Rhetoric (NYT articles)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/travel/09prac.html?_r=1&8dpc&oref=slogin
This article is using a little bit of logos persuasion, as it is using logical to make a statement—that might not be the main thing—the internet being a bad influence for such things, as hotel and room reservations. Logical because, it is an idea our society has been developing throughout the past years. And, it is logical, to say, that if reservations online turn out what they’re not, it is rather preferable to do direct reservations.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/technology/techspecial/12threat.html?ref=technology
Is talking about computer programs and systems not being infected by hackers or viruses; rather, by themselves.

It might be difficult to convince the mob that supposed ‘clean’ programs are the ones who are damaging the computer. Speaker uses pretty much the persuasion of logos, because emotion and character doesn’t deal at all with discoveries in our technology. But then again, why would proving something based on research be logical? It might not belong to any of these forms of persuasion at all.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/opinion/12wed3.html
In this article, the speaker is using a bit of each persuasion, mostly logos (explains that people are doing wrong at avoiding such law, because children need proper education to they can exceed later on in life), and ethos (because the speaker is expressing that the lack of education goes against his beliefs and ideas).

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/arts/television/12goss.html?ref=arts
This article doesn’t use persuasion, as the speaker is only trying to inform, rather than state an opinion. Talks about this new series called “Gossip Girl” on Warner Channel, and how much popularity it is gaining.

Perhaps, wants to convince readers to watch the series, but there is no evidence whether the speaker has seen the series or likes them.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/09/09/travel/09weekend.html?ref=travel
Though the speaker is not trying to persuade someone about something, he/she is giving them advice on how to plan their weekend depending on where they live, if they are interested on Salsa.

Indirectly, though, he persuading a little bit, telling people to go to have some fun and dancing at salsa clubs. Therefore, he is using the persuasion of pathos and ethos, as within his emotion he likes salsa, and within his character he enjoys it.

In overall conclusion, I was able to understand that most of the articles within newspapers are not rhetoric. Though some articles are based on personal opinion, a newspaper is all about informing a general public, about whichever topic the article is dealing with.

So, it might use persuasion, but not as intense. The newspaper is not seeking to express their opinion on a certain topic, because, it is true, what could it serve them? Or their readers? They are rather trying to convince their audience to make their own minds about what they inform about; because, as the speakers, they must be aware that the people reading this, each has its own ideas or beliefs.