Oratory and Argument Analysis

Nikki Giovanni's "We Are Virginia Tech"

Let's listen to Nikki Giovanni's epideictic oratory. Thinking about Aristotle's discussion, what can we say about Giovanni's style? Also, consider how the speech "works" in terms of context, audience, purpose, etc.?

Thinking about 'The Misery Index'

I came across an argument last year (Feb. 8th) on NPR about the "Misery Index." Basically, the Misery Index is supposed to indicate how bad the economy makes people feel. It's measured by adding the inflation rate with the unemployment rate. Here's a link to the Misery Index since 1948.

In order to believe this index, one must believe several things. Let's look over the indexes (or indices...show off). What must a person believe in order to agree with this index? Consider the following factors:

• Inflation
• Unemployment
• The President
• Capitalism

Basically, what I'm asking is to think about the assumptions that give this index meaning. What makes the index an accurate gauge for determining the economic health of a nation?