TOW #30: Letter to New APELC Student

Dear incoming AP English student,

         First, I'm going to be honest. Those who have told you that AP English is hard, they weren't exaggerating. However, I am aware that you have most likely heard that AP English is absolutely impossible, which is most definitely an overstatement. You are capable of working your way through the course and managing the work. AP English is a college level course that is going to prepare you for the AP exam and your future years ahead, whether it's in college, for your career, or even helping your child when it's their turn to write a paper. There will be some days and nights that lie ahead when you wish you never would've taken the course, but I'm telling you, every second, every minute, every hour; it's all worth it.
       If you're reading this and have decided to take AP English, I'm sure you are a very diligent, hard-working student who is striving for success. Whatever you do, don't change. This college level course requires the mind set of a student like you. Even if your best ability only earns you a B, that is still incredible. You must keep in mind throughout the year and the tough grades that you will receive, that this course is meant for college students. You are a junior in high school! In the beginning, try not to beat yourself up about a poor grade that you get. I know you're not used to it, trust me, neither was I. I spent several hours on my summer assignment paper, and received a 3 out of 8 on the AP scale. I wasn't used to getting such low grades on my writing, and I couldn't think of anything I did wrong. Looking back on that, I realize how much I've improved as a student and a writer, thanks to AP English. Throughout the course of the year, you will write an overwhelming amount of essays and read a ridiculous amount writings that you barely understand. What's the point of all this? To prepare you for the AP exam in June. In my opinion, Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko do an absolute fantastic job in preparing me for the exam. In fact, the exam actually seemed less difficult in contrast to all the work I did throughout the year.
      As I stated before, you will write A LOT in this class. In prior years, I'm sure you have gotten away with waiting until last minute to write a paper for English or Social Studies class. You probably even did pretty well on it too. Please, take my advice, and don't procrastinate in this class. Specifically for take home essays, make sure you conference with Mr. Yost or Ms. Pronko to go over each draft you write. You have absolutely nothing to lose in conferencing with them, except maybe another poor grade. Mr. Yost & Ms. Pronko are here to help you prepare for the exam in June. The two of them want the best for you and are willing to help you in whatever way possible. Don't be afraid to ask questions, ask for edits on your papers, or conference with them after you received a low grade. It can only help you. After I conferenced with Mr. Yost or had Ms. Pronko edit my paper, it improved my writing a great amount. Throughout the year, I was consistently scoring 4's and 5's on my essays, which aren't great scores. Finally, I began scoring 6's, which isn't even an A. But I was improving and that is what mattered. I actually regret not conferencing more with either of them, so I suggest you take advantage of any free time you have whether it's study hall, lunch, before school or after school. Conferencing with them is a large advantage they give you so you shouldn't let it go to waste!
       To wrap things up, try and have fun with this class. Some of the reading you do is actually fairly interesting, and if you keep yourself engaged the class isn't so bad. Junior year is the year to prove to yourself that you are the student you've always been and the student you've always wanted to be. Always keep in mind that this course isn't necessarily easy for anyone, and it's an accomplishment alone that you're deciding to dedicate your time in improving your knowledge and capabilities through the course. If you have absolutely any questions about anything dealing with the course or junior year, do not hesitate to ask me, or any senior! It's going to be really tough sometimes, but keep pushing. The year goes by incredibly fast and before you know it, you'll be me, writing a letter for the next years students, explaining to them that AP English isn't the worst thing in the world like everyone has told them. Good luck with everything, future APELC student, and remember to always try your best and work hard. Every single second of work and studying will be worth it in the end.

