TOW #13 Kmart Commercial

Kmart has recently started releasing "edgy" commericals, and unleased them unto the internet, where they have gone viral. Some of the commercials use play on words, the first popular one titled "Ship My Pants", which bragged about a Kmart customer can ship anything from Kmart to their homes. While the commercial was strictly about shipping, the play on words made people think of a more vulgar expression. Their newest holiday commeccial featured several attactive men in tuxedo jackets and boxer shorts, shaking their hips to the tune of "jingle bells". Kmart seems to be pushing the envelope with these commericials, but they are absolute genius. Through humor, they spread the word of their company through the media of the internet.
Kmart must be praised for knowing their audience, the average American citizen. They use humor that would appeal to them, even if it does seem a bit edgy for a commerical. When people see the commerical they are shocked at the slightly inappropiate humor, but also very amused. This causes the commerical to stick in their minds, and with it, the company that created it. Thus Kmart makes people remember their store.
People not only remember these commericals, but struck by the hilarity, want to share it with others. These commericals have gaimed millions of views on the internet as people share them with their family and friends. They were even featured on the news! As the commericals gain more popularity, so does the influencce of Kmart, as people gain awareness of their store.
The Kmart commericals are effective because though they rely on humor, they are not overpowered by it. Their message (to advertise the store) is not drowned out by the humor. The commericals are not unrelated to Kmart and the services they offer as a store. Instead, they are snarky and quirky while maintaining their purpose: shop at Kmart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVhIMr4ScI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I03UmJbK0lA

TOW #12 IRB post Naked by David Sedaris

David Sedaris did not have a glamourous childhood, yet his memoirs in his autobiography Naked are compelling and attention-grabbing. As Sedaris writes about who he is, and how he came to be the man he is today, he recounts his humble beginnings. Through contrast and and humor, he tells the story of his childhood in an interesting and through-provoking manner.
The first essay of the book is titled "Chipped Beef". The essay starts out by recounting Sedaris's "anit-childhood", the childhood he wanted but did not have. He talks about his rich family, who is so beautiful they are asked to sit in the front row of church, as to not distract those attending the service, and are often stopped on the street and asked for autographs. The memoir is actually quite confusing at first, though very amusing. One is not completely certain that Sedaris is not speaking truthfully about his childhood until his mother wakes him from a dream, and Searis is brought back to reality.
The reality of his life if quite different than his fantasy. His parents have many children, and struggle to support them all. Sedaris is angry at his life sometimes, wanting a more luxurious one. This stark contrast, which is sharpened by the humor of his "dream" paints a picture for the reader of Sedaris's lot in life, allowing them to better understand where he comes from.
David Sedaris is a joy to read, and a terribly interesting man. I can't wait to read more!

TOW #11 Whale Painting

Many mediums have been used to capture the intense beauty of nature, but none perhaps are as expressive as the art of painting. Many unfortunate environmental circumstances however, like pollution and emissions, threaten the existence of nature's beauty. Artist Jakub Poriz has painted a series of environmental paintings in order to exemplify nature's beauty, and raise awareness of the action needed to be taken to prevent its destruction. Through his use of color and brush strokes, he paints a picture (pun intended) of a serene ocean scene, allowing the viewer to see the beauty of the ocean, and perhaps feel compelled to protect it.
Poriz uses mainly light colors in the painting. There is an impression of sunlight streaming through the water and blessing the whales. The whales are darker upon the light water making them stand out to the viewer. The light colors create a sense of calmness of the painting, making the audience connect with the paradisal ocean and want to preserve its serene beauty. The contrast of the whales' bodies make the whales stand out and is significant in making the whales seem more real to audience, many of whom have probably never seen a whale in real life. By accenting the fact that the whales are real creatures, he allows the viewer to connect to the animals and feel like they should protect them.
The brush strokes Poriz uses are very fine and add to the intricacy of the painting. They contrast the bulkiness associated with whales generally and add a unique beauty to the scene. They also create a movement in the painting. One can imagine the whales moving in a lackadaisical manner. The brushstrokes make the reader associate the scene in the painting with peacefulness and beauty, something they should want to protect.
Poriz sells this painting and many others to make others aware of the beauty of the environment, and to call for a change to protect it. The profits from the prints of these paintings go to environmental efforts.

