Assignment 2. Should I...?
Should I go see this movie; buy that app; listen to this album; or go to that concert?
These are all important decisions— and your audience needs help making one of them.
PROBLEM:
Your audience wants to know if something (music, lipstick, video game, shoes, and so on) is
any good. They have come to you for your written opinion, which they will rely upon to help
make their decision.
AUDIENCE:
Your audience is someone your age in roughly the same circumstances and having had
similar experiences. It is not you, but people similar to you: your peers.
PURPOSE:
You are helping your audience make the right decision for themselves, which makes for an
interesting challenge. On one hand, you’re going to have to be opinionated and persuasive.
You’re making a value judgment about something and convincing your audience that you are
trustworthy, knowledgeable, and correct. On the other hand, you’re also going to have to be
informative, telling them what they need to know about your subject in order to make a
decision for themselves.
Type out your work on the process steps and turn it in with your completed
instructions. This includes a draft before your revision. You will not receive full credit if
you do not show your work.
PROCESS:
1. Choose your subject. Pick something that intersects with your experience and interests,
something you haven’t experienced yet. If you like horror movies, for example, find a horror
movie you haven’t watched.
The new IPhone 16 pro & 16 pro max
2. Find models. Find something similar to but not the same as what you want to write. If you
want to review the game Silent Hill, don’t read reviews of Silent Hill. You are the expert,
and your opinion and experience should be untainted.
[Link]
[Link]
You’re looking for examples of written solutions to this particular writing-related problem.
Rotten Tomatoes aggregates movie reviews. Every newspaper in the country reviews TV
shows, restaurants, music, games, and gadgets, and you can find reviews of just about
everything on the Internet.
3. Analyze the models. Answer at least these questions:
a) What kinds of information and background do your models share?
-there are previous models
-many college students have at least one product from the manufacturer
b) How are they structured?
-each phone has their own review, and they are being compared to each other
based on that
-price first, then pros and cons, then review
c) Where is the author present in the piece of writing (in other words, how much do they
talk about their own personal experiences)?
-towards the end of almost each phone review, the author gives their opinion on
the phone they are writing about
-between sharing facts of the phone
d) How do they judge their subject?
-based on personal experience
-comparisons
-upgrades
-price
-things that could be improved
e) How do their examples help the audience to make their own decision?
-it gives a clear understanding of what the product is, and the reader can make
their decision based off of that
f) Does the reviewer do a good job of balancing their opinion with the facts? Why do you
think this?
-I think it would be better if there was a little more opinion in the writing
-it’s mostly facts
4. Experience your subject. Watch the movie, read the book, try the app or lipstick or video
game, whatever you chose. Make sure to take notes on your experience (during the
experience, if possible). Consider whether your subject should be experienced only once prior
to writing, or if it’s the kind of subject that is best experienced multiple times before you write.
a) How would you make that decision (about whether to experience it multiple times or
not)?
-going and testing it out
-comparing it to what I have now
b) How might this difference make for a different piece?
-personal experience helps you to compare and make your decision
- it also shows that you know what you’re talking about
c) How might the needs of your audience influence these choices?
-if someone needs a new phone, they would be more likely to buy one
-if someone has other priorities that they must pay for, they are less likely to buy
a new phone
5. Analyze your audience. Be particularly thoughtful in considering your audience’s
knowledge.
a) What do they know about your subject?
-they know what an IPhone is
-they have a phone themselves
-probably don’t have too much free cash if they’re a college student
b) What might they need to know? At what point in your review will they need to know it?
-what the price is
-trade-in opportunity
-student discounts
-if it’s worth the money
-upgrades from old IPhones
All needs to be known before buying
c) What kind of information is necessary for them to make their own decision?
-if they need a new phone
-if it’s realistic for them to spend that much money on a new phone
-all of the previously stated above
6. Draft. Write the review for your audience. Remember your purpose (to show your point of
view and also give enough information that your audience can make a decision for
themselves).
Another year, another IPhone. or at least that’s what it seems like. Every September
Apple comes out with a new IPhone, and they make sure you know about it with advertising
everywhere they possibly can. Billboards, and ads so that you can’t watch anything without
seeing Apples new legacy IPhone. This year, it’s the IPhone 16 pro and IPhone 16 pro max.
Apple has come across some controversy around their IPhones. According to the BBC,
Apple was fined 25 million euros in 2022 for deliberately slowing down older IPhone models.
Apple has since claimed that they only mess with the phones to increase battery life.
However, I own an IPhone 11 and notice that every update I install seems to decrease the life
of my IPhone even more than the last one. Despite this, Apple does claim this new IPhone to
last you for several years.
Let me tell you a little about these new phones. One of the main components of new
IPhones is the camera quality. With each upgraded IPhone, the camera technology in
increased. These new phones have increased portrait mode, enhanced video features, low-
light photography, and there is even a button on the side of the phone to take you straight to
the camera, so you don’t have to spend time looking for it when you want to capture a quick
moment. The phones come in four finishes. (black titanium, white titanium, natural titanium,
and desert titanium) All pretty neutral colors compared to the previous IPhones.