Sincerely,
Anna Chiodo Ortiz

TOW #29: Documentary

Recently I watched the documentary Usain Bolt: The Fastest Man Alive, which is about the fastest sprinter in the world. Usain Bolt has won several world championship and olympic titles and is planning to continue his legacy. Bolt has made history, and holds the World Records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m. In the documentary, the director focuses on Bolt's journey with his family, training, and competing leading up until the 2012 London Olympic Games. Throughout the documentary, many claims are made, but the biggest one is obviously that Usain Bolt is and remains to be the fastest man alive. I, as a huge fan of Bolt, agree with this statement. If one were to look at all of Bolt's successes, the evidence is there. Beginning from his teenage years, he won the Junior World Championships in the 200m and set a new record! From 2002-2012, Bolt has set records and won gold medals. More specifically, according to usainbolt.com, in 2002, Usain set the world junior record in the 200m while also snatching the gold medal. After a harsh hamstring injury in 2006, Bolt finally bounced back in 2008 Olympic Games winning the 100m and 200m dashes and the 4x100m relay. With the fire lit, Bolt went on to set two new world records (the old ones being his own) in 2009 in the 100 and 200m dash. Finally, in London of 2012, he won gold for the second olympics in a row in the 100, 200, and 4x100, setting a new world record with his relay team. It's very clear that Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world, although some argue that he may not be. Perhaps a man who has never thought to run track is faster than Bolt, but that is very difficult to determine and therefore makes Usain Bolt the fastest man alive. Maybe one day he won't be, but as long as he's alive and those records stand, Bolt will continue to be the great legacy of the fastest man in the world.

TOW #28: Documentary

Usain Bolt: The Fastest Man Alive


Usain Bolt, arguably one of the best athletes of all time, grew up in Jamaica, where he still lives and trains intensely pursuing his career as a world class sprinter. Usain Bolt stood out from the start, his lean, towering 6'5 body was unusual for a sprinter. He showed his strength and potential during the 2002 World Junior Championships and won the 200m dash setting a new junior world record. As his fame began to increase, he moved to Kingston, Jamaica, away from his family to get the ultimate training from Jamaican Olympic Coach, Glen Mills. As time and training went on, Usain Bolt became the fastest man in the world. This documentary films Usain Bolt's journey up until the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Beijing, China, is where Usain Bolt began his Olympic gold medal streak. He won the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, and continued to win most of those events throughout world class events and continuing on into the 2012 Olympic Games. However, the World Championships in 2011 was a little different. Usain Bolt false started in the 100m, immediately disqualifying him  from the race and any contention in medaling. His teammate and biggest rival, Yohan Blake, went on to become the 100m World Champion that year. Frustrated, Bolt came back to win the 200m dash and set the world record with his 4x100m relay team. Usain Bolt will forever go down in history as one of the greatest athletes that have ever lived, and his career isn't even over.

Usain Bolt: The Fastest Man Alive was created to show and describe the intense journey of the fastest sprinter alive. The documentary uses many different strategies to add effect, including the cinematography and sound of the film. Starting with the cinematography, the camera placement throughout the documentary adds emphasis on the more important points making them more interesting. For instance, while Bolt was training, the camera angle up close on his face and body watching his every breath was very effecting because it showed the audience how hard Bolt's training is and how hard he really works. Every part of cinematography plays a role in this documentary, the different lighting during one of Bolt's races adds intensity and the brighter colors change the tone as well. Overall, cinematography helps show and describe Usain Bolt's journey of being the fastest man alive.

In addition to cinematography, the movie's sound plays a key role in the effect of the film. Throughout the documentary, the sound is changing with volume and music. The music that plays throughout the film matches each scene accurately adding an exciting effect in order to keep the audience engaged. The sound, specifically, adds the most effect. For example, while showing Bolt's 100m dash, the entire film goes silent, until he crosses the finish line and the crowd roars as Bolt wins. It adds a really awesome and emphasized intensity to the race and documentary, and helps the audience really feel the emotions and atmosphere of that moment.

In a documentary, or any type of film, the elements, devices, and strategies are very important for delivering a purpose and keeping the audience engaged. Usain Bolt: The Fastest Man Alive successfully uses many, including sound and cinematography. Both devices and strategies helped show and describe Bolt's intense journey leading up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