TOW #10 China's One-Child Policy Article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/six-questions-on-chinas-one-child-policy-answered/2013/11/15/ad64af1c-4def-11e3-be6b-d3d28122e6d4_story.html

This past week China has changed its regulations in its one-child policy, now allowing couples to have a second child if one of the parents is an only child. I read an article, from the Washington Post, on the one-child policy, titled "Six questions on China's one-child policy, answered." This article, uses a very structured approach, as well as statistics in order to inform people of background information on the one-child policy.
Right in the title of the article, it lets you know that there are going to be six parts to the article. Each part is a question that the public probably has and needs answered. This structured approach allows the reader, who is probably a busy American, to stay focused on the article and receive the information they need to be informed on the issue. Also by addressing each question he assumes the reader has, the author makes sure the reader is fully informed, and leaves no questions left unanswered.
Within each answer to the questions, the author, William Wan, uses several statitics and reputable facts. These strengthen his arguments. By citing stats from places like the United Nations allow him to appear more reliable as an informer. The statics also allow the reader to be more informed by giving them exact numbers to but their head around,
William Wan successful in providing a quick, crash course on the in and outs of China's one-child policy.

TOW #9 Dexter Review

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tv_editorial/news/1928944/weekly_binge_dexter/

Posted on Rotten Tomatoes, a reputable and frequently used review website, this editorial is part of a series called "The Weekly Binge", which recommends TV shows to people, usually ones that have already been running for several seasons already. This week's recommendation was Dexter an eight season show about a vigilante serial killer. The editorial uses questions-and-answers, as well as colloquial language to convince readers to watch Dexter.
The article is layed out in various short paragraphs, with the heading of head paragraph being a question. The question is then answered in the following paragraph. The questions include: "What's the premise?" "Where can I see it?" "What do the critics say?" and etc. The questions are representative of questions the author feels the reader might potentially have. By posing the question and answering it, the author helps the reader become very well informed about the TV show. This lets them know all of the details, making it easier for them to watch it, and also addresses any concerns they might have. By informing the audience about the show, and just how good it is, the author convinces them to watch the show as well.
With in each answer to the question, the author uses very colloquial language, as if he were talking to a friend. This language helps give the article a layed back feel. Reading in colloquial language makes the article more approachable, as if the recommendation is coming from a friend or colleague. Being relatable with this language, the author is better able to equate with his audience, the average American. If the audience member thinks that he or she is similar to the author, then they will believe that they will like the show just as much as they do, and will be more likely to watch it.
Fully informative, and friendly, this editorial is extremely persuasive to watch the show Dexter. After reading this I definitely would go watch the show, if I hadn't already watched all eight seasons of course!

IRB #2 Intro Post

For my second IRB I will be reading Naked by David Sedaris. I was inspired to read this after reading Sedaris's essay "A Plague of Tics" which is in this book. I have also read other pieces by DAvid Sedaris and think he is an incredibly funny and interesting man. Naked is an autobiography and chronicles Sedaris's life from childhood to adulthood. I hope that this book will be an engaging and interesting read.

TOW #8 IRB post 2 My Life in France

Julia Child led a fascinating life. Most people who saw me reading My Life in France were puzzled at my interest, probably because I am not a middle-aged housewife. "Do you like cooking?" and I would just smile and nod although truthfully cooking has never been a passion of mine. You don't have to be an inspiring chef to enjoy Julia Child's autobiography. She is a very interesting woman, who lived in a very interesting place during a very interesting time. She faced challenges and was a trailblazer. She is truly inspirational.
As I said in my previous post, Child used very descriptive language to describe her first meal in France. This theme continued throughout the whole novel. I loved hearing all of the descriptions, of savory meats, fresh salads, creamy cheeses; they really made my mouth water. Even though I may not love cooking, I love food! These descriptions combined with the uses of French words really made the book seem very authentic.
Julia (oops, I mean Child, it's just I feel as if I know her so well) also was terrific and interspersing her voice throughout the chapters. She did this in the form of interjections, or funny sayings, helping create a sense of familiarity with the reader. Her style also made her story more relatable. For instance after coming to the Cordon Bleu Academy, Child knew almost nothing about cooking, and at first was not very successful. She did not get discouraged, and instead said, "Ah me, I had so much to learn!" He ability to never give up was truly inspiring.
Through her descriptive language and style Julia Child creates a piece that is interesting and relatable, as well as inspiring for anyone to read.

