (SDSU, About)  

SDSU does a good job on explaining the different diverse programs that this university offers and how the different programs are connected to SDSU’s mission. The author states these programs, wanting students to apply the different courses in the outside world. Their goal in saying this is wanting to make sure that students attain information, and it stays with them to guide them into their real-life experiences. An example of the rhetorical strategy, purpose is stated here, “San Diego State University pursues its mission through its many diverse departments and interdisciplinary programs in the creative and performing arts, the humanities, the sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences.” (SDSU, About) 

In SDSU’s website, there’s a lot of talk about diversity and that’s what makes this university stand out. What the author wants to do here is they want students to feel like they can be a part of a family. In order for students to feel accepted, guided, and welcomed, there needs to be dependable, flexible leaders that take consideration of students’ needs and aspire for a fulfilling journey. (SDSU, SDSU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan) SDSU wants every student to know that everything at this university (courses, teachers, landmarks, etc.) are taken seriously and are thought through.  

Their other rhetorical strategy is Imagining Ideal Readers, which means taking in thought of who the author wants to convince or attract to, in this case, this university. SDSU is all about acceptance and being fair. Throughout their website, this message can be seen everywhere, and it seems as though it’s practiced a lot in this university. On the website, it says “Our campus diversity being our pride. SDSU is recognized for its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. About 54 percent of students are of color, the university recognized for our military and veteran program and ranked as a top college for LGBTQ students. For generations, SDSU has overcome hurdles and defied expectations, forging ahead to deliver academic excellence, student success and groundbreaking research.” (SDSU, About) 

SDSU tries to reach their ideal student by explaining how much support and help that this university offers and will offer to every student to accomplish their goals. It seems like the author makes sure that every student is able to learn and execute when it comes to their education. An example of the rhetorical strategy, Imagining Ideal Readers, can be seen when said “SDSU commits to a future where all students are able to achieve their greatest potential. Our collective efforts will elevate SDSU as a national exemplar, providing education and training for the innovators and leaders our region and global society demand. SDSU will provide access to success through transformational experiences in and outside of the classroom for undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learners. With an enduring commitment to innovation, resilience and to our students, we will cultivate a university culture and infrastructure that facilitates an affordable, student-centered, wellness-focused, life-long educational journey, supported by every member of the SDSU community.” (SDSU, Strategic Plan)  

Response 

Would I go to this university if money wasn’t an issue and if I lived closer? If I choose nursing, yes, I would; they have study abroad opportunities for nurses and I feel like that would be a great experience. SDSU has many opportunities for work experience such as internships as well. Those internships would teach me different skills and help me gain more knowledge.

There is so much diversity and I would love to be close to the different beaches. It would also be a good place for me to connect deeper with my culture and language. I love the whole message about acceptance when it comes to students and how devoted SDSU is about their mission and goals. That makes me feel like no student will be left behind and every voice is heard at this university. SDSU also demonstrates that they will always be up for improvement and changes to the curriculum of this university; ensuring that students are welcomed and seen. 

Citations 

“Home | San Diego State University.” Www.sdsu.edu, SDSU, 2021, www.sdsu.edu/. 

Ayanna Cade

ENGL 1102

March 3rd, 2022

acade7@student.gsu.edu

Summary 

The University of Houston is a public university in the city of  Houston, Texas.  According to the website, they want students who want to research, a career, students that are outgoing, and a diversity of students from all types of backgrounds. They use logos and imagine ideal readers from the small and large strategies to persuade their main argument to their readers.

Analysis 

The University of Houston uses logos to prove that they want students who want to research, be leaders, have a career, embrace diversity, and students that are outgoing. They display a lot of data, statistics, numbers, and facts to prove to the readers of their main argument. On their website, the numbers stand out, they are very bold and big. They make the numbers stand out so the reader can have an idea that this is the type of student that they want. On the submenu for research, the website emphasizes that the University of Houston is the 1,075 ranked facility, they have $145 million in new awards, $203 million in research expenditures, and a total of 70 total winners of NSF career awards (1). 

The way that the website proves that it wants a diversity of students through logos is by providing facts from articles and newsletters provided on the website.  According to the website, In the article “UH Among the best in the nation for success of Hispanic Students” from Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine they state that The University of Houston has been ranked among the top 100 Hispanic – Serving Institutions in the nation (1). The website provides this fact about the school’s diversity to show logos. The website wants the reader to know this is one of the best schools for diversity. The website implied in the article about Hispanic students that “ In the fall of 2020, the University served more than 15,600 Hispanic students” (1). This means that the University of Houston accepted a lot of Hispanic students into their school. This is one of the first sentences the author states in the article. The website observes that the article says “In the fall of 2020 more than 3,000 degrees were earned and The University of Houston Hispanic students earned the majority of those degrees”(1).  The website claims that a lot of degrees in 2020 were awarded to Hispanic students at the University of Houston(1). The website reports facts and data in that sentence to show that Hispanic students can succeed and get degrees at their schools (1). 

