TOW #13: Visualization: Volvo Truck Commercial

    As part of the audience, my jaw dropped as my first reaction to this commercial. I was not sure what to expect from the image that appears before pressing play, for all I was able to see was a man wearing a denim jacket, black gloves, and a straight face. Behind him obviously there were two trucks of some sort, turning out to be Volvo, but I thought the trucks may have just been a part of the background scene. His calm yet empowering accented voice grabbed my attention as well, and really drew me in to the commercial. After he had my attention, the camera zoomed out. I realized the man was going to complete a full split up in the air, with each foot balancing on a different truck. While watching this commercial, I wondered what it was for. Turns out, Volvo used this man for a stability test. "This test was set up to demonstrate the stability and precision of Volvo Dynamic Steering". Therefore, Volvo's purpose of showing the most "epic of splits" was to prove the stableness of a Volvo truck. By appealing to the audiences emotions, Volvo was able to achieve its purpose. Audience members may feel shocked or surprised or impressed while watching the commercial. It immediately draws their attention and keeps their eyes on the screen. While watching in awe, the line about the stability of volvo appears on the screen. Volvo provides the direct message their trying to send, while giving the audience something to enjoy. By appealing to the audiences emotions, Volvo is able to demonstrate the stability and precision of Volvo Dynamic Steering. The audience may be anyone of any age watching TV, and as an audience member, I believe that Volvo did achieve its purpose. I along with my family were certainly impressed!

Tow #12: IRB: 127 Hours: Between A Rock and A Hard Place by Aron Ralston Part 1

       127 Hours is about Aron Ralston, an average man who decided to hike in the beauty of the natural world. Specifically, into Utah canyon lands. His hike began on Saturday, April 26th, 2003. The supplies in his backpack are enough to get him through his planned day of hiking. Some batteries, water, chocolate, and other camp-like equipment. Not in a million years did he ever imagine the life changing obstacle he were to face -- getting trapped between a canyon wall and an eight-hundred-pound boulder. Aron Ralston, author of his own story, exploits the "adventure" with appealing details that grab the readers' emotions. Throughout the beginning of the book, he introduces the scene, his family, and himself. Eventually he leads into the dramatic and frightening tumble of the large boulder. His right hand and wrist pinned against the canyon wall, Ralston survived off a scarce amount of resources. From a reader's perspective, I believe the Ralston does an excellent job appealing to the audience's emotions. The story itself is astonishing and inspiring, but the details add a whole new level. Throughout the book, Ralston believes that his circumstance will end in death, although, he isn't ready to give up living. A question between the text and the reader may be: what is Aron going to do next? What will be his solution to his situation? From hilucinating to drinking his own urine, his near-death experience is jaw dropping. Ralston's use of first person also keeps the reader engaged, as if the story were happening to them, at that moment. Delivering every important detail as possible, Ralston keeps the reader engaged emotionally and mentally. The audience may vary, from teenagers my age and younger, to older adults. The book can appeal to anyone, for it is a truly astonishing and inspirational book that would keep anyone engaged. As a reader, I believe that Ralston achieved his purpose throughout part 1 to introduce the story and deliver it thoroughly.

Tow #11: Article: Thanksgiving Mystery: Does Turkey Make You Sleepy?

By: Brian Handwerk



Often people feel tired after they're large Thanksgiving feast. Some say it's because of the turkey, but is that true? Brian Handwerk wrote this article to inform his audience (fellow turkey eaters) whether or not that assumption was actually correct, followed by the possible reasonings to post Thanksgiving feast naps. Turkey has a specific ingredient, called tryptophan, which is what people believe to think causes the drowsiness sometimes felt after consuming turkey on Thanksgiving day. With respect to those beliefs, purified tryptophan is a mild-sleeping agent, but "tryptophan cannot reach the brain in large amounts when ingested as part of a massive Thanksgiving feast". (Handwerk) Tryptophan can also be used as mood booster. If it doesn't cause the Thanksgiving drowsiness, than what does? According to Handwerk, studies have shown that high calorie meals often result in sleepiness. Through all these specific facts, Handwerk achieves his purpose of declaring whether or not Thanksgiving turkey makes you tired, and what actually may. He provides many facts about tryptophan and why it isn't the cause for the drowsiness followed by studies showing that high calorie meals could be the reason to a tired feeling after eating. (Thanksgiving feast being a high caloric meal for the majority of people) I, as a turkey and Thanksgiving meal lover myself, believe that Brian Handwerk did achieve his purpose. He used facts throughout his whole entire article to prove what may cause tiredness after a Thanksgiving meal and why the beliefs of tryptophan are incorrect. I have always wondered what the truth was to the assumption, and by reading this article, I learned the truth to this Thanksgiving myth. After all, like exemplified in the article, I don't feel tired after eating a normal turkey sandwich, so why think otherwise when turkey is survey on a large plate instead?