TOW #7 How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

Intro to How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

People often think that becoming a vegetarian means adopting a bland, monotonous diet that exclusively grains and vegetables. However Mark Bittman, New York Times Food journalist and author of How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food, constantly contradicts this line of thought by producing articles and recipes that highlight the clear benefits of vegetarianism, as well as its exciting palate. In the intro of his book How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, Bittman uses exemplification and non-judgemental tone to introduce vegetarianism to his readers as beneficial and painless practice that they should incorporate into their lives.

Many people incorporate becoming a vegetarian with a lack of variety and options, but Bittman contradicts this with exemplification. He writes that his book "contains everything you need to know to cook every vegetable, fruit, grain, legume, and dairy product you can readily find," as well as "everything from plain rice, to things you may have never heard of, like seitan." By including several examples, Bittman displays that being a vegetarian does not mean your diet is revered for vegetables, and can include a variety of delicious and exotic foods. Bittman also uses exemplification to explain the benefits of vegetarianism. He explains that not only is it healthier, but leads to better treatment of animals and a reduced environmental impact. Bittman exemplifies the variety, as well of the benefits of vegetarianism, making the practice appeal more to his readers.

Despite all of the political and environmental issues surrounding vegetarianism, Bittman has a reserved and nonjudgemental tone. Assumedly most of his readers are mothers, who may feel like switching to vegetarian may be a hassle in their already busy lives. He writes that he is not trying to convince them to become a full fledged vegetarianism, but that they can incorporate meals with less meat into their lives. This approach is likely to resonate with mothers, instead of one that accuses them of feeding unhealthy, meatfilled meals to their children, an approached used by many vegan and vegetarian advocates.

Through exemplification and a non-judgemental tone, Bittman successfully advocates vegetarianism as a healthy and easy practice that can be incorporated into any lifestyle

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, by Mark Bittman, the man who partially inspired me to become a vegetarian

TOW #6 The American Pageant

The American Pageant is an American History text book, written by David Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas Bailey. The American Pageant is used widely across the United States for American History courses, including Wissahickon High School! Though mostly commonly used for AP and IB courses, the book is written at an eighth grade reading level, and is generally very easy to understand. The purpose of The Pageant, as is the purpose of any textbook, is to provide a mostly unbiased and interesting approach to history for a student, who assumedly has minimal to no prior knowledge of the subject.
The Pageant does it's best to be interesting, but it is still a textbook, and can be rather dry at times. The authors try to intersperse descriptive language to make the history seem more narrative. For example, in the chapter I was assigned to read the week (Chapter 8), the book describes General William Howe's personality: "Howe did not relish the rigors of winter campaigning. He evidently found more agreeable the bedtime company of his mistress, the wife of one of his subordinates-- a scandal which American satirists had a good deal of ribald fun." (152) While describing the affairs of General Howe does not directly help The Pageant achieve it's purpose (in the grand scheme of the American Revolution, Howe's scandal is relatively unimportant, and it is unlikely to show up on an AP exam), including this tidbit adds some drama to the text. It is an interesting fact that is likely to catch the reader's attention and stick in their brain. Subsequently, it can help serve as background information, and aide understanding of more important aspects of the text, for example, since I know Howe was inattentive and lazy, I can infer why his military strategy was rather ineffective. This narrative tone is used throughout chapters in an attempt to make the content more interesting for students.
The American Pageant also helps to alleviate boredom in the long text through its layout. The chapters are all further broken down into sections, allowing the reader to track their progress and pace themselves throughout the chapter. Also several pictures and primary source documents are included to break up the text, and make pages less intimidating with less text. I think this practice is only somewhat successful in making the textbook more interesting. While it does help to have a visual aide, I think many times students will skip over pictures and primary source documents in order to be done reading sooner.
The American Pageant is not an atrocity, but it is still a textbook. It tries its best to be interesting and unbiased, but is still lengthy and glosses over several tragedies. The book provides great background information, but with history it is always important to consider multiple sources. In APUSH we also read Zinn, which is a completely different approach to history. Neither is correct or incorrect, but as a reader one must be conscious of the purpose and context of the text before making conclusions about anything.

