Heartland, U.S.A.

The city of St. Louis is the heartland of America and a must see for your next vacation.  Obvious sites include the world famous Arch and the recent world champion Cardinals. While these tourist attractions could keep you entertained for hours, the people truly make St. Louis thrive.  A warm greeting and a pat on the back await you and any visitor who happens upon this pleasant place and the sense of brotherhood that resides is infectious.  Adding to the enjoyment, St Louis boasts moderate weather that brings you outside and helps set the pleasant mood in this serene environment.  St. Louis, Missouri captures your attention and becomes your paradise through its fun atmosphere, great location and numerous attractions. Hands down, St Louis is the best city in the United States and the city to visit on your upcoming summer vacation.

Busch Stadium

Of the premier attractions there, the Cardinals are the most widely known. The team is the pride and joy of St. Louis natives and it shows during games at Busch Stadium.  My first trip there was one I will never forget.  I was able to walk all the way around the field as part of a special event they were doing and I later enjoyed an exciting game.  Although I attended games when the old stadium was in use, I was still in awe at the immensity and great atmosphere it provided.  The glistening new stadium has all the luxuries you deserve at a professional baseball game such as comfortable chairs, a clear view and a beautiful environment.  The stadium sits in the middle of the city and you are able to view the ongoing game as well as downtown.  The hustle and bustle of the of the city contrasts with the relaxing baseball mood and provides good alternative entertainment.  The crowd themselves also make Busch Stadium the place to be on a warm summer afternoon.  The contagious enthusiasm for the game and their team is noticed immediately and you become immersed in the intense environment.  As the greatest city in America, St Louis deserves the best team in sports, and the Cardinals are that team.

St Louis Arch

Alongside Busch Stadium is the Arch.  This 630-foot structure is the tallest in the city with human accessibility, thus it is an ideal place to get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area.  It sits right on the bank of the historic Mississippi River and you can ascend to the top of the Arch through elevators.  This was definitely a scary part for me because I am afraid of heights, but when I reached the top I wasn’t scared anymore.  The comfortable viewing area allowed me to relax and I was able to have fun with my family.   This family favorite monument is one of the best America has to offer and it's right in the middle of wonderful St Louis.  

Downtown St Louis

Visitors to St Louis keep themselves occupied with the wonderful attractions in the city. The sites are a must see, but you should find time to wander the streets and taste the local flavor that’s emitted in the culture and spirit of the city.  It is such a friendly place and you immediately feel right at home among the citizens.  I remember when I first moved there I pulled my bike out of the moving van and five minutes later I was riding and playing with many of the neighborhood kids.  I could feel their sense of hospitality and pride right away as a newcomer to St. Louis.   St Louis natives will also be the first to tell you their city is great and their obvious love for it keeps it that way.  The residents also keep their history alive through the restoration of older buildings.  Their efforts make it possible for you to see the old and new St Louis and appreciate what has been done.  The city of St Louis is an impeccable example of what a city can be when the citizens’ care and love for it enough to preserve it and share what it has to offer.  Your visit there will be truly memorable because of the greatest citizens in America.

St Louis is one of the best cities in the United States.  The color and character it has make it impossible not to become absorbed in the excitement. The city gives you a chance to experience old and new St Louis and other great attractions.  St Louis is at the heart of America and it represents what every American dreams of, peace and kinship with their neighbor.  I invite you if you haven't yet, to come to St Louis and immerse yourself in all it has to offer.  As an outsider who has come to love it just as much as those who still live there, I can say that St Louis will capture your heart and attention and leave you grateful you visited.

Lift

  This video always gets my spirits back up and gives me the lift I need when I'm having a bad day.  I thought I would share it with you guys just in case you were having a bad day.

Logos, Pathos, Ethos

Ethos:  I establish my authority by the fact that I lived in St Louis and have more knowledge about it than those who didn't.  I cite specific examples and give detailed descriptions of what is available in the city.  The voice I use could be described as brochure-like and that alone could convince people that I have credibility.

Pathos:  The emotion I appeal to is mostly comfort, having fun, and a family friendly atmosphere.  I use words like care, preserve, love, luxury, home and others to provide a relaxing feel to the paper.  My personal connections to the city help me describe it better and that enables me to convince people to visit St Louis.  I think my passion for the city is evident and when reading this piece one appreciates that and wants to hear more.

Logos:  The logic I appeal to is that people like to have a good time and so they should come to St Louis.  I give good evidence that the city is fun and exciting and I allow readers to have a visual of what I'm talking about with how I describe what's there.  I use the claims, reasons and assumptions technique to tell people that if they want to enjoy themselves they can come to St Louis and participate in the many attractions they offer.  I think my use of writing to people who want o have fun makes the city inviting to them and they would want to visit.

My claims, reasons and assumptions. So cool

Claim: St Louis is one of the greatest cities in the U.S.

Reasons: The Arch, the Cardinals, nice people, fun atmosphere, entertaining, safe, nice scenery.

Assumptions: People like to have fun, be entertained, and be in a good environment.

St Louis, A great city. Op-ed thesis

Among the many exciting cities to visit in the U.S., St. Louis, Missouri captures ones attention and becomes a vacationer's paradise through its fun atmosphere, great location and numerous attractions.

OpEd topic brainstorm

• Conflicts
• War, hunger, politics, presidential election, decaying society
• problems with those things or some of the good that comes from those things
• what government has done to help or hinder those topics
• how I have been affected
• what my thoughts are
• what my solution is
• why I care about these topics
• Can these problems be fixed

Class Intro

My name is Tanner Banks and I live in Tooele, Utah.  I was born in Oklahoma though, so I like to say that I'm from there.  I like to play sports and I did about every available one in high school.  I tore my ACL twice while in high school and so I had to miss a few seasons of sports.  When I was in seventh grade I had cancer.  I underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and I'm healthy now.  I have had a few health scares and so I thought I might want to give back by becoming a doctor.  I have done some things to get involved in that field and I realized it's not for me.  I want to give back in other ways and so I also look for ways I can serve.

 I love my family and I really enjoy spending time with them.  I have four siblings and one is on a mission.  I'm the second oldest in my family and I like to help out my younger siblings.  I am also happy to be at BYU and get involved in all it has to offer.