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.