TOW #5 Teen Vogue Ad

Teen Vogue Ad

This advertisement appeared in the October issue of Teen Vogue. The ad is for Macy's Department store, particularly the Junior's or Women's Department. Found in a popular fashion magazine, it is pretty safe to assume that the purpose of the ad is to entice young women to shop at Macy's. The audience, someone who reads Teen Vogue, is obviously very fashion and trend conscious, and would want to recreate the looks they found between the pages of the magazines. The advertisement claims that they can do so at Macy's by saying: "The hottest trends. The coolest brands. The place you want to be."
The ad is also very manipulative in its layout. In an ad-heavy magazine like Teen Vogue, readers are likely to skip over ads to get to content, especially overly-wordy ads. However this ad is similar in layout to many of the photoshoots found in the magazine. It's simplistic format is likely to draw in a reader who is flipping through, who may mistake the ad for an article. By the time the reader realizes that it is an ad, they will have already viewed the ad in its entirety.
The ad also takes advantage of of technology in its delivery to extend the advertisement beyond the page. At the bottom of the page there are several icons, announcing which social media sites Macy's is connected on, inviting girls who view the ad to like them on Facebook, or pin this look on Pintrest. They also offer a url: "maceys.com/mstylelab" so that readers can "shop more looks" . By using social media and the internet, Macy's is able to advertise more than just the dress pictured in the ad.
The dress pictured costs $89 dollar, according to the label next to the dress. While this initally might seem pricey, and therefore actually do the opposite of the ad's purpose by driving people away, it is important to consider the context. This ad is found in a magazine filled with designer clothes that are often upwards of $300. By juxtaposing this dress and the designer clothing, it seems like an attractive affordable price for a dress.
All together, the ad knows it's audience, and uses that knowledge, to deliver the ad in an effective way.

TOW #4 IRB Post 1

Though still in the beginning, I am thoroughly enjoying My Life in France by Julia Child. Julia Child wrote this book with help from her grandnephew, who is a writer. Though written close to, and completed after her death, the book chronicles the happiest time in Julia's life. So far, I have read about how she moved to France with her husband, who had a job improving French and American relations after the war with visual art. She knew almost no French, and had never really been one for adventurous cooking and eating, however she discovered a love for fine French cuisine, that blossomed into a passion.
Julia Child expresses this passion through her descriptive tone. One of my favorite passages is when she has her very first meal in France, an eyeopener for her. She writes, "Then came the salade verte laced with a lightly acidic vinaigrette. And I tasted my first real baguette-- a crisp brown crust giving way to a slightly chewy, rather loosely textured interior, with a faint reminder of wheat and yeast in the odor and taste. Yum!" (19) My mouth starts to water! All of Child's descriptions of food are very vivid, like imagery for the taste buds (is there a name for such a rhetorical device). Not only does it convey her passion, but it also appeals to ethos. Julia Child is a renowned chef, and it is very evident through her delicious descriptors.
Also in her descriptions Child infuses French words and phrases. Like in the description above salade verte. Though she could have easily just said "green salad" using the French term provides a more authenticity to her writing. She uses French terms not only in descriptions of food but also of her everyday life. I think that sometimes parts of meaning of words can get lost in translation. Using French terms helps convey some of the French culture that Julia Child loves so much. I also really enjoy this because I love learning about French language and culture.
This book is perfect for me because it combines two of my loves: French and food. I can't wait to read on and discover more of Julia Child's Life in France. 

