TOW #13-Abby Wambach Gatorade Commercial // Forget Me

                Gatorade recently published an advertisement titled “Forget Me.” Gatorade is a very well-known company that supplies athletic drinks for before, during and after exercise. They are also commonly known for using professional athletes that many people look up to in their advertisements. There are countless examples of famous professionals that have been featured in their commercials, some include: Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade, two famous basketball players, Derek Jeter, a famous baseball player, Usain Bolt, a famous sprinter, Lionel Messi, a famous soccer player, and in this case, Abby Wambach, a famous American female soccer player. Abby Wambach has the most career goals (184) and holds the record for not only female, but male included. She is a two time Olympic gold medalist, and was the captain for the US Women’s National Team. In this commercial, Gatorade utilizes an appeal to pathos and, and uses an iconic figure in order to advertise their company.

                This commercial is told by Abby Wambach. She talks about how she wants to “keep a legacy where the ball keeps rolling forward. Where the next generation is so great, that I am no longer remembered.” This quote is very selfless and shows how down-to-earth Wambach is. The use of her talking about how she doesn’t care that much about her successes, but how she does care about the future generations show hew true character. This invokes an emotional appeal because listening to someone who holds national records talk about how she only cares about making the world better makes the audience shed a tear or, at least, get the chills. The use of Abby Wambach as the character in this commercial is prevalent because, especially now as Wambach is retiring, everyone knows who she is. She is also an inspiring figure among young female athletes. Since this commercial is for Gatorade and Abby Wambach is now shown supporting Gatorade, this will also influence her supporters to buy the products sold. 

https://youtu.be/BGQZ5FfvP3E

TOW #12-Girl In The Woods by Aspen Matis

            This cycle I decided to read the nonfiction book Girl in the Woods by Aspen Matis. The book is written about Aspen’s experience in her first semester as a freshman in college. She recounts a time when she was raped, and speaks about how she felt as though she did not have any support. Her mother didn’t understand, she never mentioned it to her father, her brother told her to get over it, and her counselor could not do much to help get the rapist in trouble due to the little evidence they had. Aspen’s reaction was to escape. She didn’t want to continue to go to college because she could not stand to be near her rapist, but she felt as if she was letting her family down since everyone else went to very prestigious schools and had successful careers. In the first half of the book, the author uses description to explain scenarios she experienced and the life she lived during her freshman year.

            In the book, Aspen uses description to help the author visualize and understand the situations she was in and the feelings she felt. She explains her feelings after she realized that no one could help her by saying “I lay there, angry and scared, realizing finally that my school would not help her. The rape counselor didn’t. My parents couldn’t. I had to help myself. I had to leave this place.” Although this may be blunt, her telling us exactly how she is feeling makes it easy to picture a girl laying in her bed in her dorm room with a big frown on her face coupled with furrowed eyebrows. She also states, The air in my room tasted rancid, of damp dirty socks and old dried period blood. But I wasn’t on my period. I couldn’t breathe this air. My phone lit up—MOM—but I didn’t answer. I had to go outside, get out, right away.” This may be a little gross, but it is definitely easier to visualize what was happening at the exact moment that Aspen is describing. The description she uses helps progress the plot and make it easier for the reader to understand what is happening as the author describes it. 

TOW #11-ISIS: San Bernardino shooters were "supporters"

While acts of terrorism equate to acts of evil to most, few believe that terrorism is justifiable. The planned attacks in Paris sparked others from around the world who share the same beliefs as those who are involved in ISIS to commit terrible offenses. Since the Paris attacks, there have been multiple threats and actions that have resulted in more deaths and injuries. Recently in San Bernardino, there was a shooting relates to terrorism.  CNN’s Faith Karimi, along with Jason Hanna and Yousuf Basil, wrote about the information that combines to validate that the two shooters, Tashfeen Malik and Syed Rizwan Farook, were tied to radicalization. The authors employed juxtaposition and an appeal to ethos in order to confirm the attacks were a form of terrorism.

This terrible act of terrorism is the beginning of a new type of attacks. The authors make sure to let the readers know that this might not have necessarily been ISIS’ idea. Although ISIS is saying that they were ‘supporters’ of the terrorist group, the authors compare the other ways that ISIS has claimed responsibility to the way they handled this one. In other attacks, ISIS says that the people involved were part of the group and that ISIS was responsible, but in this case the author states that ISIS “did not say the couple were members or that ISIS was responsible.” By comparing these two separate easy that ISIS has dealt with attacks, the author can easily separate the two and warn the country that a new wave of attacks may be upon us. Ever since the Paris attacks, many more people who have radical beliefs are beginning to plan their own attacks, which is a whole new type of threats that our country will have to face. 

