AOW #10: Article

Summary: This week I read an article about a current conspiracy theory of the illuminati and their goal to create a new world order.  Many believe that members of the illuminati are the famous and rich of the world, such as public figures Jay-Z and Oprah.  These members are so rich and powerful that they control the government and world affairs, theoretically.  The article goes into depth about possible member Jay-Z, who is estimated to be worth billions of dollars.  He has made many references in his music to  the illuminati, Freemason society (a selective elite fraternity), and demonic figures.  This makes listeners question if Jay-Z and other rappers are simply seeking attention, or actually in an organization seeking world domination.
Source/author: Brian McManus is an experienced writer of about 12 years who wrote about food and music for Houston Press for 5 years, before being a nightlife columnist.  Since then he has written for Philadelphia Weekly, where I found this article.  He has also recently written a book, Philadelphia's Best Dive Bars.  Philadelphia Weekly, also know as PW, is an award winning alternative magazine published every Wednesday.  It has featured coverage of local and national politics, arts, music, film, and theatre since 1971.
Context: This article is overall about the conspiracy about an elite group called the illuminati, who wants to establish new world order.  The exigence for this article is that people have recently come to believe that current public figures, whom are rich and famous, are part of this group and intend to take over the world by spreading their ideas through media.  Because our society has recently developed a very divided economic and social structure which has been made very public, people like to come up with ideas as to way the rich are so powerful.
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present how this conspiracy is and is not plausible.  McManus presents viewpoints of different members of society and evidence of the existence of the Illuminati to argue either side.  I believe that he does not favor either side in order to make the reader consider which they think is true.  In this way he accomplishes his purpose to make a reader develop their own opinion.
Audience: Readers of PW magazine.
Rhetorical Elements: McManus tries to be very unbiased and logical when writing this article, using mostly quotations and ideas from others about the conspiracy.  He does this in order to not take a side on the issue.  In this way he also juxtaposes evidence for and against belief in the illuminati.       

http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/cover-story/The-Illuminati-Conspiracy-or-New-World-Order.html