The website uses imagining ideal readers to prove to the readers of their main argument.  According to the website, The University of Houston’s ideal reader is students who are outgoing and do not mind living Downton (1). The website emphasizes that the University of Houston delivers a lot of opportunities for students to make new friends, and get involved with the community and many clubs while living in the city (1).  They have many different organizations for their students. A few organizations that the website confirms are “ A Cappella UH “, “Active Minds”,  “African Student Union”, “ AIESEC “ and many more (1).  The website points out that The University of Houston’s ideal reader is also a student who wants to have a career. According to the website “ UH graduate students prepare for dynamic careers” (1). The website confirms that they have many programs of study like undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, online, and counting education (1). This college has many different majors, minors, and programs to provide its ideal reader with many options for careers. 

Response 

If the University of Houston came down to Georgia I would attend the school. According to the website, the school is very compassionate and caring towards its students. A University that genuinely cares about its students is a huge factor for me. I love that the school has many research programs being that I am a pre-nursing student. I feel as if I could use those research programs to the best of my ability. The University of Houston is in the city and I honestly think that the city is very beautiful. I never lived downtown but I honestly would not mind. Even though I love being close to home I’m starting to feel like it’s time for me to expand. The school is very compassionate and caring is one of the main reasons why I would go to this college but I am not an outgoing person and this is what this college is looking for. I am very shy so it is hard for me to make friends but going to this school could help me grow out of my shell. This college can help me grow personally. This college would be very new to me but it can help me grow socially and mentally. It can help me meet new amazing people that can make a positive change in my life and their research programs can help me out mentally.

The University of Houston. Retrieved March 9, 2022, from https://uh.edu/

Summary

            The Paris College of Art is looking to nurture a seed of artistic potential by providing an opportunity for growth and experience in a city known for its authentic creative value. The ideal student should want to attend in order to refine their craft in an inspiring and unique environment. The college’s website makes this known by using Purpose and Imagining Ideal Readers as rhetorical strategies.

Analysis

            The Paris College of Art attracts their ideal students first by making their purpose clear and then by imagining what type of readers would come to their website. PCA’s goal is to encourage culturally diverse and creative students to apply to their school. Under their Admissions tab titled “Become a Paris College of Art Student”, they give the reader a feeling of inclusivity by making them feel welcome to apply. The first sentence of this page states “Choosing the right school requires getting to know a school as well as you can before and during the application process” (PCA 1). Their purpose here is promote prospective students to learn more about the school beforehand by attending virtual tours and open houses. Links to sign up for these events are displayed in large buttons underneath the text meant to capture the reader’s attention. In doing this, they are confident about their campus and what they offer. They know that once students partake in these opportunities, they will feel excited and confident in becoming enrolled at this university. Found under the Student Life tab, PCA boasts that “More than forty countries are represented in the Paris College of Art student population, bringing to this small community a cultural diversity rare among art education institutions” (PCA 1). Diversity is their top attraction as a tool for gaining new students. After all, Paris is a European hub for people coming from many different walks of life. Paired with this block of text is a collection of diagrams and graphs explaining various student identities and backgrounds on campus. Their goal with this to show that no matter where someone comes from in the world, they are invited to join the mix. To continue the previous quote, PCA ends their statement by saying “This, combined with a location at the crossroads of Europe, makes studying at Paris College of Art a uniquely rich experience for young artists and designers” (PCA 1). It is important to note that they are proud of the location in which the school resides. The campus alone is grounds for inspiration. They want readers to know that Paris, being a huge city popular for creative movements, is the perfect place for young artists to find themselves and the niche best suited for them.

             Moving on to Imagining Ideal Readers, right off the bat one can gather that PCA is geared towards English speakers. This is an international university based in France, but the website is only in English. There isn’t even a button found anywhere that can switch the language settings. Paris college of art displays picture slides on their homepage. There is a statement on the first slide that reads “Paris College of Art is an international college with US degree-granting authority and accreditation from the national association of schools of art and design (NASAD)” (PCA 1). This shows that while they are diverse, it is largely leaning towards Americans seeking opportunities abroad. They also have French accreditation through the French Ministry of Accreditation. It is not however highlighted on the forefront of their main page: rather someone would have to dig to find this information.

            Another ideal reader they imagine would be people who have demonstrated previous artistic talent. In the Admissions section, it was made clear that students need a portfolio to apply. They have a link to an online portfolio workshop implying that this “ideal young artist” possibly would not know how to present their work. PCA is very supportive in their application process to attract someone who might be shy in their craft and relatively new to any kind of exposure. This comes in contrast to some other art institutions that are extremely exclusive and have high expectations for applicants.

           PCA also has photos and videos of students on campus to attract similar perspective students that might come across their website. Videos feature young people from various countries (for example there was a girl from Sweden and another from India) saying what program they are taking an interest in (PCA 1). All the media shown is very light and airy, showing art supplies, studios, and historic architecture. This is a place for students to work with their hands and become inspired. PCA wants to connect with the creative thinker and persuade them that this school is where they belong.

College girl in Paris Photo by Mika Baumeister

Response

            This university was successful in the plain fact that their persuasive methods worked on me. I would love to attend this institution. Three of my values from the in-class writing include “success”, “personal growth”, and “peace”. The alumni from PCA seem to have really interesting life paths after obtaining their education. They dabble in a variety of mediums including design, photography, fashion, marketing etc. They are also all located in different cities around the world. That is the perfect depiction of the successful future I see myself having. I want to always be on the go, embarking on some new adventure. Exposing myself to different cultures and ways of thinking puts me on an international level not only career wise, but also in contribution to my personal growth. When I say peace, I know that sounds very simple and easily obtained, but in my life, I had to work to value the importance of that principle. To me that includes my physical environment and my mental headspace in which go hand in hand. In order for me to create art and reach my full potential, I need peace. The Paris College of Art exudes that with their bright spacious studio classrooms and freedom of expression. I don’t want to go to this school for the soul purpose of getting a job. I want to attend this university to expose myself to what it would be like to do what I love and PCA’s strategies convince me that at their school, what I want is possible.

