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.