TOW #27: TOW Reflection

         Looking back on my very first TOW response reminds me how much my writing has improved over the course of the year. I thoroughly recall not even knowing what a rhetorical device was when I was composing my first TOW. My analysis consisted of a quote and a few words trying to define the significance of my evidence. As I have re read a lot of my TOWS, I realize my progress lies in my analysis of each TOW and devices I chose to use. In the beginning, I really struggled with finding the author's purpose of a certain essay or writing piece. As the year went on though, I challenged myself with harder readings and began to improve my adequateness. My TOWS became more sophisticated throughout the year and I began to sound like a student trying to master the rigorous AP English course and its criteria. I mastered analyzing difficult texts and finding their real meaning. In the beginning of the year, I would stare at an essay or excerpt for hours and not be able to analyze it. Now I am more confident and have more patience to define key words and terms and find the author's purpose. Of course, just because I have improved and mastered certain things doesn't mean there aren't others I still need to improve. Although I have been more adequate, it still isn't 100%. I think the analysis essays will always be my weakness because even though finding the purpose has gotten easier, it's still hard. In addition, I would like to continue to improve my vocabulary. Every AP English test I've gotten there is at least 3 words I am unfamiliar with, and I believe that it would really help me with finding answers and analyzing texts if my vocabulary was varied. Overall, TOWS helped me practice analyzing different forms of literary elements; books, essays, poems, pictures, videos, etc. I personally think that if an essay were assigned to us for each TOW it would be different. Part of my problems with TOWS was finding the write piece of writing to analyze. Also, if the class had the same TOW I could help get more feedback from classmates because they're familiar with the same texts. I like being able to analyze commercials and pictures so I think a few "free choice TOWS" is still good, but it would've helped to have certain essays assigned to us to analyze. I guess overall I did benefit from TOWS because without them I wouldn't have the weeks of practice under my belt before the AP exam. 

TOW #5: iPhone or Android: Which Smartphone Should You Buy?

iPhone or Android: Which Smartphone Should You Buy?
By: Sam Costello


            The controversy between the iPhone and the Android is a popular one in today's society. Each phone has their strengths and their weaknesses, so audience members ask, which phone is truly the better phone to purchase? Sam Costello, author of iPhone or Android: Which Smartphone Should You Buy? develops 13 different arguments involving an Android and iPhone, but supports each one with different evidence and a different standpoint for each phone. Majority of his arguments for why the iPhone is the better phone, but he does develop a perspective for androids as well. For instance, argument one is considering the phone's hardware. Costello goes into detail how Apple has tight control over software managing of an iPhone, while Androids tend to freeze up and overheat more often. On the other hand, argument number twelve, "User Maintenance: Storage and Battery", supports the Android. Many of his arguments also develop a tie between the two phones, making it complicated for the audience to develop a really strong choice on which phone to choose. Costello's choice in listing arguments for each phone I believe is ineffective, because there is no solidified answer Costello delivers to his audience on which phone to buy.

           Although including arguments for each phone gives the audience a larger perspective on the matter, it doesn't help an argument. On the other hand, some people do prefer to make decisions on their own after the negatives and positives are given and Costello's open argument helps some readers base their choice on their own opinion rather than just Costello's.  I believe as a reader, Costello effectively delivers strengths and weaknesses of each phone helping a reader decide which phone would be best suited for them.

 It's important to take note that when an essay is written about an argument such as this one, it's crucial that one takes into consideration other sources and opinions from other people. Both phones can be argued as great, and both phones can be argued as bad. Sam Costello's opinion is just one of many, and by delivering both perspectives, it's important a reader looks into other sources as well to confirm his decision.          

TOW #24: Rosie the Riveter

          The famous Rosie the Riveter picture, is a cultural icon of the United States. It was made to represent the American women who worked in factories during World War II. During World War II, many women took upon new jobs in order to replace the men serving in the military. Rosie the Riveter represents a women's power and strength, and promotes feminism. During World War II, campaigns used Rosie to convince and recruit females for working in munition and industry. According to history.com,  it stressed the patriotic need for women to enter the work force. Rhetorically, the picture is makes a powerful statement to the audience whether it's women during World War II, or women living in today's society. The arrangement of the picture helps portray the message. The big words "We Can Do It!" draw the audiences attention and also promotes a feeling of hope and encouragement. Rosie is dressed in patriotic colors, therefore defending the fact that the picture was made to stress the "patriotic need" for women to work in factories and industry during the war. Not only is Rosie wearing read white and blue, but she is also holding up her arm to show her muscle. That is very important in the way this picture is arranged, for it exemplifies a women's strength and appeals to other women's emotions giving them pride and determination. The War World II time period was a large step in feminism due to new employment opportunities that weren't originally available to women prior to the war. As well as the arrangement, there is a demanding yet tone of determination that the picture portrays. It's demanding because it is trying to recruit women into the work force, yet determining because its saying "We Can Do It!" and the muscle shows that women are strong and enough and powerful enough. Rosie the Riveter has been an influential icon throughout the years strongly portrays feminism and the growth of women's rights.