Work cited

Paris College of Art. PCA. Retrieved March 9, 2022, from https://www.paris.edu/

Laila A. Thurman

Professor Weaver

English 1102 Section 298 

7 March 2022

Summary

The Fashion Institute of Art and Design looks for students who are innovative and aspire to not only participate in the fashion and design industries but lead them on the global stage. Students with these characteristics should attend this school to connect with industry leaders and network with peers, alumni, and affiliated organizations. This institute structures its website to speak directly to those who appreciate the finer things in life and implements the rhetorical strategy of Kairos to appeal to modern students.

Analysis  

On the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising’s website, there is a lot of information for prospective students to sift through. The website speaks of its Los Angeles campus, its mission to promote sustainable practices, connections to the fashion industry, and alumni success stories. As stated in the previous paragraph, the website’s structure is used to speak directly to the hearts of students who appreciate refined designs. Bold colors and simplistic page components help the institution ‘pop’ and remain in the mind of students who can see themselves as leaders and global influencers within the art, design, fashion, and entertainment industries.

At its core, FIDM is an art school. It speaks to those who are creative and who think outside the box. Its advertising reflects this, which is why the FIDM Look Book exists. The Look Book is the best place to begin speaking about structure. According to the FIDM, the Look Book helps prospective students “learn more about what it’s like to be a student at FIDM.” (fidm.edu, Look Book 2021) This Look Book offers a glimpse into life inside the institution and provides well-organized layouts to appeal to those with an eye for design. The aesthetically pleasing pages provide an average amount of information, but it isn’t the information that’s important here. At least not the written kind. The design of the look book, its structure, is organized with several eye-catching components at the forefront. Large photos of Los Angeles, candid photos of students working, and photos of brand collaborations and work opportunities fill the pages and allow students to visualize themselves at the school.

All of the information inside the FIDM Look Book can be found on the institution’s website. However, the organization of the lookbook is much more detailed, acting as an advertisement for the benefits of attending FIDM. It is important to remember that this is an institute of design and merchandising. Every decision made on the website and the accompanying materials is likely made by professionals who work at or with the school. These professionals know how to grab an audience’s attention and use their structuring to guide that audience where they need to go. In this case, the audience is directed towards the Look Book and other colorful parts of the website instead of the deeper information such as pricing, education, and financial aid.

Moving past the website’s design, the next way the structure is used to influence students is through the organization of the website’s success stories page. For context, the website’s mission statement states, “FIDM Graduates embrace cultural diversity and ethical choice while advancing the well-being of their communities.” (fidm.edu, About) The structure of this page provides evidence that supports this statement. By starting with a graduate named Robin Coté, who hosted the Indigen-US fashion show on March 5, 2022, the web page does its best to highlight the different successes of BIPOC students and alumni along with students from other marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community. Coté, who, according to the FIDM website is, “… from the Cote First Nations, which is located in Saskatchewan, Canada,” is a Native American graduate. (fidm.edu, Success Stories) She, along with other alumni such as James Flemons and Sarah Choi, are able to show FIDM’s fulfillment of their mission statement along with their alumni connection and networking opportunities. (fidm.edu, Success Stories)

Outside of structure, FIDM also takes great care to utilize the rhetorical strategy of Kairos. According to Elizabeth Losh and Jonathan Alexander, authors of Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing, Kairos is “a larger rhetorical strategy that focuses on Awareness of the appropriate timing, occasion, or opportunity for a given rhetorical act.” Most examples of this strategy are located within the look book, but a few managed to sneak inside the campus life section of the website.

Starting with the sustainability section of the lookbook, it can be assumed that FIDM’s focus on this practice stems from the popularization of sustainable fashion and climate activism. People (both prospective students and others) have begun to criticize the wastefulness of industries involved in fashion and design. By placing information about sustainability on a spread dedicated entirely to showcasing the institution’s commitment, FIDM aims to entice those aware of the damages caused by plastic packaging and exploitative trade. (FIDM Look Book, 32) As of right now, with climate change and other global emergencies, the emphasis placed on sustainability and ethicality has become mainstream.

Following the sustainability section of the look book comes the website’s global industry practice. As stated in the FIDM’s mission statement, “FIDM’s engaging learning environment and rigorous programs of study develop graduates who become leaders in the industries of global design and business.” (fidm.edu, About) It is no secret that global trade networks make the world go round, and fashion has always been a field that thrived from globalization. FIDM makes sure to recognize that history as they advertise the benefits of attending their institution. The goal of FIDM is to attract students who have the potential to become leaders in their respective industries. These students connect with FIDM’s alumni success stories and are then influenced by that success to apply.