TOW #10-Friends Are Waiting

                Budweiser is known for their emotion-provoking ads and never fail to appeal to their audience. In one particular ad titled “Friend Are Waiting,” the company uses the relationship between a man and a dog to appeal to pathos in order to convince those who can drive to be responsible. The commercial starts by including short clips of video that shows the progression in the relationship between the dog and its owner. Starting as a puppy, you get to see countless examples of the enjoyable times the two creatures had together. Nearing the end, the owner meets friends at his house and the video shows the group leave with a case of Budweiser being put into the car they soon drive away in. As the night goes on it shows the dog waiting for his friend to return home, but he never does. The night passes and soon morning arrives and the animal is still whimpering and worried. After a while, the man returns home and encounters the dog with much excitement.

                The video uses the relationship that is universally known to appeal to the audience. Many people can relate to this relationship, and can also relate to the topic of drinking and driving. This video combines the two and truly appeals to pathos in order to convince the audience to avoid drinking and driving at all costs, because your “friends are waiting.”

TOW #9-Terror in Paris-Social Media Reacts

Over the past few days, there have been multiple acts of terrorism in France. ISIS claimed responsibility for the 129 people who have been killed, and the many more who are hurt and seriously injured. There was suicide bombings at the Stade de France, and shootouts at four 5 other locations: Le Petit Camboge, Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, Avenue de la Republique, Concert Venue (Balaclan) and La belle Equipe. CNN shared the news with American’s and other people from around the world with the use of images and quotes.

CNN was giving live updates on the terrorist attacks that unfolded on Friday and early Saturday (Paris time) in France. The news was shared and coming in by the minute, as CNN tweeted videos and interviews and clips of their reporters sharing the current news. Social media exploded; ‘sometimes in support, sometimes in fear. Sometimes in hope, other times with pride” (Payne). Ed Payne posted an article on CNN about how social media reacted to the terrorist attacks. Payne shows his audience how people reacted with the use of real examples and screenshots, such as the hashtag “prayforparis” (Payne), which was the top trend during the events that people used to show that the people in Paris were in their thoughts and prayers. This hashtag united countries and people and provided support for families and friends of those who had been murdered.

He included screenshots of what other accounts had tweeted during these events, and also explains how newspapers in Paris recounted the events “with words such as ‘carnage’, ‘horror,’ ‘massacre’ and ‘war.’ Another way that he explains how people provided support for these inhumane acts of terrorism was by including the hashtag “PorteOuverte,” which translates to ‘OpenDoor.’ People in Paris who were without a place to stay used this hashtag. He included a screenshot of a man’s tweet, as he was offering his home to those who couldn’t travel back to their place. He also included videos and tweets that showed the pride people had in their country as they all united to fight and stay strong during a time of threat and danger. He included a video of people traveling home after the soccer match on a train, singing the French national anthem.

Altogether, Payne’s use of videos, pictures, quotes and interviews combined to show the international support that was given to the victims and families who got caught in the terrorist attacks. He successfully shared information and rallied the world as we all united to control a terrible group of terrorists. 

Non-fiction introduction #2-Girl in the Woods

I found this book from an add on an app one day, so I decided to look more into it as I found it intriguing. The book is written by Aspin Matis and it follows her adventures and thoughts as she hiked from Mexico to Canada.

TOW #8-The Other Wes Moore

This non-fiction book tells the story of two people living in the same city, with the same name: one who is in jail for life on the account of attempt to murder, and one who lives an incredibly successful life with a long list of accomplishments. The book was written by the successful Wes Moore and narrates how two people can grow up to be so different even if they are from similar backgrounds. The author attended Johns Hopkins University and later University of Oxford. Throughout the book, Moore appeals to the young readers who have the chance to turn their life around, or those who have turned their life around. The Other Wes Moore appeals to his audience by narrating the outcomes of two people from parallel backgrounds with the use of life lessons and irony.