TOW #10: Article: Myth or Fact: Celery Has Negative Calories

Myth of Fact: Celery Has Negative Calories
www.fitday.com




Many people believe that celery has "negative calories", meaning that, eating celery will burn calories. The truth is, is that celery is about equivalent to water. Although water, when cold, can work better for the human body because bringing cold water up to our body temperature takes energy. Celery can be considered as  "negative calories" because the human body cannot process any of the plant calories it actually does contain. Whenever a human eats celery, it passes through their digestive system without being processed. A stalk of celery may total to around 6 calories, and our body uses around 6 calories of energy to digest, therefore the resulting in celery being considered as a "negative calorie" food. The author of this article, achieves their purpose with the use of similes and facts. The author compares eating celery to sleeping, which proves to the audience the truth about celery. "Eating celery all day long would make about as much difference as sleeping all day would." By comparing the two, a reader can realize the impact celery may actually have on their body. Although celery is considered a negative calorie food, it still would take a very long time to have a direct effect on the human body. Clearly this simile is backed up by facts, which the author also uses to reveal the truth about celery. People who want to eat celery to lose weight often end up gaining weight because eating so little calories can end up having a negative effect on the human body. "Most scientific studies have shown that restrictive calorie diets can cause more weight gain in the long term through period of yo-yo dieting; those who instead eat sensibly without restricting calories gain less weight over time." Also, in the beginning of the article, the author tells the audience as to why the human body does not process any calories when eating celery. Through facts, the author displays to the audience (people trying to lose weight, dietitians) the truth about celery. As a curious reader myself, I think the author achieved their purpose. I was always curious about this, and maybe found my answer.

IRB Intro Post: Marking Period 2

This marking period, (mp 2) I will be reading 127 Hours: Between A Rock and a Hard Place written is about Aron Ralston, a hiker, (also the author), found himself stuck, his right arm pinned to a canyon wall by an eight-hundred-pound boulder. For several days, he has a scarce amount of food, water, and warmth. But somehow, he manages to survive. I chose this book because my dad recommended it to me, and it seems like it is going to be really good. From this book, I think I'll gain a whole new appreciation for the moments I live, while also learning to never give up, just like Aron Ralston.

TOW #9: Visualization: M&M Commercial

   This commercial was one of the most popular during the super bowl one year. The audience loved it, and it gave everyone a laugh. It was the commercial most people talked about afterwards, which basically means that it's purpose was achieved. M&m was advertising their newest m&m, the brown covered one. By appealing to pathos, the commercial uses humor to create it's purpose of advertising the uniqueness of the m&m. As seen in the commercial, it begins with a sophisticated female M&M who is laughed at by two humans because they think she's naked from her brown chocolate shell. Following that, she says "only a fool would actually think I would show up naked…" immediately after she says that, a red m&m comes in dancing and rips his red shell off so he's also naked. To add to the humor, the song Sexy and I Know It is playing while the male m&m is dancing. Also, because m&m is so well known, it helps the commercial display its credibility. M&m has the most variety out of any other chocolate brand. Peanut butter, peanut, pretzel, almond joy, and they continue to make more. Majority of people love m&ms which made them watch the commercial and helped the commercial achieve it's purpose . The advertisement had a large audience when it was aired. Football fans, families, kids, and more.  The m&m company keeps the audience engaged and achieves their purpose. I don't think it would have been known as one of the most popular commercials during the Super Bowl if it weren't for the humor. t as part of the audience believe the m&m did achieve it's purpose. In conclusion, m&m achieved it's purpose and displayed the uniqueness of m&m while also introducing the new color that wasn't ordinary.