The golden question that you're probably wondering is how much it costs to have one
in your hand. Well, the answer to that question is $999 for the IPhone 16 pro, and $1199 for
the IPhone 16 pro max (pre-tax). For a thousand dollars you can be the owner of a brand new
IPhone 16. Apple devices are usually the most expensive on the market, but this cost is
usually justified by the buyers based off upgrades from the previous IPhones. If you have an
IPhone 14 or 15, the upgrades may not be distinct enough to condone these prices. Apple
does offer trade-ins for old Apple devices to put towards your new one. However, with every
year that passes (or new IPhone release), the value of your device will go down about $100
towards trade in.
What's the difference between the two new IPhones you may ask? The IPhone 16 pro
has a 6.3-inch display and gets up to 27 hours of video playback, while the IPhone 16 pro
max has a 6.9-inch display and gets up to 33 hours of video playback. If you really need the
longer battery life and like a larger display, the IPhone 16 pro max would be the pick for you.
Ultimately, the IPhone 16 pro and pro max do have new things to offer, but it may not
be the right choice for everyone. Unless it’s been a couple years since you last purchased a
phone, need the upgraded camera, or you have the money to spend, the small upgrades from
the previous IPhones are not worth the high price and you should really weigh your options to
see if this is really the right fit for you.
7. Revise. After walking away from your draft for a while, re-read it while pretending to be a
member of your audience. Make any changes that you think are necessary.
Another year, another IPhone. or at least that’s what it seems like. Every September
Apple rolls out with a new model, and they make sure you know about it with advertising
everywhere they possibly can. Billboards, and ads so that you can’t watch anything without
seeing Apples new legacy IPhone. This year, it’s the IPhone 16 pro and IPhone 16 pro max,
but do they truly stand out?
Apple has faced some controversy around their IPhones. Notably, according to the
BBC, Apple was fined 25 million euros in 2022 for deliberately slowing down older IPhone
models. While Apple claims this was only to extend the battery life of their phones, I’ve
experienced firsthand how updates often seem to degrade the performance and battery life of
my IPhone. Despite Apples assurances that the IPhone 16 will last for years, skepticism
remains.
Camera and Design
Let me tell you a little about these new phones. One of the major selling points for the
new IPhones is the camera system. With each upgraded IPhone, the camera technology is
increased. The iPhone 16 models feature enhanced portrait modes, improved low-light
photography, and advanced video capabilities. They also included a convenient camera
button that allows for quick access to the camera for it when you want to capture something in
the moment. The phones come in four finishes. (black titanium, white titanium, natural
titanium, and desert titanium) All pretty neutral colors compared to the previous IPhones.
Pricing
The golden question that you're probably wondering is how much it costs to have one
in your hand. Well, the answer to that question is $999 for the IPhone 16 pro, and $1199 for
the IPhone 16 pro max (pre-tax). Apple devices are known for their premium pricing, and this
model is no exception. Many costumers often justify this cost based on significant upgrades
from previous versions. However, if you have an IPhone 14 or 15, the enhancements may not
be enough to warrant another investment. Apple does offer trade-ins for old Apple devices to
help offset the cost. However, it’s worth noting that with every new model released, the value
of your device will drop, often about $100 towards trade in. This depreciation raises questions
about the long-term value of investing in the latest IPhone, especially for those who frequently
upgrade.
Specifications
What's the difference between the two new IPhones you may ask? The IPhone 16 pro
has a 6.3-inch display and gets up to 27 hours of video playback, while the IPhone 16 pro
max has a 6.9-inch display and gets up to 33 hours of video playback. If battery life and
screen size are priorities for you, the pro max may be worth considering.
In-Store Experience
I visited my local apple store to have the opportunity to handle these new models
firsthand. My initial impression was positive-I was struck by the phones’ sleek design and
textured matte glass back. The camera button’s functionality impressed me as well, especially
being able to use the button to zoom in and out of the frame. However, upon using the phone,
I found myself feeling a bit underwhelmed. The experience felt surprisingly similar to my
IPhone 11. The all-around screen display is appealing, but the overall experience didn’t feel
significantly different. It just didn’t seem like there were enough changes to warrant an
upgrade, especially for those with recent models.
Conclusion
In summary, while the IPhone 16 pro and pro max offer some exciting features and
enhancement, they may not be the right choice for everyone. For those who have not
upgraded in a couple years, need a better camera, or simply have the budget to spend, these
new models could be worth considering. However, for many users, particularly those with an
IPhone 14 or 15, the small upgrades may not justify the price tag.
Ultimately, the decision to invest in the IPhone 16 should be made with careful
consideration. Are the improvements significant enough to enhance your daily experience? If
you find that your current device is still preforming well, it might be wise to hold off for another
year or explore other options on the market and really weigh your needs against the price and
features before making a purchase.