TOW #3 Adventure Time

Adventure Time is one of my favorite cartoons. Created by Pendleton Ward for Cartoon Network, the animated serious follows the adventures of friends best friends Finn the talking dog and Jake the human boy. Together they live in the magical post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, where they fight monsters and save the day. Adventure Time has run for five seasons, and is extremely popular not only among children, but teens and adults as well.

One reason Adventure Time is so popular is its use of humor. Though it may have an immediate audience for young children, the humor used often has mature undertones, making it enjoyable for an extended older audience. The show does not rely on cheap or crude humor, but instead creates amusing interaction between characters through hyperbole. Each character is an exaggeration of a specific type of character. There is Finn, the ultimate "good guy", Jake the lazy best friend, and Ice King the desperate bachelor, who is constantly abducting princesses. Each character is flawed but at the same time completely lovable, and all together they convey messages about love, loyalty, and friendship.

But perhaps the thing that makes Adventure Time most popular among an older audience is the sense of nostalgia created in each episode. Each adventure Finn and Jake go on awakens a sense of adventure one can remember feeling as a young child. Each episode when Finn and Jake wake up in their treehouse, ready to take on the monsters of the day I, myself, am reminded of pretending games I would play as a child where I battled monster. In fact, even the core premise of the show, where Finn is the last human left on Earth, evokes an extreme sense of nostalgia. The nostalgia generated by the characters and their adventures appeals to the viewers sense of pathos.

All together, I think Adventure Time is largely popular amongst an older audience not only because it is entertaining, but because it reminds them of a simpler time in their lives. Unlike many other cartoons with older audiences (like The Simpsons or Family Guy), it is a cartoon that appeals to the viewer's inner child through it's innocence and nostalgia, while at the same time is humorous and enjoyable.

TOW #2 New York Times Article on Navy Yard Shooting

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/us/obama-to-attend-memorial-service-for-victims-of-navy-yard-shooting.html?hp&_r=0

"Obama to Attend Memorial Service for Victims of Navy Yard Shooting"

            This article was written for the New York Times by journalist Michael D Shear. Shear is a white house correspondent for the New York Times, and has also  for the Washington Post. He this article as a response to the shooting at the Navy Yard. He announces that there will be a memorial service for the victims this coming Sunday, and that the Obamas will be attending to honor the victims. While Shear’s explicit purpose is to report the news of the memorial service, the article goes on with a more implicit purpose: a commentary on the gun law controversy in America.

             Shears is unhappy with the reoccurrence of each shooting, as well as the way they are being handled politically. Though this is a professionally written news article, and not an opinion piece, hints of impatience and frustration can be detected in Shear’s tone. “It has become an all-too-familiar role for Mr. Obama[…] At each event, the president has sought to find the right balance between the sadness of a nation and the anger of its citizens,” Shears writes, “But the memorial services have also served to provide Mr. Obama with the emotional power to fuel his gun-control efforts.” Shear’s tone implies that he feels that Obama is exploiting these tragedies in order to pass gun control legislation. However, Shears seems even further frustrated that despite Obama’s “emotion power,” no drastic change have been made in gun legislation. He writes, “there is little evidence that lawmakers’ positions on gun violence have shifted much in the past several months. And with Congress locked in a bitter fight about the debt and the budget, there appears to be little appetite on Capitol Hill for another battle over guns.”

            Shear’s frustration expressed through his tone likely resonates with many Americans, who are also disappointed with the lack of changes made to gun laws, especially in light of recent tragedies. However, Shear’s article definitely has more liberal biases, and is likely more effective to politically-left Americans. While I don’t think Shear’s article is strong enough to sway a conservative gun-advocate, (but then again it is supposed to be an unbiased news piece) it definitely portrays the frustration felt by many Americans.

A make shift memorial at the Washington Navy Yard

N.d. Photograph. The Week. The Week, 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 22 Sept. 2013. <http://theweek.com/article/index/249934/dont-try-to-make-sense-of-mass-shootings>.