TOW #8: IRB: A Memoir of Hope Solo with Ann Killion: Chapter 2-End

Throughout the book, Hope Solo has several different purposes. For instance, in the beginning chapters, her purpose was to describe and introduce her family and lifestyle to her audience. Obviously, then, as the book goes on and the reader is informed about the people and aspects of the book, the purpose changes. Hope Solo's main purpose throughout the book is to prove to young athletes and people with goals, that they can achieve what they work for and overcome certain hardships and obstacles that seem to be standing in their way. Hope used anecdotes throughout the whole entire book to exemplify her experiences and life story to achieve her purpose. She tells stories about her father, who had a great impact on her life. She also includes many examples of lessons she's learned throughout her life that have carved the person she is today. For example, when her team lost a big game, her teammate, Bri was in net, and out of anger Hope told the reporter that she could have made the saves Bri made. By doing that, she violated team rules and insulted both her coaches and teammates. She eventually learned from her mistake, even if it took a long, miserable time. Leading into her soccer career, Hope shares her accomplishments, her disappointments, and her setbacks.  By using anecdotes, Hope also appeals to the reader's emotions. Her memoir takes the reader through her roller coaster of a life, including her Dad, the media, friends, high school, and last but surely not least, soccer. The exciting road to the World Cup Finals in 1999, and the heart breaking loss to Japan. Through her detail throughout each anecdote, the audience can really feel the suspense of certain moments, the excitement of others, as well as the heartbreak. As a reader and an athlete, I believe Hope achieved her purpose. This book is an inspirational story of the best goal keeper in the world. Hope Solo, and she proves to young athletes that they can achieve what they work for and overcome certain hardships and obstacles.

TOW #7: Visualization: Nike Commercial

"Greatness is not some rare DNA strand, it's not some precious thing. Greatness is no more unique to us than breathing. We're all capable of it. All of us." This commercial, displays an overweight boy running down a long path. The brand Nike, chooses to approach their advertisement with a deeper message to the audience. Any brand can create a commercial saying "buy our product" but what Nike really does, is appeal to the audience emotionally, which helps them achieve their purpose of motivating their audience, and saying, with Nike, you can find your greatness. Nike uses an overweight boy running a long road to prove that anything is possible, and for anyone, greatness can be found. The boy helps appeal to the audience's emotions, and forms a sense of motivation for an athlete, a person trying to lose weight, or just anybody in general. The man speaking in the commercial also creates a sense of seriousness, yet calmness. The voice is soothing to the ear, and transfers the message to the audience in a more meaningful way. With that voice, the audience really listens, and is motivated. Also, at the end of the video, when "Find Your Greatness" with the Nike swoosh shows up, it advertises the brand. So not only was the commercial meant to motivate the audience, it was also meant to attach them to the message, and realize that Nike could be a good choice for them. Also, the fact that it is Nike, automatically proves it's credibility because of how well known Nike is around the world. Being an athlete and being part of the audience that watches this commercial, I firmly believe Nike achieved their purpose. This commercial motivated me, inspired me, and also reminded me how awesome Nike is. I believe that if anybody wants to, they can become great.

TOW #6: Article: Teens and Sleep

I found this article interesting because junior year has taken quite a toll on my sleeping pattern...last year, I was so tired if I didn't go to bed before 10:30! This year, I'm happy with going to bed by 11:30! "Teens and Sleep" provides facts, consequences, solutions, and data about sleep and the lack of it. It starts off with facts, how sleep is obviously needed for the body to function properly, and the irregular pattern of a teenager's sleeping life. Followed by the facts, are the consequences. Lack of sleep limits a persons ability to learn and concentrate. It could also contribute to illness, and effect behavior. Some solutions include making sleep a priority, and sort of obvious things like get your homework done and stay on top of things. The poll data includes research with teenager's mood changes that come with the lack of sleep. The author of this article, reaches out to adolescents who are struggling with a sleep problem. Maybe parents, too, can read this to get more information to help their kid who barely sleeps anymore. The author uses facts and research to backup the purpose. The purpose of this article is clearly that sleep is important and is a necessity in ones life. The entire section with facts and data provides accurate examples to prove to the reader that the author is credible, and to prove that sleep is important. "Research shows that lack of sleep affects mood, and a depressed mood can lead to lack of sleep." It all sort of seems to be a cycle...lack of sleep can affect a mood, but yet being stressed out can also prevent sleep, which then follows in a circle. As a teenager myself, I believe the author achieved their purpose. I agree with majority of the things stated, and the facts and research really helped me understand the purpose with more depth. This article also taught me a lesson. I wasn't aware of some of the consequences lack of sleep could bring, so from now on, I am going to try extra hard to not procrastinate so I can get the sleep I need. After all, 5-6 hours a night isn't working out too well for me. 