Response

 Personally, I would not attend FIDM. Even if the school was affordable and the campus was located in Georgia, it would be a waste of time without an interest in fashion, design, or merchandising. Even if I was interested in the majors at this school, FIDM’s status as a for-profit university makes me wary. While FIDM does a lot more for its students than most institutions like it, they still hide a lot of information behind a difficult-to-navigate website. They invest in internships, scholarships, supplies, and physical campus, and I know they partner with GUESS to study sustainability. But, outside of their brag sheet, it’s hard to find facts like average GPA, graduation rate, retention rate, and classes offered within majors. Overall, they have an impressive catalog of benefits. However, the difficult-to-navigate website is impossible to ignore. In the end, FIDM is an impressive school. The students it promotes seem to be happy and satisfied with their education. Though nontraditional, the alumni showcased on the success stories website lead me to believe that it fulfills and promotes growth for many of those who choose to attend. Finally, FIDM lacks a student community due to its campus living situation. Community is one of my most important values because those who surround you support you. Since there is no community formed at this university, there is no established support group, which is another nail in the coffin. Even in a perfect world, I would continue to have no interest in attending FIDM.

Works Cited 

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. “Your Storybegins Here.” FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, https://fidm.edu/.

“FIDM Home Page.” FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, https://fidm.edu/.

Losh, Elizabeth M., et al. Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing. Bedford/St. Martin’s, Macmillan Learning, 2021.

Stephanie Vazquez 

Professor Weaver 

English 1102-312 

9 March 2022 

Major Project 3: Summary, Analysis, and Response Essay 

Summary 

Rice University is a private research university in Houston, Texas. The type of student that Rice University wants to see in their school is someone who values diversity, small classes, and who’s interested in building relationships and an unconventional top university. A student who is looking for a top school with high rankings, a close community, and looking for someplace to belong would be happy to attend here. The website made by Rice University uses two strategies to reel in students… knowing whom their Audience is and Imagining Ideal Readers.  

Analysis  

The rhetorical strategy that Rice University’s website mainly uses is Audience. This strategy is simple, the author must know who their audience is, whom they are writing for, and whom their message should be read by.  One of the first examples of this comes from the landing page. As the reader scrolls down there is a quick facts section. This section of the page is straightforward and lets us know facts about the university such as its rank in USA colleges and student to faculty ratio. “Top 20 in USA” “6:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio” The university knows that most of the school website’s readers are soon-to-be students and students who are currently college searching (Rice, “Rice Facts”). The idea of having facts on the first page is not new and is used by many. A facts page means that the schools know that researching students will want to know about the college’s achievements.  

It isn’t until the reader goes on to the office of admissions page that it becomes even more persuasive. Keeping in mind the focus on the audience, the admissions page is catered for the students who are looking at applying for the school. There is one more fact page here that details an explanation of their “loan-free institution”. This is important because if they know that their audience will be students that are seeking a school that will help with financial aid, they will be drawn in by this statement. Rice University says, “It’s no secret that many students from middle-class families are increasingly taking on loans in order to afford private colleges and universities.” (Rice, “Office of Admission”) They are now appealing to the part of the audience that may be of a lower social class. Meaning that the school is trying to include every one of any social class. They continue saying, “As a loan-free institution, we invest in our students so they can graduate without the burden of student debt.” (Rice, “Office of Admission”) They are trying to reel in the students who may fear student debt. These strategies will work in answering the biggest questions students have about attending college which is ‘how am I going to pay for this?’ 

A second rhetorical strategy that is being used throughout the whole website is Imagining Ideal Readers. This is similar to the previous strategy ‘audience’ as they both focus on the reader and how they would be reacting to reading the material. The biggest point is that the author often asks the reader questions. The first thing the reader sees on the admissions page is “What if your next four years exceeded all expectations?” (Rice, “Office of Admission”) The school is depicting all these questions throughout the site. This is because the author is catering to that student who will be thinking about the questions asked. For example, another example of this happening is when they ask, “What if one of the top research universities didn’t act like all the other selective schools?” (Rice, “Office of Admission”) The student looking will start thinking maybe I do want to go to a top school that is unique in its approach to helping students. The author is using this strategy of asking questions to reel in that ideal reader. Another question they ask is, “What if a prestigious school looked for ways to open doors instead of close them” With this statement, we can deduce that they want students who seek out prestigious schools and who are invested in trying to help the students (Rice, “Office of Admission”). If a student reads that and thinks to themselves that this school might be offering what they are looking for, then this website did a good job in imagining the ideal reader of their university page.  

Response 

Rice University is a seemingly prestigious research university in the heart of Houston, Texas. This school has a lot of things I am looking for, diversity, and small classes are a big win. I do enjoy the idea of being in a city where there are a lot of fun activities to do. Whether the university stayed in Houston or moved to Atlanta I think the school would be a good choice. It is a well-respected institution with a variety of majors to choose from. Personally, if I were to choose a path as a scientist, I think this school would be a wonderful choice because of its research focus. Science is one of my interests, but I am mainly looking for schools that offer a variety of music degrees such as music technology or music therapy. This school does not offer those degrees but does offer a more classical approach to a music degree.  

Admission to the school is estimated to be around 17k after financial aid. (Rice “Cost of Attendance”) However if money was not a problem, I think Rice university would be a good stable option for someone to spend their time in. I can tell from the website that they are proud of the traditions of the school and all the majors they offer. One of my values in life would be creativity, I think this university would do a great job in fulfilling that value in my academic life. The school often has events going on, community bonding events, and as well as musical concerts that students may attend. This type of thing is important for me in school, I think it would be wonderful for a school to unite students together through more creative means.  

