TOW #23: O Captain! My Captain! (Walt Whitman)

O Captain! My Captain!, a poem written by Walt Whitman, stands today as one of the most famous poems in America. It was the death of Abraham Lincoln which inspired this poem to be written. In order to memorialize and celebrate Abraham Lincoln,  Walt Whitman uses extended metaphors and specific word choice throughout his poem. 

Abraham Lincoln was, and still is, an iconic figure in America. In the poem, the "captain" mentioned is actually a metaphor for the great figure of Abe Lincoln. Not only is he represented as a person that the country admired, but more specifically, as a person that he admires. This further enhances the purpose of the poem because it adds in the perspective of the poet. Another extended metaphor throughout his poem would be the "fearful trip" that Whitman refers to in his first line. This trip represents the Civil War. Whitman's style of writing seems to be to allude to certain historical events, people, and places. Another example of this would be the metaphor of the "ship", which represents America in the Civil War. All of these metaphors add to the essence of the poem in that it embellishes Whitman's style, while also proving the importance and commemorating the life of Abe Lincoln. 

Whitman's word choice also greatly contributed to the style and purpose of his piece. He uses the word "father" as a substitute for "captain", ultimately displaying his deep respect that he has for Lincoln, otherwise known as the father of the union. In contrast, Whitman also uses the words "grim" and "daring" along with phrases such as "cold and dead" to overcast the celebration of Lincoln, and memorialize the sorrow of his death. These words are a great appeal to pathos, as well as gives the poem multiple tones in order to both encapsulate his audience while also keeping Lincoln's death in mind. 

Whitman's poem is a great example of an effective poem, because not only is it short and sweet, but it also shows Whitman's respect and need to honor one man. In order to memorialize and honor Lincoln, Whitman uses specific word choice and extended metaphors. In this regard, he successfully gets his message across to his audience, and honors one of our greatest presidents. 

TOW #22: McDonalds Ad at Bus Stop

Advertisements. They draw us in as an audience, and make us into consumers. What's interesting about the McDonalds advertisement is its placement. I hadn't really thought about how important the placement of an ad is. For example, a fast food commercial would be completely ineffective on a television station that airs fitness programs. Some ads just don't fit. This McDonalds Ad certainly does. Through the use of strategic placement and clever color schemes, McDonalds succeeds in creating a good advertisement for their food franchise.

The Ad was located at a bus stop on the back window of the area that covers the bench where one would sit. Notably, the ad might assume that the people who take the bus as transportation might be coming home from work or school after a long day, and might definitely be hungry for a pre-dinner snack. The ad is so well placed because the company thought through the day of the consumer, and where one is most likely to go after work. The ad may also assume the people who take the bus might be low to middle class people, AKA, the people who might go to McD's more often than those of higher class. Although this is in no way true for every case, the Ad does cleverly address this idea, and because McDonald's is a very cheap and affordable fast food eatery, it would appeal to those respective  classes successfully. In this way, McDonalds succeeds in its mission for advertising.

McDonald's also placed a very consumer-friendly color scheme on its ad. Thee colors are very bright and outstanding, drawing the audience's eyes straight  to the display, making sure that no one can miss it. The ad is designed as if the person on the bench is actually sitting in the restaurant, making it that much more desirable. The menus are plastered on the top, creating a mouth-watering view, and the cashiers painted on the wall are all smiling, inviting their customer to come to their restaurant. Overall, the ad does a great job of appealing to almost any audience, and the colors and pictures make it that much better.

McDonalds must have a tough time placing their advertisements, because most know it for the fattening food and 3$ meals. This, though was a great idea. Through selective placement and clever color schemes, McDonalds was able to make its mark and succeed in its advertisement.

TOW #21: Zoos or no Zoos? (MIchelle Carr)

http://www.peta.org/living/entertainment/reality-zoos/

Michelle Carr, an extreme animal-lover, wrote an article about the horrors and misconceptions of zoos. After reading the article, I felt guilty about the times in which I visited the zoo with either a class or with my family. Carr utilizes the emotional appeal and the use of "you and "I" in order to inform her audience that zoos should not be legal, and that they are harmful to animals.

Throughout her article, Carr manages to tap into the emotions of the audience by explaining how the animals are treated and what conditions they are forced to live in while in zoo captivity. She specifically mentions how the animals must be extremely bored, because in some cases, they are only left with an old tire to play with. She also mentions how the animals can become ill or even go mentally unstable because of the small environment they have to live in. For example, a gorilla attempted to escape out of its walls and ended up being shot by the police. As Carr gives these examples, her audience will feel sympathy for the animals and how they are treated in captivity. These emotions will help the audience better understand why zoos should not exist, and Carr will have proven her point.