Marking Period 4: IRB Intro Post

The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch

        The Last Lecture is about  a man named Randy Pausch, who was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He had a family at home, specifically a wife and three children. Randy was unfortunately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has a very low survival rate. Throughout the book he wanted to give a "last lecture" to his audience because it may very well be, his last lecture. The book is broken up into 6 different sections, some telling about his dreams as a child and, some how he met his wife, and others telling about his lessons he has learned throughout his life and dealing with cancer. My brother recently read this book, and I also saw a talk he hosted. Reading this book will inspire me to live my life to the fullest, for there may not always be tomorrow. I'm excited to read Randy Pausch's last lecture and I'm excited for the inspiration it's going to give me.

TOW #23: IRB

The Diary of Anne Frank begins on her 13th birthday, beginning with a normal teenage life. Descriptions of boys and crushes, her girl friends, and her school, which happened to be an all Jewish school due to anti-Semitic laws. Anne had an older sister Margot as well. The Frank family had moved to the Netherlands in result of World War II beginning in Germany. But, unfortunately, Germany invaded the Netherlands forcing the Frank family into hiding. Anne's diary helps historians and other philosophers to understand the harsh living the Frank's had to experience. Beginning her diary, Anne writes about her 13th birthday party describing her loving classmates, friends, and family. She continues to describe a boy named Hello, who she believes she loved. Throughout the beginning of the book, Anne uses vivid imagery and first person to achieve her purpose of delivering the real harshness of life in that time. Her details of each event help a reader develop an emotional appeal to what Anne and her family had to go through. Because Anne uses first person, it also appeals to the reader. It feels as though they are experiencing everything themselves, as if they wrote the diary. The audience could be historians, philosophers, or any teenage reader who is curious about The Diary of Anne Frank and the context it entails. I easily flipped through the first part of the book because of the details provided by Anne Frank. The most intense part so far, was when Margot, Anne's older sister, informed Anne what was happening when Germany was invading the Netherlands. The girls started packing thingsup and knew that their lives were going to change. After being put in hiding, it even took Anne a little time to take in what had happened and how she would be living her life for who knows how long. Anne Frank succeeds in appealing to the reader's emotions, once again with first person. So, as a reader, I believed Anne has achieved her purpose of providing a detailed description of her life during World War II and what it was like to be in hiding, and what it was like to be Jewish during this time as well.

TOW #22: Article

"Why does lactic acid build up in muscles? And why does it cause soreness?"
By: Steven M. Roth

     Every athlete knows the feeling of lactic build up in their legs, it isn't the most enjoyable thing. As a runner and soccer player myself, I always wonder why I feel lactic acid in my legs and what I can do to maybe prevent it. This article, "Why does lactic acid build up in muscles? And why does it cause soreness?" is mainly about what lactic acid actually is, and why it may happen. Author Steven M. Roth states that when oxygen is limited to the body, in converts substances into lactate, causing the burning sensation and numbness lactic acid causes. It also includes glucose breakdown, but the article also states that the building of lactate is actually the body's protection from permanent damage during extreme exertion of the muscles. In terms of devices used by Steven M. Roth, the article is introduced with a description of himself, "a professor in the department of kinesiology at the University of Maryland, explains." By establishing who he is to the audience, he appeals to ethos and convinces the audience that he is a credible source for the topic. Leading into the article itself, Steven M. Roth includes facts throughout the whole piece of writing to explain what lactate is and how it effects the human body. By using facts, he also establishes logos because his reasons can be backed up with accurate data. The audience can be any athlete, or someone who has experienced lactic acid through exercise. This article explains in detail what lactic build up is. As part of the audience myself, I thought Steven M. Roth was effective. I believe as part of the audience, Steven M. Roth proves his purpose with facts that appeal to both ethos and logos. Also, since the article is from scientificamerican.com, a reader can assume that this article is credible because the website is categorized as a website with research and accurate facts.