The central point of this book is extremely ironic; how two people could grow up so close to each other, with the same name, similar family situations, and alike situations without knowing about each other. The author exemplifies the irony by including points in the author’s life when his life was ironic, foreshadowing how ironic the entire situation is as well. At one point, “Years earlier, I had run through these same woods with all of my might, looking for safety, trying to get away from campus. Tonight, I ran through the same woods looking for safety, but in the other direction” (Moore). In addition, the author recalls a time when his mother called him on the phone and said that “Everything is fine, but I have something crazy to tell you. Did you know the cops are looking for another guy from your neighborhood with your name for killing a cop?” (Moore) In addition to the irony, he includes multiple life lessons that appeal to the audience, one being that “it’s not the process you should focus on; it’s the joy you will feel after you go through the process” (Moore). He also says that “When it is time for you to leave this school, leave your job, or even leave this earth, you make sure you have worked hard to make sure it mattered you were ever here” (Moore), which is something that many people can relate to because everyone comes to the realization at some point in their life when the contemplate what they want their purpose on Earth to be. Wes Moore successfully used life lessons and irony to explain the craziness in the people he learned about, and the craziness in the experiences he dealt with along the way.

 

TOW #7-Extra Gum commercial

Extra Gum has published a video that has blown up the internet, making people fall in love with their gum and the story they created. Extra Gum is known for their exotic flavors ranging from the normal spearmint and peppermint, to cinnamon roll and mint chocolate chip. This United States company launched in 1984 and is additionally known for its long lasting flavors. Extra was the world's first sugar-free gum company and they have added an array of flavors that the world loves. Recently they published a video that appealed to the audience's emotions to advertise their company in order to make money off of people's purchases of the gum.

In this commercial, Extra tells the story about a girl and a boy who fall in love in high school: something unusual for a Gum company to publish. The way they tied their product into the love story is truly remarkable. Every time a memorable moment happens the girl in the video gives her lover a piece of gum, and each time the boy in the story receives a piece of gum, he draws on the wrapper the situation that occurred. For example, the first time they kissed they were sitting in the car as one was about to get out and leave after a date. After the kiss, the girl gave the boy a piece of Extra Gum, and once she left, he drew a picture of them sitting in the front seats of his car leaning in for a kiss. Their love story progresses in a few minutes, but it ends with the two going on another date. The boy tells her where to go, and he leads her to a room that had picture frames along the wall, and inside the frames were every picture he drew of each situation they had already experienced. As she walks to the last frame, the video zooms in on the remaining drawing: the man proposing to his sweetheart. As she turns around, she encounters her soon to be husband on one knee. This video appeals to the all human's emotions as everyone longs for love, and this seemed to be the most delightful and endearing love story known to man. And who wouldn't want to buy gum from a company who loves love?

TOW #5-South Carolina flooding: Dams breached, more trouble ahead

In the last week, the Carolina’s have been hit hard with major floods. Holly Yan, a reporter, writer and editor that specializes in breaking news, and Ray Sanchez, posted an article in CNN on the 6^th informing American citizens about the destruction that occurred as a result of this flood. The excessive water is due to dams breaking, a circumstance that could cost “billions of dollars in damage.” The authors use statistics and pathos to inform American citizens of the shocking flooding that is still occurring in South Carolina so that the public feels sympathy for the state’s citizens.

The authors include a considerable amount of statistics that provide the reader with enough information to understand how traumatizing this flood is for South Carolinian’s. Since Saturday, “11 dams have failed in South Carolina” which accounts for the primary reason the flooding has become such a concern. “So far, at least 17 people have died in weather-related incidents” which proves that the flooding is not just ‘a little water.’ This is also effecting the South Carolinian’s housing, as it is recited that, “there had been 175 water rescues so far in South Carolina, and more than 800 people were temporarily housed in shelters.” By providing these statistics that cannot be refuted, it is evident that this is a traumatic flood. These solid facts urge Americans to feel empathy for these people.  Additionally, these statistics appeal to the reader’s emotions. The title itself, “Dams breached, more trouble ahead,” is enough information to boost the reader’s emotions and provide them with immediate evidence that leads to the sympathetic feeling. The overall message of the article is to inform the rest of the country of the life-threatening floods, and by using statistics and appealing to pathos, the author’s successfully reached their goal. 

TOW #4-The Other Wes Moore

This non-fiction book follows the lives of two people living in the same city, with the same name: one who is in jail for murder, and one who lives a very successful life. The book was written by the successful Wes Moore and studies how two people can grow up to be so different even if they are from similar backgrounds. The author attended Johns Hopkins University and later University of Oxford. Throughout the book, Moore appeals to the young readers who have the chance to turn their life around, or those who have turned their life around. Author Wes Moore uses juxtaposition and pathos to explain how our actions determine our fate.

