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.