TOW #1 "The War Within" by Anthony L. Gargno

            “The War Within” was written by author and journalist Anthony L. Gargano, and was published in the April 2013 edition of the Philadelphia magazine. This article was written for the public, in order to shed light on the inner turmoil marines and other soldiers face after returning from war. Gargano discusses the post-war life of one specific marine, referred to as “the Tree Pruner” for anonymity, who was a snipper in the middle east, and estimated he is responsible for the deaths of over 2,200 lives. Though the term is never explicitly uses, it becomes clear to the reader throughout the article that the marine suffers from extreme PTSD, wrought with guilt from his acts from the war.

            The author is able to show this guilt through the rhetorical device of narration. He retells the marine’s difficulty dealing with the traumatic stress in a story-like fashion. For example he describes how the Tree Pruner finds it difficult to sleep:  “His wife feels warm next to him. Will the faces return once he drifts off? The Tree Pruner begs his Maker to keep them away, but too many nights they reappear, hundreds of them, blinking before him one by one with their saddle-brown complexions” (86).  Through narration the author attempts to help the reader connect to the marine, and truly understand what he is feeling.

            I, however, believe that the audience, myself included, can never truly comprehend the horrors this man has seen, or the severity of the moral conflict he is experiences. This is made clear not only through the narration by the author, but the first person accounts included, that describe the horrors the Tree Pruner faced. Though the audience can not gage the true depth of these events, the author certainly does an excellent job of helping them see at least some of what the marine is going through.

            The article also includes a less prominent theme of faith, which I found very interesting. This man, who has seen horror that most cannot imagine, has every right to believe that there is no God. Yet he maintains his faith, constantly asking for forgiveness. I found his faith surprising at first, but then again, considering what he has been through, maybe it’s not to surprising at all.

IRB #1 My Life in France by Julia Child

The book I have chosen to read is titled My Life in France by Julia Child. This book is Child's autobiography, and chronicles her time spent in France, where she learned to cook and speak French. I first became interested in Julia Child in 7th grade, when I chose her for my "Hero" project, shortly after visiting her exhibit at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. I have also always loved learning about French culture. I take French, and hope to live in France someday, just as Child did. I hope by reading this novel I can learn more about how this fascinating woman transformed from someone who could neither speak French nor cook, to the Franco-American superstar chef we know today. I also hope to explore French culture through the lens of an American woman, who I can relate to.

How Doctors Die

“How Doctors Die” by Ken Murray

            “How Doctors Die” is a slightly morbid essay, and bears significant thematic resembance to the essay “The Good Short Life” by Dudley Clendinen. In the essay, physician Ken Murray discusses the care of patients who are very near death. He calls this care “futile care” because there is no chance in the patient making a recovery. While their life is prolonged, it is often in considerable pain and discomfort. Murray explains that because doctors see this pain and suffering, they often choose to forgo life-support and other medical procedures at the end of their life, reducing potential suffering as well as medical costs. Instead they accept their condition, and accept death.

            Murray, who has been a physician for over 25 years, has plenty of experiences to draw from. He is able to use exemplification to demonstrate the pain and suffering he sees, as to help the reader, assumedly an average person, understand the mindset of doctors. He describes one patient, a lawyer with diabetes and bad circulation who developed an infectious sore on her foot. Against Murray’s recommendation, she was ushered into surgery. Her wounds wouldn’t heal, causing her to have double amputations. She later died due to complications in a medical facility. Though measures were taken to try to save this woman’s life, her last moments were not happy ones.

            Murray also describes he cousin, Torch, who was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer. The cancer would need intense treatment, as Murray describes, “we  learned that with aggressive treatment of his condition, including three to five hospital visits a week for chemotherapy, he would live perhaps four months” (235). Instead Torch lives at home with his cousin, and his months were happy: “He had no serious pain, and remained high-spirited” (235). He died later, peacefully in his sleep.

            Through his well chosen examples, Murray is able to successfully explain his mindset on end-of-life care. Like Dudley Clendinen, he believes that quality trumps quantity, and is surprised that so many Americans choose to tell the doctors to do “everything they can”, even when life-saving efforts are futile. But, perhaps it is only human to cling to life, especially in the case of a loved one. Like Clendinen said in his essay “The Good Short Life” Americans don’t know how to talk about death. Maybe if we did we could be more accepting, and more people could live out their final days in peace.

