Abstract
The aim of these research is to compare and contrast Uraneck`s art article to the engineering article written by the professors of the American Society of Civil Engineering and the way they have used ethos and logos in a purpose of better representation and connection with the audience. Both articles, in different manners, successfully use appealing methods to establish the credibility of the authors by showing their expertise in the mentioned subjects.
Compare and Contrast paper
The author of Picasso’s “Academic Study of a Cast of a Classical Sculpture” (1893-94) and the Sight-Size Technique, Joan Uraneck, begins the article with her name and the educational institution, that she is affiliated with, at the top of the paper. Besides an artistic background in engineering sciences, Uraneck, in order to provoke ethos, mentions the education and techniques of famous artists such as Carolus-Duran, Bonett, Leon, and the way that they used to incorporate `Sight-Size’ technique in their works. Similarly as Uraneck, Smith et al. (2001) in the engineering article called “Design and Measured Behavior of a Hybrid Precast Concrete Wall Specimen for Seismic Regions”, are also using conventional data techniques, samples, engineering terms, figures and facts about concrete and joints. Clearly, by using specific vocabulary, measurement and graphics, they aim to provide evidence for their knowledge of the concepts behind seismic engineering.
Further, Uraneck (2008) offers a precise depiction of the models, graphics, definitions and other components that define the main principles of ‘Sight-Size’ techniques. As she implies, the mentioned technique requires the same size of the subject and the drawing surface that should, logically, appear the same in dimension (Uraneck, 2008). Knowing all the details of the sculptures made by Carolus-Duran, Bonnet and Picasso; Uraneck is aware that she can persuade the audience to understand the so-called ‘Sight-Size’ method. For that purpose, she examines the work of Carolus-Duran, who was, in due course, teacher of John Singer Sargent – the author of the famous Size of Life. As Uraneck (2008) writes, Duran would place his canvas on a level with the model and he would walk backward until the canvas and sitter were equal before his eyes. This narrative line, along with the names of artists` techniques, is simply used as a layer that serves to increase the interest of the audience.
On the other hand, Smith et al. (2011) were also using ethos to provide an accurate and concise explanation of the topic. Thus, the language looks simple and plain although the contest related to quality production of precast wall structures does not include common knowledge. Thus, the authors utilize 3D-DIC system: a system which provides full-field information for the behavior of the wall at the base to prove findings of the previous studies related to hybrid precast wall structures, analyses, measurements and modeling figures. (Smith et al., 2011).
Anyway, both of the articles use logos to support the facts, measurements, figures and analyses. While Smith et al. (2011) define the main outlines of the topic and offer measured behavior of the hybrid concrete wall sample, Uraneck (2008) has no determinate purpose at the beginning of the article. However, her goal is clear. She offers a clear and logical explanation of the origin, background and the usage of the “Sight-Size” technique. Moreover, she allows the audience to see the observations of the famous artworks through the lens of their authors. On the other side, Smith et al. (2011), have determined their goal at the beginning of their article. Since it is an engineering article that involves acquisition techniques and digital image correlations, the results could be used as a relevant index on concrete`s behavior and steel reinforcement as well as on behavior along the horizontal joints.
Conclusion
To sum up, the authors of both articles employ logos and ethos to confirm knowledge in a certain field. Furthermore, both articles use logos not lonely in the provided quotes and citations, but also in the flow of the information. Aside from logical structure which includes support evidence and details, the authors also used ethos, in the beginning, to establish their credibility and show their expertise in the subjects by citing other specific authors and textbooks related to the fields they are familiar with. From a rhetorical analyses perspective, both articles are able to help the audience understand the main points of the readings. Also, the tone of the articles and the style of their composition could tell us that they are written by credible sources, extremely professional authors who were able to transfer a clear message to their audience.
References
- Smith, B. J., Kurama, Y.C., & McGinnis, M. J. (2011). Design and measured behavior of a hybrid precast concrete wall specimen for seismic regions. Journal of Structural Engineering, pp. 1052-1062.
- Uraneck, J. (2008). Picasso`s “Academic study of a cast of a classical sculpture” (1893-94) and the Sight- Size technique. The Burlington Magazine,Vol.150, No. 1269, pp. 826-828.