Citations 

“Cost of Attendance.” Office of Financial Aid | Rice University, Rice University, 2021, https://financialaid.rice.edu/cost-attendance.  

“Rice.” Rice University, 2022, https://www.rice.edu/. 

                                                                               Summary

“Stanford University” by YS is licensed under Unsplash.

On its website, Stanford University introduces its programs and history since they were founded by Leland and Jane Stanford in memory of their only child, Leland Stanford Jr.  From their reputation and campus introduction, Stanford University holds creative, outstanding, and demanding curriculums that promote entrepreneurialism. This proves Stanford University, “the Harvard of the 21st century” by Slate, to be the best university out there for those selective students who want to pursue an impressive education, capable of nurturing “a strong venture culture.”

                                         Analysis

Stanford University uses ethos and imagining ideal readers to persuade their readers. They write the website “Stanford University” on the Wikipedia page to convey they are the best university compared to other universities. To persuade their greatness to the reader, Stanford University provides facts that increase their reputation in the world of education.

As of ethos strategy, Stanford University provides evidence of when Frederick Terman, father of Silicon Valley, supported the local industry entrepreneurialism at Stanford during its time in financial crisis back in World War II (SU, Introduction). The support he made to the students and faculties led to the foundation of the greatest cradle of innovation called Silicon Valley. This story uses the ethos strategy by increasing the credibility of Stanford University.

“Stanford University” by daybreakwithray is licensed under Unsplash.

As of April 2021, Stanford has produced lots of notable people which includes “85 Nobel laureates, 29 Turing Award laureates, and eight Fields Medalists” (SU, Introduction). It shows the success of its students, alumni, faculty, and staff which causes people to believe that entering this school will make them notable as well. This makes the university trustworthy in an education matter.

Further from those successful ones, there are companies such as Google, Yahoo, LinkedIn, Instagram, Cisco, Snapchat, and Coursera which are built with a closer association to Stanford University (SU, Businesses and entrepreneurship). This implies that Stanford University has the resources and culture to help people succeed, which makes the university attractive to start-ups. These appeal to the readers which increases the authority and credibility of the school using ethos strategy.

“Stanford University” by Jeremy-Bezanger is licensed under Unsplash.

Moving on from science, Stanford has also built a reputation in athletics. According to Stanford University, “[They] have won 137 NCAA team championships, more than any other university, and were awarded the NACDA Directors’ Cup for 25 consecutive years, beginning in 1994–1995. In addition, by 2021, Stanford students and alumni had won at least 296 Olympic medals including 150 gold medals” (SU, Athletics). These victories show that Stanford is the right place for those who want to pursue athletics as a career. This fact persuades students who want a good experience in athletics because the school has good credibility in the sport.

Furthermore, Stanford used imagining ideal readers, who are likely to be convinced by the idea that Stanford University is a good fit for them, strategy to persuade their readers. In their overall argument, they have created an image that creative, hardworking, and outstanding are their ideal prospective student. However, in a paragraph sense, Stanford has proposed the type of student they are expecting.

According to Stanford, the six-year graduation rate is about 20% higher than the four-year graduation rate because of the university’s coterminal program which provides students with a master’s degree by extending 1-2 years from their undergraduate degree (SU, Student body). Most of Stanford’s undergraduates choose a coterminal degree that helps them get their master’s degree by increasing their graduation year by one. This idea puts an imaginary ideal reader of whom want to complete their master’s degree by using the coterminal degree program Stanford provides are most of their students.

When spanning our attention to the social group, Stanford has a “Groups span athletics and recreation, careers/pre-professional, community service, ethnic/cultural, fraternities and sororities, health and counseling, media and publications, the arts, political and social awareness, and religious and philosophical organizations” (SU, Student groups). Social groups at Stanford are vast, making it easy to find one interest among them. But what makes Stanford’s social group interesting from other universities/colleges?

“Stanford University” by Jeremy-Bezanger is licensed under Unsplash.

In contrast to other colleges, Stanford has a policy that any individual interested in a group must have an open opportunity to join the club (SU, Social group). A policy that abides with their motto “The wind of freedom blows” (SU, motto). Stanford, in contrast to other colleges, is a great place to join a group of one’s interest without the restriction from its group members. This provides an image of Stanford’s strong community and a collaborative environment culture which in turn provides their imagining ideal reader while writing this website.

As evidence for the freedom of social groups, Stanford is home to a set of student journalism publications like The Fountain Hopper which tells about the Brock Turner story that reports about the sexual attempt of a freshman man to a sophomore woman at Stanford University (SU, Student group). Stanford is a place where freedom of speech is not restricted. The use of this sentence is intended to provide an imaging ideal reader for students who want to be a journalist and have journalist experience in a university that respects their freedom of the press.

When all is said and done, Stanford University uses ethos and imagining ideal reader strategies to persuade its ideal prospective students that it is the best university out there. Stanford uses ethos to increase its credibility to be trustworthy in the further details it provides. Furthermore, they use imagining ideal readers to increase students who apply to the university.