TOW #21: Advertisement

        For years now, the competition between PC and Mac has existed and continues to, leading to advertisements like the one above. This advertisement was a PC ad, and it features a Macbook calling a PC a "nerd" and the PC calling a mac a "pretty boy". With personification and diction, PC argues that Macbook contains only attractiveness, rather than value.
         The words nerd and pretty boy, are simple words that can be understood by all audiences, which is effective in the case that PC wants to convince its audience of which computer is better. Clearly stated, the PC is calling the Mac a pretty boy because PC believes that the only thing a mac has is looks and an appeal to the human eye. On the other hand, the Macbook is calling the PC a nerd because although it may be smarter, the laptop is less attractive. Through their word choice, PC is able to argue that they are the more effective computer because they contain the "smarter" applications.
        In addition to word choice, the ad obviously portrays personification. Computers can't talk to each other, but with the use of personification, the ad displays humor and effectively delivers the message that PC is the better computer. This appeals to the audience and makes the advertisement easier to comprehend and keeps the competition exciting.
        In conclusion, with the use of personification and diction, dell successfully delivers its argument and displays that it is the better computer, and that Mac is only successful with its attractiveness. It also makes the audience wonder if its true, does mac only value looks? Is PC really the better computer? Nowadays, mac is statistically the more popular computer, but with this ad, it rises pause throughout the audience whether or not they are making the best choice when they choose which computer they are using.

TOW #20: Article: Death at the Garden by Jonathan Coleman

Reading Goals:

- Define all unknown vocabulary words as I am reading

- Don't read only to find rhetorical devices (read for context as well)

Writing Goals:

- Thorough and flowing analysis for my examples

- Not to sound repetitive 

- Adequateness 

Death at the Garden 

By: Jonathan Coleman

      The sport of boxing has always been a hazardous one, leaving each opponent at their wits end as the final bell dings. With blood and sweat exuding down the boxers faces, no one in the roaring crowd would  have expected the outcome of the match between Emile Griffith and Benny Paret. Jon coleman, the author of several books, developed this essay from "What He stood For: The Many Worlds of Angus Cameron" and displayed the vividness and severity of the fight he had witnessed. To express a moment of death and a moment Coleman and his future mentor Angus shared, Coleman uses vivd imagery and a first person point-of-view.

      Angus Cameron was a legendary Knopf editor, who eventually became Jon Coleman's editor and publisher of his many books. Ironically, both men had witnessed the grusome fight between Emile Griffith and Benny Paret but neither of them would know it until 13 years later, when they actually met.   Anyhow, Coleman's use of imagery precisely portrays the significant moment these two people shared and the intensity of the Griffith vs. Paret fight. "The fight was a slugfest, and Paret nearly ended things in the sixth round. But after six more rounds, things ended for Paret as Griffith punched him senseless against the ropes, sending him into a coma into which he never emerged."(Coleman) Picturing the moment as Coleman describes it, any reader could grasp the severity and ferocity of the fight. After all, Paret ended up dying. "Some part of Benny Paret's death did reach out to all of us. I had not witnessed death before, and what I remember most clearly was the hushed silence in the arena as Paret was moved, ever so carefully, from the floor of the ring onto the stretcher, beginning procession down the aisle of the Garden where I was sitting and where, as it turned out, Angus was, too." (Coleman) With the use of adequate and sensible adjectives, Coleman describes the scene with great precision, helping the reader have a full understanding of what had happened. Also, in addition to expressing a moment of death, Coleman includes how Angus was there as well, experiencing and witnessing the same, unreal moment. 

      Connecting to Coleman's handling of vivid imagery, he also wrote the essay in a first person point-of-view. By using first person, Coleman appeals to the audience's emotions because they are able to read the essay as if they were the ones who wrote it, and as if they were the ones who experienced the Griffith vs. Paret fight. The expression of death and the connection Coleman and Angus shared from the fight can be fully understood through the use of first person. "And instead of talking to many boys back at boarding school about the fight, or to anybody, really, I kept quiet for quite some time, until Angus and I had the occasion -- and, for me at least, the need -- to speak of it years later." (Coleman) The audience can appeal to the way Coleman felt after witnessing the fight as he immediately connects it to his first official confrontation with Angus. 

       In conclusion, Jon Coleman uses vivd imagery and first person point-of-view to express a moment of death, and a moment he and his future mentor, editor, and publisher, would share. Any athlete or person could be the audience here, perhaps more specifically someone who can connect to the context, that is, boxing. This was a moment that Jon Coleman would carry with him forever, just like Angus Cameron did. 

