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?