                                      Response

When I was a child, I was optimistic about the future since friction in life was rare. But as I began to grow up, it became harder to believe the future is promising because of all the challenges I have to face. Nevertheless, I believe that even if there is a challenge coming my way, if I have the “audacity to hope”, I can see a light in the darkness.

Stanford University holds a similar value. The university stayed optimistic even at the time of its financial crisis period in 1893 when the founder, Leland Stanford, died. This demonstrates the fact that the university stayed firm despite its challenges.

“Stanford University” by Allen Gong is licensed under Unsplash.

They did that by supporting the local industry to be entrepreneurs. Now, they have become a great place for innovation that changed the game for the whole world. Google, for instance, was a research project created and funded by Stanford University. Now, Google gives us information from any place on the earth as long as we are connected to the internet or not banned by the government.

As a student, I am enthralled by a university that has a culture of hope in the things they do. A belief in a good and bright future is the value I want to see from a university that I could possibly attend. So, if given the chance to attend this great university, I would not turn a blind eye to make this decision, I would join Stanford University.

                                 Works Cited

“Stanford University.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Mar. 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_University.

Summary

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private, non-profit university located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The university is known for its aviation and aerospace engineering programs. Their website seems to be directed towards students who are driven, curious, and planning to pursue careers in aviation or engineering. ERAU uses the “emotional tone” APATSARC strategy and “imagining ideal readers” as their larger rhetorical strategy.

Analysis

The APATSARC strategy that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University uses the most on their website is emotional tone, and they imagine ideal readers as their larger rhetorical strategy. On their website, ERAU takes a very welcoming and confident approach towards their readers. They show many pictures, articles, and videos of the accomplishments made by their faculty members or students. Bold headlines like “’Gregory, Lyrintzis Named ‘Among the Best Minds in Aerospace’” (Pinholster), or “Reaching the Red Planet: Eagles Build Instruments for Mars- Bound Satellites” (Cavaliere) were placed on the home page of their website. By displaying these headlines on their home page, readers can tell that if they were to attend ERAU, they’d be part of a very proud and successful community. They also present many impressive pictures of students doing things like lab work, testing model airplanes, building robots, and competing.   

Although ERAU used emotional tone as their argumentative strategy, they don’t necessarily present their university in a heartfelt manner. There weren’t any sentimental  articles or pictures on their website. Instead, ERAU structured their website to create feelings of inspiration and welcome in their readers. Their “Values, Mission, and Vision” page is emblematic of this. While analyzing ERAU’s mission statement for emotional undertones, small words and phrases began to stand out. Some apparent ones were “…in a culturally diverse community that supports the unique needs of each individual”, “Embry-Riddle will be the source for innovation and excellence…”, and “We will be the unquestioned global leader…” (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University). To a student who might be interested in applying to ERAU, the website presents the university as welcoming, diverse, innovative, and community-oriented. It displays students as proud Eagles (ERAU’s spirit animal), the faculty as upbeat and helpful, and the campus as spacious and lively. As a result, students feel urged to apply.     

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University imagines ideal readers as their larger rhetorical strategy. When analyzing their website in a more general sense, it becomes clear that they’re targeting a specific kind of student. Namely, students pursuing degrees in aviation or aerospace engineering. Even though ERAU offers other programs such as biology, astronomy, business, and art, aviation and engineering programs are their main focuses, as stated on their “Values, Mission, and Vision” page. It reads “ Our mission is to teach the science, practice, and business of aviation and aerospace engineering” (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University). These programs are also the ones most represented in their articles and pictures. On their home page, they proudly state that Embry-Riddle has 9 top ten spots in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 rankings. They placed fifth in best aerospace engineering programs, as well as most innovative schools nationwide. 

In connection to aviation and engineering students, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has another kind of ideal reader: students who believe in collaboration, ethicality, and innovation. They make it clear that they want curious, determined, problem-solving students. This also connects to ERAU’s specialty in aviation and aerospace engineering programs. The skills they want their students to have are ones that are important in those fields. 

To summarise, Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University uses the APATSARC element “emotional tone”, and the larger rhetorical strategy “imagining ideal readers” to attract and persuade their ideal students to apply. Through analyzing ERAU’s website, the congruence of the two strategies becomes noticeable. They use emotional tone by displaying  inspirational phrases, pictures, rankings, and headlines that represent the school’s overall success to grasp the attention of their ideal student: aviation and aerospace engineering students.

Response 

If all barriers were uplifted, I would definitely apply to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. They have awesome programs, faculty members, research opportunities, and campus resources. If I were an interested student looking through their website, I would feel welcomed, and I’d consider applying. Their mission statement page shows that they’re confident in the community they’ve created and the discoveries made by their students. That’s something anyone would be interested in being a part of.  

One thing that really stood out to me is the different hands-on opportunities that ERAU provides to students. They have a variety of labs, research projects, and competitions. The number of resources and equipment they invest in shows how much they value discovery. Another reason why I would apply to Embry-Riddle is that they have really nice weather throughout most of the year. Their Daytona campus is 2 miles away from Daytona Beach, which means that they receive more than 230 sunny days in a year on average. Although tropical weather is bound to bring in heavy rainstorms and hurricanes, it’s still a risk worth taking. Lastly, I would attend ERAU because of its value for community and involvement. They have plenty of clubs and social events, which I think is really cool. All in all, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univerity seems like a pretty decent school, and I’d go if there weren’t any obstacles. 