TOW #5: Article: Benefits of Chocolate Milk After Your Workout

Benefits of Chocolate Milk After Your Workout
By: Jeff Bayer

After a long, hard workout in the gym, on the track, or on the field, athletes often wonder what the best food is to put in their mouth. Many people like to reward themselves on the sweet side; a candy, a cookie, or an ice cream cone. They feel as though they've earned it from burning calories, but then their peers tell them how they just ruined a solid workout with junk food. Obviously something healthy with protein is a good post-workout snack, but turns out, so is chocolate milk. Athletes can get their calcium, protein, and a little sugar! Benefits of Chocolate Milk After Your Workout by Jeff Bayer is an article strictly on why chocolate milk is a standard after workout treat! Through facts and cause & effect, Bayer lets readers know the benefits of drinking chocolate milk after a workout. He provides the protein content, carbohydrate content, and calcium content. Supporting himself with facts, Jeff Bayer is credible to the subject. For instance, "Also, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that, when taken immediately after exercise, milk-based proteins promote greater muscle protein synthesis than soy-based proteins." or "A study by the International Journal of Sports Nutrition had subjects perform three interval-style, exhaustion workout sessions on separate days, and then monitored the recovery that was demonstrated. The subjects consumed either chocolate milk or a carbohydrate replacement fluid post-workout." Those facts lead into cause & effect, for the athletes who drank chocolate milk during the interval session showed enhanced performance showing that the carbs in the chocolate milk were doing a better job in recovery. Also, according to Bayer, "By drinking post-workout chocolate milk you will increase your daily calcium intake, and increase the likelihood of an optimal power stroke." Throughout the whole article, Bayer is stating the cause & effects of drinking chocolate milk after a workout and also incorporating facts. With these methods, he informs the audience -- whether its an athlete or any person who is curious after their daily exercise -- that chocolate milk is beneficial and should be consumed after workouts. I believe that Bayer achieved his purpose, he backed himself up with solid facts and proved the benefits to the human body after drinking chocolate milk after or during a workout.

Tow #4: Visualization: No-Smoking-Ad

    Source

       
               Smoking is an addictive habit that for some people that isn't easy to break. Unfortunately for them, with smoking comes several consequences, one of them being lung cancer. Smoking should not be done, there are people everyday who suffer from lung cancer or gum disease because they didn't and don't want to quit smoking. Some of those people even being parents, or roll models for their children. Others being teachers you would never expect smoked. The purpose of this picture is to keep smokers aware that if they want lung cancer, then they should keep smoking. Who wants lung cancer? Exactly. This ad is ironic because literally, it's saying to keep smoking to get more information on lung cancer. But really, all it is portraying is a warning to smokers, that if they do not stop, lung cancer could be a consequence. Also sarcasm, which is a form of irony, could be perceived from this visual because it could be taken a little more harsh, but then again, that is what it is supposed to do. It is supposed to come across to smokers that they will get lung cancer if they do not quit. The Lung Association of British Colombia, the owner of this picture, clearly knows the impacts of lung cancer and the causes. Afterall, they are The Lung Association. By reaching out to smokers, I believe this visual achieves it's purpose because it lets smokers know that they're risk of lung cancer is very high. Everyday smokers need to be reminded the effects of smoking, their well being is at risk, and the consequences could be severe. This ad also could get to the heart of those dealing with a smoker, someone who wants their loved one to quit terribly, because they know what the outcomes could be.