Also in Carr's article, Carr talks directly to the audience, as if her article is a speech. She also uses first person, particularly at the end of her article, when she offers the audience an alternative to going to zoos. She tells her audience that she no longer goes to the zoo, but instead, encourages her friends and family to boycott the zoo. It was also interesting how she told her audience that watching documentaries about animals or going to see them in their natural habitats is much more interesting and would help the animals so much more than if they went to the zoo to watch them. She claims that at first, she thought zoos were fun and entertaining, but when she got to know the animals "up close", she learned that zoos are chambers for the poor creatures, and that zoos are essentially in violation of the animals' rights.

I thought Carr was very effective in her article because not only did she teach me facts about zoos that I had never thought about or known, but she used these facts to portray her message. Through the use of pronouns and the appeal to emotion, Carr effectively persuaded her audience to stop attending zoos and to think about the animals and what they go through in captivity.

TOW #20: Ronald Reagan "Challenger Distaster" Speech

In the mid-1960s, a space shuttle was launched. This was a big milestone for America, and a big loss. They'd never lost an astronaut in flight, and it was a tragedy. 73 seconds after the flight launched, the shuttle exploded, and seven astronauts were killed. Ronald Reagan, the president at the time, felt more than compelled to provide the mourning citizens with a speech. The speech lasted a little over two minutes long, and was very well delivered. Reagan used metaphors, references, and collective pronouns in his speech to remind the nation that although there will be struggle and there will be hard times, the lives lost will never be forgotten, and they will motivate the nation to keep moving forward.

   

Several times throughout his speech, Reagan uses metaphors. For example, at one point, he refers to the seven astronauts as pioneers. Not only does this show respect to the lives lost, but it also makes it evident that these people were of high importance. Pioneer represents the beginning of a movement or even the leaders of a ship, and Reagan wanted to make sure the American people understood how influential the astronauts were. 

Reagan also used references in his speech. He made a particularly interesting reference to an episode that had occurred many years before but on the same date; this event was Sir Francis Drake dying aboard ship off of the coast of Panama. Then, he connects the incident to Drake's by saying that the people who dies aboard the shuttle, "Challenger", were just as important as Sir Francis Drake. Because many know that he was, and still is, considered legendary for circumnavigating the earth, the people can realize how enormous of a point that Reagan is making by comparing these people on the shuttle to this man who has made such a difference in the world. Reagan attempts and succeeds to make the nation consider how important these lives were, and how important it is to keep moving forward,

Finally, Reagan uses collective pronouns. This is the most prominent strategy Reagan utilizes because it can be seen in almost every other sentence. His uses of "we" and "us" substantiate the idea that Reagan wants this tragedy to be seen as an opportunity, not as a dramatic ending to the hopes and dreams of the nation's space program. Reagan also directly speaks to a few groups of people; one of these groups being schoolchildren who were watching the shuttle explode on live television. He has to announce that he knows it is difficult to understand. He also addresses the men and women of NASA, and commending them for their work and dedication. The way he goes about speaking to all of these people and creating a unifying feeling for the American people definitely makes his speech recognizable. 

This was a tragedy among tragedies, and at this time period, not many people knew what to do about it. However, through metaphors, references, and the use of collective pronouns, Ronald Reagan made evident that the lives lost were not the ending of hopes and dreams, but possibly the start of a new beginning. He succeeded in letting the people know this, and even in the short time that the speech was given, he may have managed to help many, many people respect the lives of these seven astronauts, and maybe shed a glimpse of light on the hope that the people should still have.

TOW #19: MAC vs. DELL advertisement

   The competition between Mac and Dell computers has been around for the last ten years, with competing advertisements being thrown into TV stations left and right. One recent ad features a Macbook laptop calling a Dell laptop a "nerd", and a the Dell calling the macbook a "pretty boy". This advertisement was for Dell. With use of clever word choice and personification, Dell essentially argues that their computers are better.

    The Ad provides clever word choice to the audience, as "nerd" and "pretty boy" are often said in the gossip going around high schools or even to label someone. The terms are not only relevant to the computers, but the word choice was perfect because it is easy for the audience to understand. For example, the Dell laptop calls the Mac "pretty boy" to show that the Mac is loved so much because it is designed to be a more visual appealing computer. On the other hand, Mac calls Dell a "nerd", because although it may be smarter, the computer is less attractive. So, Dell provides the underlying yet ultimate question: when it comes to computers, which aspect is more important, the visual aspect or the intelligence of the technology? Dell figured that most would choose the intelligence aspect because computers are made to provide information among other things. Because the two terms "nerd" and "pretty boy" are the only text on the ad, it is impressive that Dell is able to make such a solid argument.

  The ad also utilizes personification. The audience is perfectly aware that computers technically can't talk to each other, but the ad jumps at the chance to allow the devices to speak to each other, not only for a bit of humor, but also to represent the rivalry between the two companies. Dell wants to make its position clear and the company does so by allowing their computer to speak. This makes it much easier for audiences to comprehend, and also gives the technology a personality. The personification allows Dell to cement its argument.

