1. Andrew Paladino
Comm. & Rhetoric Studies 225
Project 4 Final Reflection/Analysis
December 7th, 2014
Throughout my semester in Public Advocacy, I learned the basics of what it
takes to be persuasive and argumentative. Throughout the course of various
lectures and mostly recitations, we were provided with the tools it takes in
becoming an effective public advocate. We learned the importance of the subject as
a whole. Without persuasion, how would an individual find the keys to success?
Through various mediums of persuasion individuals today make used of media
technologies in getting their points across. Mediated messages are huge aspects of
today’s society. They provide persuasion techniques in order promote a specific
entity. Sometimes, these messages are used to advocate against a particular conflict.
The use of media in promoting a particular movement brings us to Project 3, a
hybrid text.
In conducting my hybrid text for the course Communication and Rhetoric
Studies 225, I realized that I was demanded to research more, support my research
with different claims, and provide solutions led to resolve the conflict. In contrast
with the first two projects that were presented through our own words, the hybrid
text allowed me to go in more in depth. I was able to provide facts found from
research and further discover visuals that allowed for my audience to be
emotionally affected. Instead of using our words to persuade our audience required
by project 1 and 2, the hybrid text allowed us to establish a greater argument and
then provide evidence to specify our stance in the conflict.

2. In order to address the conflict of hazing on college campuses, I looked at
various forms of the practice across the country to incorporate it into my text. I
made sure each example would be shocking towards the audience. I used an
example of hazing on the campus of West Virginia University where, just weeks ago,
freshman Nolan Burch was found dead at a Kappa Sigma fraternity. Autopsy showed
that he had consumed too much liquor. The events directly resulted in the
suspension of any form of Greek Life on campus that has influenced various forms of
protest among the institution’s students. Another example I used to convey the
harm of campus hazing occurred on the Campus of Chico State University in
California. 22-year-old Matthew Carrington died after a hazing incident that was
found to be a result of water intoxication. Because of the thousands of cases of
hazing are prevalent around the nation, advocates against the issue and protesters
have created organizations and campaigns. Included in my hybrid text are examples
of activism these organizations have taken part in. I feel as if this allowed the
audience to know that people have stepped up in their ability to change the
situation. My rhetoric choices allowed for an immediate solution to be
brainstormed.
I conducted my hybrid text in the hopes that the individuals practicing hazing
would become educated on what the practice can lead to. The individuals may range
from members of collegiate sporting teams to even brothers and sisters within a frat
or sorority. Because Greek life perhaps the largest social aspect of universities and
institutions, it is necessary that my message affect group members directly. In
addition, college sports are known for various induction rituals that promote the act

3. of hazing itself. Sometimes within sporting programs, it is necessary that some form
of dominance is present. I included in my hybrid text multiple images and campaign
photographs that would catch the eye of individuals who take part in the appalling
ritual. On one page of the text, I included series of four images that were created by
Pace University in order to promote National Hazing Week, a period of five days set
aside to recognize a harsh reality. The week is now recognized by thousands of
universities across the Unites States. Other miscellaneous images are graphic,
because they reveal how severe hazing rituals can be. Elements in my hybrid test
that are necessary to understand in order for the reader in order to get my message
across are revealed through listed statistics. For example, on the 4th pages of my
hybrid text, I included a detailed chart titled “Hazing Occurs Across Campus Groups”.
The chart further reveals reported hazing incidents and which form of hazing was
found most popular. According to the chart, drinking games are part of 26% of
hazing incidents. Although the statistics of the chart were written in a formal way, I
attempted to adhere to college students by writing informal text to highlight the
chart.
I attempted to write stories in my hybrid text that students my age would
actually pay attention to. It is uncommon today that kids my age are gravely affected
by dangerous incidents. Often times it is shocking to a college audience to hear that
a close friend similar in age has been injured to the point of no return. The stories I
included within my argument, especially the story of Michael Fernandez in the
opening pages, are meant to change the perspectives of students my age. In the
opening paragraph of my hybrid text, I made an important claim that was the basis

4. for my argument. “In order to maintain a safe environment where we can be educated
without the fear that hazing might end an individuals life, we must do everything in
our power to end the practice.” The claim I made was supported through evidence I
researched from various websites. I was able to find prevention efforts through
campaigns and campus activism. For example, I used the website stophazing.org and
found that 44 out of 50 states have made hazing an illegal practice. I then researched
examples of incidents and different prevention efforts to show why all 50 states
should put an end to hazing.
The evidence I proposed was targeted at my efforts in promoting my logos.
By backing up my evidence with factual claims from websites through which I found
my research, I promoted my ethos. Finally, through my attempts at shocking the
audience through various images that were direct results of hazing rituals, I
promoted my pathos. In order to further promote my position, I used words such as
terrifying, and unfortunate when describing incidents. Often times I used the word
suspension to promote that fact that rituals resulting in tragedies can directly result
in the suspension of Greek life (WVU Campus).
The different mediums I used in conveying my message were personal
videos, disturbing images, and most importantly text. I made sure to use to include a
personal account through a YouTube video because it showed the extent to which
hazing can directly affect an individual (Mike White, YouTube). The video also
conveys the fact that the incident could have happened to anyone. Through my use
of the medium of text, I was able to convey detail that might not have been provided

5. by a video or even an image. I had the ability to describe an event or image that I had
included in my essay.