Tow #3: IRB: A Memoir of Hope Solo with Ann Killion: Chapter 1: pgs. 8-20

        Many of us know Hope Solo as one of the best goal keepers in the world. She's an inspiration to any athlete, anywhere. But what many people don't know is her tough past, the past that molded her into the woman she is today. A Memoir of Hope, written by Hope Solo with the help of Ann Killion, reveals the other life Hope Solo once lived, along with her achievements, failures, both inside and out of the soccer world. Chapter one of the book is an introduction to Hope and her family and some of the hardships they were put through because of her father. It begins with a description of her first house with the smiley face fence, followed by the aspects of her family, half family, and most importantly her father. Hope Solo appealed to the audience's emotions by using anecdotes to achieve her purpose of describing her family, and that her dad is a difficult man who created many difficulties in her tough past.
A Memoir of Hope is a book meant for anyone, especially young athletes, who can immediately be inspired from Hope's story as a girl and as a soccer player. They can learn about Hope's past she went through, and even through all of the turmoil, she worked hard and achieved her dream. This chapter specifically, can reach out to readers who may also have had some rough patches within their family life. Hope splits up the memoir and the chapter with specific story to emphasize her puprose and point she is trying to achieve. For starters, the day her family found out Gerry Solo wasn't even the real name of her dad. He had also been stealing money from her grandparents and other places while also tearing apart Hope's family by having affairs other women. The reader cannot help but feel sorry for Hope, for she was only a confused 7 year old who wanted to spend time with her Dad, but was being tossed around in the wrath of lies he had created to keep their relationship on top. She was filled with anger, forced to spend time with a family she  didn't want to because her irresponsible father would only get himself into more trouble. For instance, a story she shared, when her and her brother, Marcus, were kidnapped by her father for several days. Eventually, her father had been caught and she had been picked up and put back into reality. Well, her family's reality. "I was mad at my mother for taking us home. Mad at my father for lying to us. Mad at myself for doing something wrong. I was mad at the world." (Solo, 20) That was a young girl, already angry at the world. I as a reader, believe Hope acheived her purpose. Through the stories she already was able to tell throughout chapter 1, the hardships her family faced were mainly caused by her father, and the rest of her family's mess was the reject to everything he had done. Secretly not paying mortgages, creating several identities, and kidnapping own children.

TOW #2: Is Coffee Bad for You? Actually, Drinking Coffee May Be Good for You: January W. Payne

Is Coffee Bad for You? Actually, Drinking Coffee May Be Good For You
By: January W. Payne



         Addressing both the benefits and side effects of drinking coffee, this article written by January W. Payne explains that for some people, a moderate amount of coffee a day isn't so bad for you. Under the circumstances though, decaffinated may be the better decision. Approaching those who enjoy including a up or two of coffee in their daily routine, Payne was able to achieve her purpose that it is okay to drink coffee if it's a moderate amount of caffeine. But if someone is consuming a ridiculous amout, it could lead to insomnia, nausea, muscle tremors, or even an irregular/fast heartbeat. Also, a person with diabetes should probably switch to decaffeinated. On the plus side, coffee consumption can also prevent skin cancer and decrease the risks of strokes. Proved by research, coffee drinking may also offer a protective effect against Alzheimer's. Paranoid coffee drinkers, for whom this article is meant for, can now either relax a little bit about their daily habbit, or have to face a new challenge of breaking it.
January W. Payne is a writer for US.NEWS. and has already published several different articles. Proving that she is credible through her valid points, she appeals to both logos and ethos. (ethos because she proves that as an author/speaker, she is both credible and trustworthy.) She appeals to logos because behind her reasoning, she has facts. Each argument she proposes is backed up with research. For example, she mentions a review from Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism relating to diabetes and also a review published in Neurological Research about the protective effects coffee may have against Alzheimer's disease.  By appealing to logos, Payne is able to achieve her purpose offering clear and rational ideas. As a daughter of a coffee drinker and just as a regular reader, I believe that Payne acheived her purpose. She reaches out to coffee drinkers and displays that coffee drinking can be beneficial but also have side effects. 

TOW: New Research Reveals That If You Really Want That PR, You Have to Train Your Brain - Hard ---- By: Alex Hutchinson