"I cannot count the number of times fellow physicians have told me... 'Promise me if you find me like this that you'll kill me.' They mean it."  (232)

N.d. Photograph. The Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2009. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.

The Good Short Life

Dudley Clendinen was an American journalist and author, who wrote about a vareity of topics, including civil rights, aging in America, the New South etc. He has held the position of reporter and senior editor at several newspapers in the country, including the New York Times, for which he was a national correspondent and editorial writer. In “The Good Short Life”, he discusses his approaching death. In November of 2010, Clendinen was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, abbreviated ASL, but more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. As Clendinen describes his disease, “it is not a kind disease. The nerves and muscles pulse and twitch, and progressively, they die” (63). There is no known treatment or cure.

            What is striking about this essay is the tone. Clendinen knows he is going to die. He is so blunt and matter-of-fact about the subject. He jokingly refers to his disease as “Lou”, giving a chillingly friendly and jovial impression of his situation. He writes, “I am in fact prepared. This is not as hard for me as it is for others” (65). Clendinen has accepted the fact of his own death. Although he has the option to try to prolong his life with various medical procedures, he chooses not to. He argues that it is better to spend the remainder of ones life with friends and family, doing what one loves, rather than be uncomfortable and in the hospital

            In fact, towards the end of the essay Clendinen announces that he has choosen to commit suicide before his disease renders him speechless and immobile. He writes, “I found the way. Not a gun. A way that’s quiet and calm. Knowing that comforts me” (66).  Clendinen died late May of 2012, not by his own hand, but by Lou’s. In the words that he left behind his message is clear. In life, quality trumps quantity. Clendinen scolds Americans for being drawn towards quantity, because they are afraid of death. He call for a change in how we talk about and perceive death. Because being afraid of death is no way to really live.

Lou Gehrig, the disease's namesake.

N.d. Photograph. Time Magazine. Time, 17 Apr. 2010. Web. 8 Aug. 2013.

My Father/My Husband

“My Father/My Husband” by David J. Lawless

            David J. Lawless is an author and behavioral expert. In “My Father/My Husband” he describes his wife’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The essay is skillfully written almost exclusively in dialogue, allowing the reader to pick up subtleties from subtext. He actually doesn’t reveal to the reader his wife’s exact condition until midway through the essay, when he explains her ailments to a police officer she called in the middle of night, having mistaken her husband for an intruder. However the reader, being educated and aware of the effects of Alzheimer’s can infer that from the very beginning.

            Lawless also uses the rhetorical device of repetition in his dialogue. In the beginning of the narrative he and his wife are enjoying dinner: “‘Is my father coming for dinner?’ she aks./‘No.’ /‘Why not?’/‘Because your father died forty-six years ago.’ He has given this answer several times a day for the past two or three years” (193). The following evening they are having dinner and almost the exact same dialogue ensues: “‘Is my father coming to dinner?’ /‘No.’/ ‘Why not?’/ ‘Because your father died in 1964’” (197).  His wife often asks about her father, where they live, if they are married, if they have children. The repetition allows the reader to see the severity of her Alzheimer’s, but also the repeated tenderness and patience with which her husband replies. He answers her questions routinely.

            While Lawless successfully demonstrates to the reader the affects of Alzheimer’s and dementia on an aging mind, he is also able to accomplish so much more. This is not a story of illness, but one of love. With each interaction the reader can feel the tenderness with which Lawless answers and reassures his wife. For example when the reader reads, “‘I don’t remember. I don’t know what’s wrong. I don’t remember things.’ A tear runs down her cheek. She clings to him./ ‘I know. Don’t worry.’/ ‘I’m losing my memory.’/ ‘Don’t worry.’ He gives her a kiss.” (198) they can feel their heart breaking. Lawless has used dialogue and repetition to weave such a bittersweet narrative with a heartfelt message about love; it’s everlasting.

‘I don’t remember. I don’t know what’s wrong. I don’t remember things.’ A tear runs down her cheek. She clings to him.

 ‘I know. Don’t worry.’

 ‘I’m losing my memory.’