The Dell and Mac rivalry will continue, but this ad provides a new perspective and raises that question of whether the value lies within the attractiveness of the laptop or the intelligence. Dell uses personification and clever word choice to make it clear to the audience that Dell is the better laptop, because it is smarter, and because the looks of the laptop doesn't mean much in the long run.



 

TOW #18: How to Say Nothing in 500 Words

(Link)

Recently in class, we were told to read George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language". This essay set a couple of standards and rules to adhere to when writing in politics- or any pieces in general. An essay I found, written by Paul McHenry Roberts, has a similar purpose. I thought that I might be able to compare and contrast the two pieces while also analyzing the new one I have read. In his essay, Roberts uses humor and enumeration in order to provide his audience with a better understanding of how to write short essays.
   The text begins by giving an example of an English teacher who assigns a 500 word essay about college football to his students. Right off the bat, Roberts connected with me, as I am a student and I understand the difficulties of writing about such a broad topic in such a small amount of words. Roberts then goes on to give a sample essay written at 10 PM the night before it was due (also a relatable asset...) and explains why it was unthoughtful and worthless- deserving of a "D". Here, Roberts uses a little bit of humor when describing the common student and how they write heir essays. Keeping in mind that this essay was written in the 1950s, Roberts claims, "Saturday night you have a date, and Sunday morning you have to go to church. (You can't let English assignments interfere with your religion.) What with one thing and another, it's ten o'clock Sunday night before you get out the typewriter again. You make a pot of coffee and start to fill out your views on college football." (Roberts, 1). His relatable humor here is very effective because he is able to connect with the reader, and gives the audience something to relate to. 
   The essay then goes on to list some of the ways to avoid getting that "D" on the assignment. Similarly to Orwell, he tells his audience about the importance of eliminating any kind of abstraction. He writes, "Look at the work of any professional writer and notice how constantly he is moving from the generality, the abstract statement, to the concrete example, the facts and figures, the illustrations. If he is writing on juvenile delinquency, he does not just tell you that juveniles are (it seems to him) delinquent and that (in his opinion) something should be done about it." (1). Not only does Roberts refer to yet another topic that I can relate to (delinquents...not that I am one), but he is explaining to his reader that great writers use legitimate examples, instead of abstract ideas. In contrast to Orwell, Roberts also writes about "taking the less usual side" in writing. He goes on to say that he best essays go against the common public opinion. He wants his audience to get a bit risky while also being smart about it. Roberts also uses many examples to explain why the simple can be so much better than the complicated- just like Orwell. One clear similarity between the two essays was that both authors made a point to explain to the audience that before taking any advice for the essays, make sure the advice taken will help, not hurt. It is better for writing to make sense than to try and follow every rule that has been mentioned. These are suggestions, not necessarily guidelines. The listing of these strategies made the essay extremely easy to follow, while also keeping it organized. 

         Roberts was definitely successful in getting across his message to the reader. His full-circle ending with the inclusion of the college football essay mentioned in the beginning was perfect. Through a bit of humor and enumeration, Roberts was able to suggest ideas and maybe provoke some change in the way short essays are written. Just as Orwell wrote, clear and concise is best.

IRB Preview

Through tons of consideration and overthinking, I have decided to read Aron Ralston's 127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place. First, I'd like to point out that in no way, shape, or form, will I have the stomach for this book- but I'm trying something new. I have not seen the movie, and I predict that the story will not only be intriguing, but also horrifying. Needless to say, I'm excited... and nervous.

Aron Ralston's Between a Rock and a Hard Place

    The well-known author, Ralston, wrote the book in 2004, after the tragic incident by which the book was inspired. Aron Ralston was hiking when his arm was caught under an 800-pound boulder, and there was no escaping it. Telling no one where he was headed, Ralston faces reality: there's one way to get out, and it will hurt. Personally, I am not too ecstatic for the gory details, but I have always been interested in the story ever since I had heard about it, but I never got around to learning about he sequence of events that this man suffered through. Luckily, Aron had a video camera on him to tape his dreadful six days, with little water, and almost no food. I chose this book because although it is a memoir, it is smaller-scoped because it will take place in a small amount of time, instead of over a lifetime.
    If I had to predict some strategies that Ralston will use to make his book interesting, two obvious candidates would be the appeal to pathos and ethos. Ralson has probably told his story over and over again, and because he suffered the pain and he wrote the book, it will be that much more believable. The emotional appeal is automatic. How can one not feel for a man who was closer to death every second? In my opinion, I guarantee some of the emotional appeal won't even be intentional, but through the plot line, it will just come. I also predict the use of similes and metaphors to express the pain he went through during his 127 hours. Last but not least, I can't even imagine the imagery that will be splattered on the pages of this book. This will be his most powerful tool. The imagery provokes the reader to react to the situation, and to imagine what it would be like to be there in the canyon- stuck between a rock and a hard place. I hope I am not let down by this book because I'm extremely excited (and nervous, of course) to read it!!