      

TOW #19: IRB: Diary of Anne Frank: Part I

         The Diary of Anne Frank begins on her 13th birthday, beginning with a normal teenage life. Descriptions of boys and crushes, her girl friends, and her school, which happened to be an all Jewish school due to anti-Semitic laws. Anne had an older sister Margot as well. The Frank family had moved to the Netherlands in result of World War II beginning in Germany. But, unfortunately, Germany invaded the Netherlands forcing the Frank family into hiding. Anne's diary helps historians and other philosophers to understand the harsh living the Frank's had to experience. Beginning her diary, Anne writes about her 13th birthday party describing her loving classmates, friends, and family. She continues to describe a boy named Hello, who she believes she loved. Throughout the beginning of the book, Anne uses vivid imagery and first person to achieve her purpose of delivering the real harshness of life in that time. Her details of each event help a reader develop an emotional appeal to what Anne and her family had to go through. Because Anne uses first person, it also appeals to the reader. It feels as though they are experiencing everything themselves, as if they wrote the diary. The audience could be historians, philosophers, or any teenage reader who is curious about The Diary of Anne Frank and the context it entails. I easily flipped through the first part of the book because of the details provided by Anne Frank. The most intense part so far, was when Margot, Anne's older sister, informed Anne what was happening when Germany was invading the Netherlands. The girls started packing thingsup and knew that their lives were going to change. After being put in hiding, it even took Anne a little time to take in what had happened and how she would be living her life for who knows how long. Anne Frank succeeds in appealing to the reader's emotions, once again with first person. So, as a reader, I believed Anne has achieved her purpose of providing a detailed description of her life during World War II and what it was like to be in hiding, and what it was like to be Jewish during this time as well.

Tow #18: Article: Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men?

Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men?
By: Laura Blue
TIME


        The topic that women live longer than men was recently brought to my attention last week during health class. Statistics show that women have a higher life expectancy than men as further proven in this article from TIME. The article was written by Laura Blue, and was addressed to Tom Perls, who answered the question answered in the text: "Why do women live longer than men?" The biggest reason is that women encounter diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and heart problems and stroke significantly later than men, around ten years later. It is believed that this is result of women being iron-deficient compared to men because of the menstrual cycle. Other reasons include circumstances dealing with X and Y chromosomes as well as a "testosterone storm". Finally, it is believed that men smoke a lot more than women, eat more food that leads to high cholesterol, and have a harder time dealing with stress than most women do. So what? Well, stress plays a very important role in cardiovascular disease. Throughout this article, Laura Blue/Tom Perls provide facts, examples, and analysis to prove why women may live longer than men. By using accurate reasoning the argument is better developed and easily understood by the audience. The audience may be students, like me, who are curious as to why women live longer than men. Or, the audience could be women themselves, or men. Majority of the article quoting Tom Perls, and by Laura Blue's strong introduction, the audience knows Tom Perls is a reliable source, hence appealing to ethos. (he is the founder of the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University as well as the created of the website LivingTo100.com). The facts that are given prove the reasoning behind cardiovascular disease, and the difference in men and women with their chromosomes. As a curious student researching this topic, I believe that Laura Blue and Tom Perls achieved their purpose and established their argument with logical and strong evidence.

IRB Intro Post: Marking Period 3

This marking period, I will be reading The Diary of Anne Frank. It is a powerful reminder of the horrors that were experienced during war and The Holocaust. It was a time in hiding for Anne Frank and her family. They were cut off from the outside world, experiencing starvation, boredom, and other cruelties of living in confined head quarters. Anne Frank wrote vividly about her experiences and this book is a true classic. Many of my family members have recommended this book, and now I'm excited to finally read it! It will educate me more of some of the horrors during the time period, and teach me more about Anne Frank as well.