The author wrote his book in a unique way. Instead of explaining his life and then comparing the other Wes Moore’s life directly after, he instead writes a chapter about his life, then follows by a chapter about the other Wes Moore. He compares their lives by avoiding the cookie-cutter compare and contrast outline, though in the beginning, he states that both grew “up at the same time, on the same streets, with the same name” (Moore). In addition, Moore tells the audience how neither of them have a father. The author Wes Moore explains this by telling us that there are “only two memories I have of my father. The other was when I watched him die” (Moore). The other Wes Moore’s father “had been a ghost since his birth” (Moore). This juxtaposition compares their situations and explains that although both people didn’t have a father, they reacted in separate ways. Also, the author explains how our fate is determined by our actions by appealing to our emotions. The author says, “Tony was the closest thing Wes had to a role model. But the more he tried to be like his brother, the more his brother rejected him. The more he copied him, the more Tony pushed back. Wes wanted to be just like Tony. Tony wanted Wes to be nothing like him” (Moore). By including specific details of times where they felt confused or let down, it allows the audience to feel sympathy for the struggles that both Wes’ went through.

TOW #3-Pope appeals to immigrants to make their voices heard

On Sunday September 12, Jeff Gammage, Julia Terruso, Claudia Vargas and Regina Medina, all writers for The Philadelphia Inquirer, published an article about the message the Pope sent on his visit to Philadelphia. It is addressed in the article how the Pope views America's 'problem' with immigrants. He explains to the people of the Philadelphia metropolitan area his opinion on how to act on this topic during his visit to Independence Hall. The authors portray the Pope's view on why our country needs to accept immigrants by including examples of immigrants who have been helping our nation.

                The Pope’s father “emigrated as a child with his family from Italy to Argentina after Mussolini came to power,” so he knows first-hand what life is like as an immigrant. He speaks to the citizens and explains that it is not acceptable to force them away, but that we need to understand that immigrants can build “a beautiful life” (Strand). He explains that not all immigrants expect our government to save them and give them a new life. He also explains that those who have immigrated should not leave behind their culture. He explains the importance of holding onto your roots. Strand, a women from Poland who is now living in the United States, came alone at age 19 with only $5. “She landed in Baltimore, worked in a factory, got married, became a citizen.” By included this narration in the text that proves the Pope’s point, it validates his opinion and gives him more credibility. The mere fact that this opinion is the Pope’s opinion is extremely credible, since people have traveled extraordinary distances in order to hear what the Pope had to say. The authors were successful in portraying the Pope’s opinion by including narrations of people who went to see the Pope.  

TOW #2-9/11 Budweiser Commercial

Budweiser commercials are known for their signature Clydesdales. Though it is expected that Budweiser produce a jaw-dropping commercial each year, their 9/11 Tribute that aired February 3^rd, 2002 during Super Bowl XXXVI will not be forgotten. Budweiser only aired this commercial once, as they did not want to make a profit off of the commercial’s success. They also only included their logo once throughout the commercial at the very end. The genuine reason for this commercial was to remember the horrific terrorist attack and show the company’s support. In the ad, the horses take a long journey and end up standing in the snow with New York City’s skyline in the background. At once, the horses all lift their front leg up and bow their heads to the city.

What makes this commercial more significant and powerful is the lack of words. Although they didn’t include any dialogue the purpose is still reached. The audience, all Americans citizens, can all appreciate the silence in this commercial, as it can also translate to a moment of silence that you would experience if you were reflecting on a tragedy or praying for people you love. Both of which apply to 9/11. The commercial is an allusion, since it does not need to be described in order for the audience to understand and relate to the context of the commercial. Budweiser’s commercial was effective. Not only was it impactful to the audience, but it was also chilling and strong. All US citizens, old and young, should see this commercial because it also gives background on how the country was coping with the devastation. Not only were humans showing support, but also Clydesdales.

Non-fiction Introduction #1-The Other Wes Moore

This non-fiction book is about two people living in the same city with the same name: one who is in jail for murder, and one who lives a very successful life. The book was written by the successful Wes Moore and studies how two people can grow up to be so different even if they are from similar backgrounds.

TOW #1-Bionic Eyes, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy: 3 Cutting Edge Cures for Blindness

The news article, Bionic Eyes, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy: 3 Cutting Edge Cures for Blindness, was written by Alexandra Sifferlin and Alice Park. Both are writers for TIME Magazine who focus their non-fiction writing on public health issues and big ideas in medicine. In this issue geared towards the general public and those who are interested in the advancements of science, they focus their attention on different methods to cure blindness including Bionic Eyes, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy.