This article, out of Runner's World Magazine, is about mental fatigue. Alex Hutchinson, the author, a runner himself, has gone through a series of exercises and training techniques to help prevent his brain from becoming so easily fatigued while running. "There's been a revolution in running science the last few years." (pg 72) Many people usually focus on the fatigue of muscles, heart, legs, etc., but this article focuses on the mental aspect of running. Studies show that "mental fatigue can negatively affect physical performance" (pg 73). The author, Alex, not only has gone through the tests himself, as explained in the article. As an original 1500 runner, Alex experiences mental fatigue in longer races such as the 5,000. He could not sustain the focus needed to keep a steady pace for that distance, therefore effecting is overall performance. He always knew he had more in him during the races too because at the end his finishes included too much energy he could have used during the race instead. Alex worked with one of the researchesrs mentioned, Samuele Marcora, who worked with him through exercises to challenge and work the brain to help resist fatigue. The article goes from explaining the effects of mental fatigue, to a problem-solving solution. Alex was trying to prepare for a marathon, so working with an expert on how to fix his mentality while running long distances was a must for a 26.2 mile race.  Although his muscles gave out by the end of his marathon, he ran more smoothly and consistantly through the middle miles than he had ever done before. His purpose, is to inform other runners that workouts and races don't always just involve the body. A lot of it has to do with the brain. Being a runner myself, I believe Hutchinson achieved his purpose. I learned alot about the way the mind works, and also can now take it into consideration that when I want to give up during a workout to keep going, because a lot of it is all in my brain. Alex Hutchinson was able to appeal to his audience mainly through pathos. By including himself and his personal expereinces within the article to reach a purpose, the idea was easily understood. Runners can connect to his personal experiences because most runners experience the same things. Even as Alex was explaining his muscle fatigue during his last miles of his marathon, I felt his pain. I could embrace the feeling of soreness by the end of the race, and how you just wish your legs could feel fresh. This article could be seen as a confidence booster, advice giver, and just a story to all runners out there in the world.

IRB Intro Post - Marking Period 1

       This marking period, (mp 1) I will be reading "A Memoir of Hope Solo" written by Hope Solo with Ann Killion. This book is simply about the life of USA's Woman's National Soccer Team's goalie, Hope Solo, and her battles throughout her journey of becoming one of the world's best goal tenders. I selected this memoir because I've always been a fan of Hope, and I can connect to the soccer portion of the book since I am a player myself. I hope to gain some new background I don't know about Hope Solo, and also a sense of inspiration. From what I've heard, this book is great, and Hope Solo truley is an inspiring person and athlete. I look forward to being inspired as a reader, athlete, and girl.

Killing My Body to Save My Mind by Lauren Slater

          Killing My Body To Save My Mind is about a person, a woman; a mom who wants to live a happy, depression free life. Zyprexa, the most extreme anti depression drug works wonders. But of course every drug has side effects, zyprexa leading to weight gain. In Killing My Body To Save My Mind, the woman (narrator) is in a battle with her mind and her body. After deciding to take the drug zyprexa, her whole life has changed. She's happy now, but in the meantime, her weight gain has turned into a life threatening problem. Almost diabetic and shortening her life span, she still decides to take zyprexa. After all, she'd rather be "a happy elephant than a miserable hominid."(257) The depression was extreme, creating a darkness over her mind. She heard cries from children she could not find, and her beautiful garden would turn into an ugly, depressed sight. She was so desperate to seek happiness again that zyprexa seemed to her just as a cure, not a drug that could bring her into the dangers of obesity. She had tried several other drugs prescribed by her doctor, none doing the trick. Zyprexa seemed to be the only answer left. Once on the drug, although constantly wanting food, she was happy. She felt as though a burden was lifted from her soul. 50 pounds later she realized the damage she was doing to her body while trying to save her mind. Dieting and exercising could not even help the weight gain. She felt as though it was worth it...she could enjoy her families company, laugh at the little things, and just see life differently.

          Lauren Slater is both an author and a psychologist. She's an author of seven books and this article coming from the magazine Elle. Lauren Slater's purpose in writing Killing My Body to Save My Mind is to describe the affects of zyprexa but to also show readers that for people in depression, gaining weight means nothing compared to being happy again. Even if the body is being destroyed, the mind is being saved. I believe, as a reader, that Lauren Slater did achieve her purpose in writing this essay. Although I may not understand the narrators choices exactly, I think to others in depression and suffering from the same experiences may have a better comprehension of why the narrator chose the path she chose. Targeted towards the certain audience of others who have gone through derpession, I think Lauren Slater reached her goal of saving the mind and that you are in control of your life. You have the ability to make the choices to either help yourself, hurt yourself, or even both in this case. 

          Antanagoge is a rhetoric device used in "Killing My Body to Save My Mind". Lauren Slater/the the narrator of the book, sees zyprexa as both a positive and negative thing. Although zyprexa causes you to gain weight, it also causes you to see life as a happy beautiful thing. Or although zyprexa relieves your depression, it can change your life into a large health problem. It goes along with even though she is destroying her body, she is saving her mind. Hence "Killing My Body to Save My Mind".

                                                                 "Saving my Mind"
                                          Struggling through the ups and downs of depression.