TOW #17: Visual: Nike 'Rise and Shine' Commercial

This commercial is one of my all time favorite videos. When I need a pep talk, or need to get pumped up for a game or race, this is what I come to to watch and get myself focussed and motivated. I'm all about exercising, being fit, and trying my best. I'm passionate about my sports and what I do. I have goals and I want to succeed. The music and voice throughout this video is so empowering it draws the audience in no matter what. Nike tries to convince the audience that anything is possible and that there is no final ability. Work hard everyday if you want results. "Destiny waits for no one". I was really able to connect to this video because I am an athlete and I care a lot about my sports and my accomplishments. The different video clips throughout the commercial fit together perfectly and go along great with the music and the voice speaking. The mans voice is very determined and straight forward. It works really well in motivating and inspiring the audience. The audience could be any athlete or anyone who has a goal and wants to achieve something. Also, the voice talks in second person. As if it is talking to you and you only. I think that is so powerful and is the most motivating part. The speech is so strong and carries over to when I am practicing. This video could be watched one hundred times in a row and never fail to motivate me. The positive attitude as well carries over a vibe to which every athlete likes to feel. A feeling of security, readiness, and invincibility. Nike is a very popular sporting company, so by advertising commercials such as this one it draws the audience in to like Nike even more. For instance, when wearing Nike, I feel great. Because the greatest athletes wear Nike, and the greatest athletes have the faith this video portrayed. Through the music, tone, and video clips, Nike was able to deliver its purpose that anything is possible. As an audience member, I believe that Nike did achieve their purpose. After all, I have watched this video quite a few times.

TOW #16: IRB

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 #15: 8 Kind Things You Should Tell Yourself Every Day

8 Kind things You Should Tell Yourself Every Day



Sometimes, especially being a teenager, maintaing self confidence can be difficult. People are constantly judging you, looking down upon you, and comparing you to others. Who needs the negativity though? Shouldn't the compliments other people give us be more important? This is why I found this article interesting. As a teenage girl, I know what it can be like to struggle with self confidence and sometimes some insane courage is all you need. This article, "8 Things You Should Tell Yourself Every Day" is sort of a list as well. Hence the "8 Things". Beginning the article, the author really draws in the audience's attention. The audience being basically anyone. By using first and second person, the author establishes an emotional appeal because the reader feels as though the author experiences the same feelings. Also, the tone throughout the article/list is very up lifting and positive; making the reader feel happy and inspired. The author uses the positive tone to achieve a sense of pride in the reader, and to deliver the purpose that you are important and one should not forget to be kind to him/herself. For example, "Today, recognize how capable and wonderful you are on the inside and the outside." Reading that, I, being a part of the audience, wants to keep reading and feel a sense of kindness. Although the list is brief, it gets the point across. "I am enough." "I am beautiful" all 8 things are positive, happy things people should tell themselves everyday. I believe as a reader, the author got the purpose across. By using a positive tone especially, as well as first and second person. Also, by using pictures, the author brings out even more emotions from the reader because the pictures are so sweet and fit the article perfectly. Something great about this article is that I can pass it on to people and hope to make their day a little better as well. Because I know for me, after reading this, I felt great.

TOW #14: Article: "The Pre-Race Meal"

"The Pre-Race Meal"

By: Matt Fitzgerald

Since I am a runner, and I race at least once every week beginning from December and until July, I always have to make sure my body is being fueled properly. Eating healthy is important especially to those who are active and athletic because without the proper nutrition, their ability to perform won't be as strong. "The Pre-Race Meal" is an article that describes and informs the audience the correct way to fuel the body before a race. It includes the importance of timing a pre-race meal, and what exactly that meal should be. Surprisingly, Fitzgerald recommends eating more carbohydrates prior to a race, rather than protein and especially fiber and fat. Following what the meal should contain and the timing, Fitzgerald includes five different foods a runner could consider eating on race day. I was able to connect a lot to this portion of the article because I usually eat a bagel and a banana on race days. As for the author's purpose, Fitzgerald uses facts to inform the reader on important eating habits before running races. Specifically, under the sub section "What To Eat", Fitzgerald includes facts about low-glycemic indexes, blood glucose levels, and other important variables a runner should consider when eating before their workout or race. Also, when the author listed all of the foods a runner could eat, he had facts to back up why they would be logical before a race. By providing facts for the reader, Fitzgerald is also establishing a sense of credibility because the facts prove his article is legitimate. The audience of "The Pre-Race Meal" are clearly runners, and runners who may be running a race or know someone who is competing as well. I think the author achieved his purpose because being a runner myself I learned a lot and am going to consider all of Fitzgerald's recommendations next time I have a track meet.