‘Don’t worry.’ He gives her a kiss.” (198)

N.d. Photograph. No Elder Abuse. Nursing Home & Elder Abuse Law Center. Web. 6 Aug. 2013.

Getting Schooled

Getting Schooled” by Garret Keizer

            Garret Keizer, critically claimed American author and essayist, has also taught English at a public high school in Orleans, Vermont. In, “Getting Schooled” Keizer describes his experience returning to teaching at a high school from which he had taken a fourteen-year hiatus. While Keizer describes his return as pleasant, he cannot deny that much has changed in the fourteen years he has been gone. Throughout the essay, Keizer explains to his readers, the average educated American familiar with the education system, these changes through the comparative rhetorical strategies.

            Keizer mainly communicates the differences between his past and present school experiences through the point-by-point comparative technique. In this fashion he introduces each point, and then recalls how it differs, or remains the same. However, Keizer’s essay does not make the reader “sea sick” as one might expect from an entire essay of point-by-point comparison. He also utilizes exemplification, adding length to each point, and making the differences clearer.

            For example, he notes that technology has been introduced into almost every aspect of learning, and is able to provide countless examples. He writes, “The library looks like a NASA control center… The proverbial dog who ate the homework is now a flash drive. Smoking in the boys’ room is now texting in the boys’ room…” (180). Technology has overwhelming changed school life. Keizer is able to effectively demonstrate this to his reader because, having seen the development of technology, can relate to these examples. Keizer also notes that teachers are more involved in giving kids extra help to succeed, and that students’ attitudes are changing as well.

            All in all, Keizer successfully contrasts past and present teaching experiences. Through point-by-point comparison and exemplification he creates a compelling narrative with interesting commentary on the “twenty-first century” school.  Students, he explains, have evolved into primarily social creatures, turning school into a “social democracy”. What this means for the teacher as an artisan, Keizer isn’t sure, but what he can say for sure is that “kids are kids”. That’s one thing that hasn’t change, and never will.

The twenty-first century classroom

N.d. Photograph. Edudemic. Edudemic, 30 Nov. 2011. Web. 4 Aug. 2013. <http://www.edudemic.com/2011/11/technology-transform/>.

Duh, Bor-ing

           Joseph Epstein is an essayist and short story writer. Epstein, who is currently a contributing editor at The Weekly Standard, has also been an editor of The American Scholar Magazine and a lecturer at Northwestern University.  In “Duh, Bor-ing”, Epstein attempts to explore and analyze the phenomenon of boredom. Written for the layperson, “Duh, Bor-ing” explains the differences between situational boredom and existential boredom. Situational boredom arises from tedious every day events, while existential boredom is caused by existence itself, and can \equated with depression (102-3). Epstein argues that boredom is at times inescapable, and that everyone suffers from it (102).

            Since everyone suffers from boredom, Epstein is able to use the rhetorical device of pathos, or connecting emotionally with the reader, in order to prove his point. Everyone can relate to being bored, as Epstein demonstrates by opening his essay writing, “Unrequited love, as Lorenz Hart instructed us, is a bore, but then so are a great many other things: old friends gone somewhat dotty from whom it is too late to disengage, the important social-science-based book of the month…” and goes on to list several boring items including “lengthy lists (like this one)”. Epstein is able to use humor, as well as countless examples to relate to the reader. Undoubtedly the reader has experienced at least one of the events or items on Epstein’s lengthy list, and can recall the feeling of boredom, which Epstein argues is a secondary emotion.  By having the reader recall the emotion, they are better able to understand it and its different forms (situational v. existential).

            Because of this emotional connection, the reader is left with a better understanding of boredom. Not only did he cite other scholarly articles on the subject, debating different points of view, he intertwined anecdotes from his own experiences with boredom, making the piece relatable.  The reader is left with an understanding of what causes boredom, and the interesting perspective that boredom could in fact be good for us. As Epstein explains, boredom “intensifies self-perception” (108), we need it to have a better understanding of who we are. We can never escape boredom, but as Epstein dramatically closes his essay: we need to “Live with it” (110).

Only boring people.... quote by Ruth Burke