Works Cited

Cavaliere, Mike. “Reaching the Red Planet: Eagles Build Instruments for Mars-Bound Satellites”, 13, Dec. 2021, https://news.erau.edu/headlines/eagles-build-instruments-for-mars-bound-satellites

Pinholster, Ginger. “Gregory, Lyrintzis Named ‘Among the Best Minds in Aerospace”, 01, Feb. 2022, https://news.erau.edu/headlines/gregory-lyrintzis-named-among-the-best-minds-in-aerospace

“Values, Mission, and Vision”, https://erau.edu/leadership/president/values-mission-and-vision

Emily Perales                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Engl 1102+ Section 298 –Professor, Weaver                                                                                                                                       Assignment: Major Project 3: Summary, Analysis, and Response essay                                                                                                           Due: 3/9/22 
email address: eperales2@student.gsu.edu 

Summary:  

Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State is a public university located in Kansas, United States. FHSU is a large regional public university whose education and staff are dedicated to teaching and mentoring students with programs and resources. FHSU is looking for students who show to do good in school. 95% of students at FHSU secure jobs or higher education opportunities, which is an example of logos, since they use logical reasoning.  FHSU website also uses “Imagining Ideal Readers,” because based on their requirements they imagine students who demonstrate academic success applying to their school. 

Analysis:  

Fort Hays State University strives to have students who achieve academic success. They are looking for students who have proven themselves to be dedicated workers in school and who will continue to do so. The requirements prospective students need to have is a GPA of 2.25 or higher and a minimum ACT test score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1080 or higher. And their cost of attendance for Kansas residents is $5,443.80. FHSU website has a lot of great ways and strategies to persuade prospective students to attend their university. One of the ways they persuade students to go to their school is by using the APATSARC strategy, Logos. For example, in their website it states that “A remarkable 95% of FHSU students secure jobs or higher education opportunities after they graduate” (FHSU- About page,2022). Which is a great piece of evidence that uses logical reasoning to persuade students that there is a good chance that they will get a decent job opportunity once they graduate from FHSU.

Fort Hays State University also used logos when they stated that “$59 million in financial aid is awarded is awarded annually”(FHSU- Academics page, 2022). Which is a way of convincing prospective students that they will most likely get financial assistance. One of the requirements on the website is, “Have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher on a scale of 4.00″ (FHSU- Admissions page, 2022). Which means that students who visit the FHSU website and have a 2.25 GPA or higher are more likely to be persuaded to apply. Another strategy Fort Hays State University uses “Imagining ideal readers” to persuade prospective students because when they wrote about the requirements, they knew that the prospective students reading them were either going to be affected or persuaded by the requirements needed. 

FHSU also states that “Fort Hays State University is proud to offer an immersive, advanced education to hard-working individuals who wish to grow their opportunities for tomorrow” (FHSU-Academics home page, 2022). FHSU was thinking about prospective students who know that they do good academically and show effort that they do work hard in school. And a student who has the ideal required ACT/SAT scores, which can be used to help them with scholarship awards, are likely to be persuaded as well. Since students can get scholarships that can help them financially just because they do well on their test scores. On the other hand, students who do not meet that GPA requirement are most likely to be affected when applying to FHSU because they will be upset that they have a disadvantage when it comes to applying.  

Fort Hays State University also has a section in their website called “Success Stories,” that shows their graduates stories and their experiences at FHSU. For example, they interviewed a girl named Remington that graduated in 2019 and they asked her “Why FHSU?” (FHSU, Success stories page). and she responds with “Not only were the professors caring, but other students and staff welcomed me as well, Fort Hays now feels like a family to me”(Remington – FHSU, Success stories page, 2018). This is an example of how their website uses a graduated student’s experience, to show prospective students that Fort Hays State University is a welcoming University that cares about their students and staff. They also asked her “What advice would you give the class of 2023?”(FHSU, Success stories page, 2018) and she responded with “Some of my best college memories came from taking classes and joining organizations that I did not initially consider”. College is a time for exploration.”(Remington – FHSU, Success stories page, 2018). The university’s website does an excellent job at persuading prospective students to apply to FHSU because this shows students how if they join the schools’ organizations, they can make the best memories of their college experience at Fort Hays State University.  

Response:   

I would go to Fort hays State University if it were in Georgia and if money were not an issue. I like how the University feels so welcoming through their website. FHSU has many resources to make students’ college experience easier and memorable. In addition, I meet one of their requirements, which is a 2.25 grade point average or higher. I think being in an environment where people care about your well-being is really important to me because I work better and do better. One of the most important values in my life is my well-being because I’m someone who has always struggled with stress and anxiety. So, the fact that FHSU has a Health and wellness services program to help students with their problems is what caught my attention for example FHSU states that, “We offer therapy services to help with a wide range of mental health concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, college transition, drug and alcohol use, grief, and relationship issues”( FHSU- Health and Wellness services page, 2022) Which I thought was nice, because not a lot of universities offer that kind of help, they don’t think about the challenges students have to go through.  

