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. 

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?