Running head: THE IDEA OF SOCIALISM IN AMERICA

Socialism and Its Implementation in America as Pondered by Americans

Jacobo Villegas
The university of Texas at El Paso

Running head: THE IDEA OF SOCIALISM IN AMERICA

Abstract
Two different genres (one being typographical and the other being iconographic) were examined,
analyzed, compared, and contrasted to see how the authors/content creators viewed the idea of
socialism in practice in the United States of America and the criticisms that this thought had. To
begin there will be a general introduction the topic with a description of each genre, from that
point forward there will be explanations of questions given on three main topics, Structure and
Delivery, seeing how the information has been organized and presented by the respective author,
Audience, and Purpose, taking a look at who this information would interest and focus on the
most along with a description of each genre, and Rhetorical Issues concerning Ethos, Pathos, and
Logos, viewing the information and expanding on the morality, empathy, and logic given to the
reader. Following this, there will be a synthesis of all of the information provided to conclude the
paper.

Running head: THE IDEA OF SOCIALISM IN AMERICA

Both of the pieces that were looked at have a common topic, and that is the topic of
socialism. In the first piece, which is a web blog (typography) titled The Benefits of Socialism
the author Niki Fears opens up the narrative by introducing two points which are crucial to
understanding her viewpoints. These two points are that she is a strong anti-capitalist and a
supporter of socialist models (Fears, 2010) This is clear evidence that there will be a strong bias
throughout the blog post. Her main argument is that there is a clear stigma towards socialism
from many people and that should not exist because it has many benefits to society. The second
piece is very much different from the first as it is a video on YouTube (iconography). The
content creator of this product is Kyle Kulinski, a liberal radio host with his own show called
Secular Talk. His primary argument is to defend Bernie Sanders and socialist policy in America
using the aid of a clip from a cable network talk show featuring Senator Sanders.
Albeit these two sources have the same general topic being discussed they both differ
from each other in how the information is delivered to the reader/viewer. Fears blog post uses a
more formal use of vocabulary throughout which has significance in the fact that the message is
more clearly given without there being confusion trying to understand any obscure slang or
jargon. For the most part The Benefits of Socialism by Fears is comprised of bullet points in a
sort of list format. The author here has a challenge and an advantage in putting all the
information in such a format it is a much simpler and cleaner layout, but it may not allow for
longer sentences within the bullet points. So, although there is a minor limitation there the
message is properly conveyed with an introduction to the topic, a body of bullet points, and a
small conclusion to close off. The information provided by Kulinski is not held together by a
concrete shape, it is sort of like a liquid in which the molecules are not so firmly held together.
Since it is a video there is no visible layout unlike in Fears blog post, this does not necessarily

Running head: THE IDEA OF SOCIALISM IN AMERICA

hinder the piece because although it cannot be read it has freedom in how the tone is presented
by the content creator. There is a much more laid-back vocabulary including swears and high
energy tone used in the video and this is shaped by the audience of the piece. The two pieces
clearly differ from each other in the vocabulary and in structure. Another factor that separates the
two from each other is the delivery, in Fears blog post (s)he goes straight to the point as
opposed to Kulinski where he brings up a clip from the Bill Maher show.
For each genre, there is a particular audience that it is focused towards. In the first genre,
the content provided is for a person who is interested in politics, this could vary from the curious
casual interested person to the highly active person, but it could also be aimed towards those who
are having a second thought at different economic systems. If one is not too fond of how they are
in their current situation due to the political economic climate then they might look for an
alternate path or route in society, by taking an interest in socialism. Primarily this piece is
designated to inform the audience about how socialism would tend to have more people
involved in the democratic process (Fears, 2010) but since the author stated the (s)he has a bias
towards socialism over capitalism the piece may be considered to have the purpose of persuading
people into looking into socialism. For the second genre, Kulinski uses a vocabulary that would
more than likely appeal to an audience of younger viewers that are becoming more and more
interested with the public sphere of politics and their relevance in popular culture. Unlike the
first source where basic information is provided to the reader in the second source, there is event
specific information that revolves around contemporary issues i.e. Bernie Sanders candidacy in
the Democratic primaries earlier this year. The information provided in this genre is at the ready
for the viewer to inform them on current events with some sort of opinion facing the certain
example. In a way, this source also has the purpose of entertaining the audience since Kulinski

Running head: THE IDEA OF SOCIALISM IN AMERICA

has this sort of high energy when he speaks during a moment where he tries to prove a point. The
audience for the second genre would definitely be a much younger person, perhaps and
adolescent or young adult. This group would definitely work with the purpose since the younger
viewer will be able to make better connections with the use of contemporary pop culture in the
issue of politics all while learning and being entertained. The obvious purpose comparison
between the both of these genres is the promotion of socialism and its pros, disproving the
stereotypical cons.
Each of the genres has some sort of proof that helps establish the validity of the
information. In the first genre, the credibility is considered credible because the web post is on a
website titled Politics Report this website contains news and editorial pieces that have to do
with economic/political issues on federal, state, and local city levels. The second genre uses
credible information because there is a use of a clip with two very capable figures (Bill Maher
and Bernie Sanders) Since these two men are experts it should be believed that the information is
factual. Aside from the credibility aspect of these two genres, there is the emotional aspect that
has a depiction or lack of this. In the first piece, there is no real presence of emotion considering
it is text. The reader may have a difficult time trying to interpret the type of tone the author is
trying to use. The second piece does not have this problem since it is a video. This being the
case, Kulinski provides a verbal emotion projection style where the viewer can get a sense of
how the creator feels, e.g. the creator uses a passionate tone when agreeing or disagreeing with a
certain tone. Another key factor that was analyzed in these two genres was the evidence
provided to support the claims by both content creators. In the first genre, the evidence provided
is the author him/herself. This is because (s)he claims to be an active supporter of socialist
models and systems; this means that she must be savvy in the subject. In the second source the

Running head: THE IDEA OF SOCIALISM IN AMERICA

evidence provided to cover the information given is the fact that two specialists are part of the
clip, this means that they are to be generally accepted as correct, as for Kulinski he has some sort
of reputation, having his own radio show and web page, the knowledge he is providing should be
taken at face value. Both genres are similar in the fact that will be experts are the ones reporting
the information from their end, Fears from the blog post and Kulinski from his YouTube video.
The first genre has definitely achieved its purpose of persuasion and information by
providing appealing knowledge that only seems to benefit the United States of America. In the
second genre, the purpose of entertainment was achieved due to the hosts ability to throw in bits
of humor and quips into the mixture of information. Kulinski is also able to maintain viewer
attention by using the contemporary issues of societal politics. In conveying their messages, the
second genre had a higher success and this is due to the fact that the content creator used a verbal
tone that was able to evoke genuine emotion which could grab a viewers attention and persuade
them all while explaining the issues in socialism with American culture. Both of the genres were
able to make an impact on discourse because they are able to convey their messages with very
informative, persuasive, and entertaining tones (to each genre respectively).

Running head: THE IDEA OF SOCIALISM IN AMERICA

References

Fears, N. (2010, June 29). The Benefits of Socialism. Retrieved September 13, 2016,
from http://politicsreport.com/news/benefits-socialism
Kulinski, K. (2015, October 19). Bill Maher & Bernie Sanders Explain 'Socialism' To
America. Retrieved September 13, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INN2Xyn0Xr4