This just shows that FHSU not only cares about their student’s education but their well-being as well. I feel like my well-being is really important for me because feeling good about myself can help me have more motivation, especially in my academic performance. I think the key to living a good life is to just be happy and healthy. Being a university/college student can be stressful, so the fact that Fort Hays State University offers help for things I struggle with, such as stress and anxiety, persuaded me to want to go there. Therefore, I would go to Fort Hays State University if it were in Georgia and if money were not an issue because it is wonderful place for students to learn. And because FHSU also prioritized their students’ well-being which is one of my most important values in life.   

 Citations: 

“About FHSU – Fort Hays State University.” Fort Hays State University,  

 www.fhsu.edu/about , Accessed 8 Mar. 2022.  

” Health and wellness services – Fort hays state University.”  https://www.fhsu.edu/health-and-wellness/

“Academic FHSU- Fort Hays State University.”  https://www.fhsu.edu/academic/

“Admissions FHSU- Fort Hays State University.” https://www.fhsu.edu/admissions/admissions-application/ 

Jaslyn Hamilton 

Weaver 

English 1102 

8 March 2022 

 
 Summary 

Georgia Southern University is a public university in South Georgia that has three different campuses. GS University is a school that looks for diversity in students, not only in gender and race, but also in income. A student should go there especially if they have a STEM related major. A student should attend this school if they are looking to go to school in a less busy city, but also somewhere where they can follow their passion.” (GSU Home Page 1) Georgia Southern is large enough to provide endless opportunities, but personal enough to feel like home.” 

 Analysis 

When first going on this website it was very interesting, the structure and Kairos are two rhetorical strategies that can easily first be seen. When seeing how the website was formatted, it shows great structure and seeing the motto of the Georgia Southern website itself shows Kairos, because of how the author of the website chose to put it right at the beginning. “To belong. To shine. To dig in and make a difference. Georgia Southern is large enough to provide endless opportunities, but personal enough to feel like home.” (GSU Home Page 1) This is the motto of Georgia Southern University which goes hand in hand with the values that the university has which is “People, Purpose, Action: Growing ourselves to grow others.” The mission that they have is centered around their learners and making an environment that prepares them to think, lead, teach, and serve. Also known as GS, Georgia Southern, like the name entails, is in South Georgia. GS has three different campuses, located in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville, with more than 27,000 students and 140 different degree programs. Georgia Southern’s main campus is in Statesboro and was established on December 1, 1906. GS has many different values for their university including collaboration, academic excellence, discovery, innovation, integrity, openness, inclusion, and sustainability. The mascot for GS is the eagle and they are NCAA Division I athletics.  

On the website itself, it was easy to navigate and find all this information out, because of the structure. The structure, when first going on the website, starts out showing the name of the University, the motto, and having a button to click for the admissions to apply for the school. The homepage of this website looks more as if it is sent in place for people who are interested in or applying for the school. The homepage has more information about admissions, majors, and different interests on why the reader on the website should choose GS as the university they should attend. Also on the home landing page, they make sure to prioritize the “apply” button at the top, by putting it in a distinct color. GS then, in my opinion, puts what they would think would be the most important to a new student looking at their website, in order from greatest to least, with labels of information about the school. Under each of these labels there are distinct categories that specify and make it easier for someone going on to the website to find what they are looking for. These various categories going from the top to the bottom are also in order from most to least appealing to a new student that might be thinking of applying. 

When students are thinking of applying to GS they want to know as much as possible about the school and they want to have all the questions they have answered. GS website caters to appealing to a new student, it is set-up to show a student of interest what the school has to offer. The website does this by using many different rhetorical strategies, one of them being Kairos. The GS website does a lot of thinking within the text and strategic placement, for example putting a specific link in a place where a student is guaranteed to see it. In the world right now, we are going through a global pandemic, which concerns many people, especially a fresh high school graduate that might be moving away from home to go to GS. On the home landing page, in a bright color that can be very easily seen and is near the top of the page, the website has a link to their plan of action against the global pandemic. They put this there, because they know this specific topic would be of urgency for someone to know. They were strategic in choosing what to put from left to right, knowing that in general most people read from left to right and being a new person would click the first tab, which is the “about” tab. Under this tab they make sure to mention their high rankings in categories that might be important to someone reviewing the website and thinking of applying.  

Response 

From writing this paper and learning about Georgia Southern, it is apparent to me that they prioritize new students. This raises the question: would I go to this school? So, just from what I know from researching on the website and trying to dissect what I have read, I would say yes this would be a college I would go to. I also feel like in my first year going there, I would be a priority for the school as would all the other first-year students. Excluding all the structural barriers, Georgia Southern would be a college I would go to, because of all the things that I read about that can be different interests for me. One of the words that I related to the most from the in-class value list was the word “trust.” When reading this website, the word trust did come to my head, especially when reading the motto of Georgia Southern. Part of the vision says “Growing ourselves to grow others” (GSU Missions and Values 9) and the word that correlates with that the most to me is the word trust. Not only if I chose to go to this university, am I putting trust in them to think that they have my best interest in mind and at heart, but they are also putting their trust into me. When the university chooses to accept me and enroll me in their school, they trust me to make their school a better place. So, in a nutshell, Georgia Southern would want me to help their school grow while they are helping me grow when I am enrolled there which requires them putting trust into me and me doing the same back to them. 

University Associates & Staff, Georgia Southern University, 8 March 2022, https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/