Source

The Bitch is Back
Sandra Tsing Loh

The Bitch is Back is an essay about women and their mid life phase of menopause. It describes a womans feelings and emotions she experiences during menopause. The unbalance of her hormones at this time in her life also messes with her moods and tolerance of those around her. The essay provides examples of women in their menopausal stage including the author herself and her own personal experiences. Reaching out to the audience of other women who may be approaching or experiencing their own mid life menopausal stage, this essay describes what women go through while also providing books to help, or something along those lines. Also, as a female who isn't apporaching menopause anytime soon, I was able to embrace the intense emotions women do feel through this process in life. To those readers my age or others who may know a women in their mid 40s-60s, they can try and connect the behavior of the woman they know to the behavior described in the essay.
Sandra Tsing Loh has written several books and is a regular tributor to The Atlantic, which is where The Bitch is Back is from. The purpose of writing The Bitch is Back is to explain to readers the stage of menopause and what it could be like to go through it. It also explains the reasoning for some womens strange behavior, such as unbalanced hormones, or fertility. I definitely think that Sandra Tsing Loh reached her purpose, but in a really intense way. Although I can't be for sure if she may be exaggerating at some points because I have not yet experienced menopause.
There were both some metaphors and similies used throughout the essay to emphasize menopause and also describing certain books that are about menopause. "Dry as it may seem, though, one menopause book does rise like Mount Etna above the rest."(221) Sandra Tsing Loh is describing The Wisdom of Monopause, a 656 page all about menopause. Or how about describing "the Hour of the Wolf" aka around 4:00 pm when all women seem to hit a slump in the day. "how many of our inner wolves appear at afternoon carpool time" (221) Hence the inner wolf, Loh is comparing a wild animal to how a menopausal women feels during this hour.

Source                                                          "Menopause"
                                                                   Midlife problems.

Outlaw
Jose Antonio Vargas
From The New York Times Magazine

Outlaw is about a man who moved to America, but was an illegal immigrant from the Phillpines. He didn't even know himself until one day when he went for his driving permit and his green US residency  card ended up being fake. From that day on, he lived his life through high school, work, college, hiding under an identity that could get him into some serious trouble. Meanwhile, he tries to be as involved as he can with everything, a hard worker through out high school, earning better positions with his job. He felt has though if he worked hard enough he could really earn his citizenship as an American. He built a career as a journalist and along the way told some people his secret. Living in guilt and paranoia, he decided to tell the truth and review his options with a legal council after telling his story.
Jose Antonio Vargas is a journalisnt, filmmaker and obviously an immigration activist. After his article "outlaw",  there was a halt to the deportation of undocumented immigrants under age 30 eligible for the DREAM Act; although he did not qualify due to his age. The purpose of this essay was to reach out to help children in similar situations and to help them with their path to citizenship. Also, readers that are not dealing with the same problem, are opened to the world of immigration, and how many people have dealt with the problem of illegal citizenship. As a reader myself, I do think that Vargas acheived his purpose. Even from just his story, I was informed a great amount about immigration. 
A rhetorical device, audience, was used in this essay because the author was writing the essay to reach out to an audience by telling the truth. Reaching out to make Americans more aware, or reaching out to other immigrants who have dealt with the same thing was a big purpose of the essay in the first place. As well as audience, Vargas used pathos throughout the essay to emotionally draw in readers. Readers can feel is paranoia and guilt as reading through the essay and it helps him acheive his purpose even further. 

Source

"Immigration Protests"

Immigration activist, or someone who just wants to live free?

