To: Professor Maruffo and Scholarly Peers
From: Lauren M. Ramos
Date: Monday November 29, 2010
Subject: Project Assessment Memo
Many companies and stores in the U.S. purchase their merchandise from factories in places such as China, India, and Africa. These specific regions do not have laws that protect the rights of their workers, nor do they discriminate against age when they are hiring their employees. Many of these factories, or sweatshops, hire children to carry out hazardous tasks, underpay their workers, and provide dangerous environments in which they require employees to work. In my PSA, I am encouraging people to buy American made products rather than those that are produced in these sweatshops. I attempt to appeal to my audience by the use of the three rhetorical appeals: ethos, logos, and pathos.
Throughout my video, I play a somber melody. It was rather difficult to decide what genre of music I wanted to use; music is always extremely crucial in the production of any video. I did not wish to use a lively tune because the issue that I am addressing requires a more serious atmosphere when discussing it. I want my audience to feel sympathy for these workers. I also used specific images to appeal to a certain emotion in each individual. I start off with the American flag because the sight of it always brings a sense of patriotic duty to any situation. I want my audience to believe that by buying American made products, they are serving their country and doing it a great service by helping out the U.S. economy. By seeing the pictures of the factory workers, it helps to get a better visual understanding of the production of the merchandise these individuals purchase and wear every day. The pictures of the children are meant to touch them; no one wants to see a child work while they should be enjoying their youth. All my images work to bring about certain emotions from my audience.
Throughout most of the semester, I have been researching this specific topic, trying to become more educated in the matter. I have written several pieces concerning this issue as well. I would not say I am an expert, but I have done my research. At the end of my PSA I cited the images, music, and statistics I used. All these details should help establish my credibility. I also use short concise facts that I researched from a very reliable source.
The facts that I used are placed in a specific order so that they lead up to the main point at the end of my PSA. Buying American made products will help the economy. At this point in time our country in is a recession, and buying foreign made products will not help enrich our economy. Factories in foreign countries do not have the same laws the protect their workers as the U.S. does. The company is free to hire employees of all ages and pay them whatever salary they see fit. These factories abuse their workers, and by purchasing the products they produce, we as consumers are giving them the “okay” to continue what they are doing. Actions speak louder than words. It seems logical that by purchasing American made products rather than foreign made ones, we will be actively participating in the cause to fight these factories that abuse the rights of others. As consumers we will be supporting the constitutional rights of an individual half way across the world.
The abuse of constitutional rights should not be an issue during this day and age. These workers are being abused and taken advantage of. Buy American made products. Say “no” to these companies that so easily overlook and abuse the rights of others. I hope that my PSA will encourage individuals to take action and to be aware of the purchase they are making next time they go to a store.