Sifferlin and Park confirm their credibility by not only working for one of the most commonly known news magazines in the world, but also by citing established scientists and researchers such as the director of the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health, and a doctor at the University of Pennsylvania. This article was written during a time period where technology has been rapidly increasing, and is now being applied to the field of science. In order for the authors to achieve their purpose of making the public aware of the advancements in technology and its application to curing blindness, they incorporate the rhetorical devices of coherence personal examples. The authors’ coherence is displayed throughout the text when she explains each advancement. She follows the same order, “The Patient,” “The Treatment,” “How it works” and “What it’s like for (patient’s name).” This layout makes it easier to comprehend each eye treatment, and how each treatment differs from the other. In addition, including personal examples and excerpts from each person that explain how their treatment has greatly improved their life accomplishes her purpose in a more relatable way. These personal cases illustrates how successful these treatments already are, and with the improvement of technology, how successful they can be.

Once More to the Lake by E. B. White / 1941

The author of Once More to the Lake, E. B. White, was a famous author who worked as a writer and contributing editor for The New Yorker magazine. White went to college at Cornell University and later became the author of the infamous Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web. Later in 1978, he earned a Pulitzer Prize special citation. It is evident that World War II did not influence White in 1941, since his essay does not relate at all to conflict.

White’s purpose was to narrate the relationship between a father and a son. He argues that at some point in every father’s life, they come to the realization that he is no longer a child and has to face the reality of growing up. The narration is written in no particular order, given that it follows the flow of his thoughts. The essay begins by explaining White’s experience when he used to go to the lake as a child. He explains that he wanted to “revisit old haunts” (White 179), so he went for a week with his son. He continues with the essay by comparing how the lake was when he used to go with his father many years ago, and how the lake was when he went with his son. He uses the rhetorical device of repetition to explain that “there had been no years” (White 181). This use of repetition in this way achieved the author’s purpose since this makes it seem as if the father is reliving his past through his son. He explains this situation clearly. “Everywhere we went I had trouble making out which was I, the one walking at my side, the one walking in my pants” (White 184). White’s intended audience is everyone, since everyone can relate to the parent-child relationship that is illustrated. The narration comes to an end when White states, “…suddenly, my groin felt the chill of death” (White 185). He explains describes that at this point, he suddenly realizes that he is not the child anymore. White accomplished his goal by using repetition and a sudden ending.

Like Father Like Son

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/28/children-favourite

Women and Honor: Some Notes on Lying by Adrienne Rich / 1977

Adrienne Rich, a well-known and influential American poet, essayist and feminist, wrote Women and Honor: Some Notes on Lying in 1977 in the midst of civil rights movements.  Rich graduated from Radcliffe University in 1951 for the Yale Series of Younger Poets prize for A Change of World that same year.  Later in the 1960s, Rich focused her work towards women’s role in society, racism, and the Vietnam War. She was influenced to write this essay by the feminist and civil rights movements that occurred in the 1970s and was later awarder the National Book Award.

Rich wrote this essay for the purpose of explaining that lying should not be overlooked as something natural. She argues to that truthfulness is an important aspect in a personal relationship. This essay begins with a juxtaposition that compares men’s honor to women’s honor and then is followed by motives for why we lie. She explains how lies have changed due to the demand of what is accepted at the time. She points out that we “lie with our bodies” (Rich 415) and explains that we are lying when we “pluck our eyebrows” or “glaze finger and toe nails” (Rich 415). Not only do we unknowingly lie with our bodies, Rich adds that we lie “depending on what the men of the time needed to hear” (Rich 145). The essay is capped off by Rich explaining how important she believes truthfulness is when it comes to personal relationships and that truthfulness is equivalent to extending “the possibility of life between us” (Rich 420). Rich appeals to her female audience by using repetition as a rhetorical strategy. She uses diacopes such as “the complexity and fecundity of dreams come from the complexity and fecundity of the unconscious struggling to fulfill that desire” (Rich 414), and anaphoras such as “It is important” (Rich 414) and “The liar” (Rich 413) in order to clearly achieve her purpose of expressing the importance of truthfulness. Rich accomplished her purpose clearly with the use of repetition and her educated background. 

Lying with Makeup

Rich believes wearing makeup is equivalent to lying. Do you agree?

http://makeup.lovetoknow.com/image/147180~makeup.jpg