You Owe Me by Miah Arnold

You Owe Me is about a teacher who teaches in a hospital. She teaches a writing class filled with children from all ages who are either fighting cancer, or suffering from cancer. She isn't just there to teach though, she really tries to connect with the kids and make every minute worth it. Everytime a child she has grown close to, or too close to, arrives near their death, she feels as though she will leave after their death. It will be the end to her teaching career at the hospital, for she cannot bare to teach a day further without that certain child. It's been a few years now, and she hasn't left. She feels as though she must stay for the other children, as hard as it can be, she needs to be there for them. For instance, Michael, a nine year old boy coming to his wits end, would just simply sit on the teachers lap everyday. He felt secure there, he needed the warmth of her arms around him as she read him poetry. He needed faith.
Miah Arnold is an author of several short pieces of literature. "Her work has appeared in Michigan Quarterly Review, Nanofiction, Confrontation, Painted Bride Quarterly, and the South Dakota Review. She has received a Barthelme Award, an Inprint/Diana P. Hobby Award, and an Established Artists Grant from the Houston Arts Alliance for her work." (miaharnold.com) You Owe Me was published in the Michigan Quaterly Review reaching out to the audience of children, parents, teachers, or pretty much anyone else. Teachers can recieve a new apprectation for what they do everyday, whether it's for teaching sick children, or teaching healthy ones. Kids who read this essay can appreciate their well being, and be thankful or maybe kids with an illness can connect to this. Also a person who may be connected to sick people or children such as Miah can connect to her feelings throughout the essay. Leading to the purpose of You Owe Me, I believe Miah Arnold acheived her purpose of the essay of really transfering her feelings into words and giving the reader a full affect in just 13 pages. It had me basically in tears, and I didn't really even have a special connection from previous personal experiences to connect to the essay. (Thank God, knock on wood!) It gave me a new appreciation for teachers who do teach children or people like this and that it is actually a really diffcult place to be in when you put your heart into it.
For rhetorical devices, I was able to point out a few metaphors right away as I was reading. It gave me an even better grasp of some of the characteristics described throughout the essay. "I am a Dixie cup, and these children's lives and needs are the hundreds of oceans, and by some increible grace I have been able to contain them." (37) It gives the essay a different view on how to see it, as well as "his bones, in my mind, were dried-out honeycombs." (40) I as a reader, as able to fully understand certain details as they were compared to real life or different situations.

"The Best Laughter"

Making their lifetime as amazing as they deserve.

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How Doctors Die by Ken Murray

How Doctors Die is about how most doctors prefer to die, or at least that is the author's opinion. Every single day doctors are saving lives, helping in saving lives, or in the process of making sure their patient has a little longer to live. They've seen it all, their patients go through medicines, treatments, khemo therapy, nights in and out of the hospital, and plenty more. Doctors experience the treatment and illness through their patients, and only turn their heads if it ever became their turn. "I cannot count the number of times fellow physicins have told me, inwords that vary only slightly, 'Promise me if you find me like this that you'll kill me.'" (232) Although patients are getting treated daily, the process they go through comes off as miserable to most doctors. Patients getting cut open, tubes getting shoved into their bodies, assaulted with drugs. Not only to mention that this intensive care unit could cost thousands of dollars a day. Doctors feel as though they want to die happily, not alone, and not in pain. They believe that little treatment and spending your final times with quality instead of quanity is the better way to go. "Death with dignity."(235)
Ken Murray, the author of this essay, was a family medical doctor who had a private practice of general medicine for 25 years. This essay, actually, has brought him most of the attention he has recieved and currently writes for an online magazine of ideas: Zocalo Public Square. The purpose of him writing this essay, is to give the audience of those who may be connected to a doctor specifically, or possibly a former patient in a hospital, the idea that doctors feel about their way of dying. The audience can get a better understanding of possibly why a doctor may choose to die the way he dies, for it could have been a relative or a friend who was a doctor and chose the same path. The essay gives several examples and points of evidence as to why doctors choose a death with dignity and a death with quality, rather than quantity. I believe that Ken Murray achieved his purpose. Even in just 4 pages, I was able to grasp the feeling of the doctors who treat patients everyday, and why they may choose less treatment for themselves if they were ever to become ill. Ken Murray, also being a doctor for 25 years can understand as the author and the narrator so the essay can really connect to an actual doctor's feelings.
The rhetorical device enumeratio, is used to help Ken Murray's examples throughout the essay. For example, Torch, his older cousin, decided to recieve less treatment for his cancer and enjoy his last few months and having fun. Ken Murray was using this example to prove the better quality in Torch's last few days, meaning company, adventures, food, and money. Enumeratio makes a point with details. The author makes the point of quality and includes the details of Torch gaining weight because he isn't just eating hospital food, and going to Disneyland because he can. Torch ended up dying in his sleep, painless...the cost of his medical care for the 8 months he lived was around $20. Khemo therapy wasn't promising him anything over 4 months of survival, that costing several thousands of dollars. Ken Murray was able to reach the point with his example which was also supported by several other examples.

Source

"No Code" 

Do not try and save a doctor from his death, do not resuscitate. They want to die with as much happiness as possible. Not to die alone or in pain; but to die with dignity.