TOW #7 "Scorpio Sun Sign" (article)

                In the article Scorpio Sun Sign, the author stresses the amount of determination, passion, and motivation people born under the sign of the scorpion exhibit. The range of the Zodiac sign, Scorpio reaches from October 23 to November 21. The author compares traits of the actual scorpion insect with human traits of the people who fall under this sign. An example being that “they have tremendous regenerative powers, much like the literal Scorpion can lose its tail and promptly grow a new one.” This translates as the human Scorpio-born‘s ability to persevere and pick themselves back up when they get knocked down. When explaining the significance and meanings behind the planets that rule over Scorpios, the author uses strong descriptive words to reflect the intensity of the water sign. This text does an exceptional job of explaining the Scorpio and its positive aspects. There are not many negative traits illustrated throughout the article. The choice to stick with the strengths was a good one. Who would want to read all about their flaws? Maybe another day it would interest the reader once they know all of the positive aspects they show. The only way to be sure what the author states is valid information is to connect it to real life experiences. Most Zodiac information is based on observation, so observation is the only way to verify for oneself.

TOW #6 "Independent on Sunday" (political cartoon)

                In the 2013 political cartoon below, Peter Schrank addresses the development of a Twitter button to “report abuse” a user might be facing. This is occurring mainly due to the multiple “rape and death threats to historian Mary Beard, British feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez, and the British MP Stella Creasy,” that year. Depicted in the cartoon, is a woman sitting on a bench on her phone. Surrounding her are numerous little blue “twitter” birds looking rather maliciously at her. One even seems to be pooping on her head. Although most of them represent the abusive messages that can be found on Twitter, some of them look like ordinary birds to show that not all tweets are offensive. In addition, down at the bottom of the image, next to his signature, Schrank writes “with apologies to Alfred Hitchcock.” This adds a little humor to it since the scene is similar to one someone might have seen in his movie The Birds. Even the woman on the bench looks strikingly similar to the character in the movie, Melanie Daniels. That little allusion could earn a snicker or two from anyone who could catch the reference. I think that could also mean something in relation to the people receiving these abusive tweets. Since in the movie, everyone is steadily being bombarded by birds just like it may feel getting nasty words thrown at you over the internet on more than one occasion.

TOW #5 (the real one) "Man Uses Weekend To Make Totally Different Mistakes Than He Did During Workweek" (article)

                The Onion writes about a sales representative named Sam Roslindale. He told reporters that he spends his weekend making different mistakes than he does during the week. During the workweek, he messes up on things like sales goals. During the weekend, he tends “to drink too much, yell at [his] wife for no reason, and let [his] daughter down. Then, come Monday, [he’ll] be ready to resume destroying [his] career all over again.” The way The Onion describes this, makes it seem as though this is an average thing everyone does. Though, since it is satire, it is known that they are clearly bashing Roslindale for his mistakes. One does not simply ruin their job on weekdays, then ruin their relationships on the weekends, then repeat. The word choice used makes it humorous because the way it seems, is like this is an actual article about a news event that is positive. 

TOW #5 "Love is a Mix Tape" (IRB-1st half)

                Rob Sheffield loves music. In Love is a Mix Tape he tells a partial story of his life through songs he loves and hates. Specifically music that was around at the time of mix tapes. Before playlists, before CDs, there were tapes. He also goes through a few reasons to make and/or receive mix tapes. He talks about choosing the right music for the right occasions the same way an English teacher would speak of using the right words at the right time. He wants people to understand that music, as a thing to share, is a great way to make or break connections with others. Music is also a very good way of telling a story, or explaining things you might not be able to put into words all the time. Music can make someone feel what the artist wants him or her to like its own brand of pathos. If used correctly, the story that comes along with it will make more sense as well. Sheffield definitely uses this to his advantage. He should, as he has enough experience with it being a Rolling Stone editor and a music geek. In the end it is clear music has played, and will continue to play a big part in the life of Rob Sheffield and many more.

TOW #4 "In a Planet-or-Not Debate" (article)

                On National Geographic’s website, Nadia Drake elaborates upon the ongoing controversy of whether or not Pluto is a planet. She unearths information about the ancient Greek as well as the thoughts of modern scientists. It is obvious that Drake did her research on the topic at hand. Pathos is not present in the article as much as ethos and logos. The large amount of logic used is greatly effective and needed since the topic is a science-based debate. In the text, Drake mentions an audience in Cambridge, Massachusetts came to an agreement that Pluto was in fact a planet. The audience included teachers, the public, and scientists. This appeals to logos because there is a diverse group of backgrounds that made that decision. In addition, that the only time Pluto was decided not a planet was when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted on it. They declared it a dwarf planet, which is not even a planet at all. This is probably the strongest pathos shown. It makes the audience think, “Well, is everyone else thinks it is but the IAU, why are we only listening to them?” Most likely because the IAU has the automatic credibility the public lacks. Drake makes sure to portray both ends of the spectrum. Noting that in the end, it all comes down to what the definition of planet is at the time. The definition always changes, Drake mentions back when the sun fit the definition and Earth did not. The logos is definitely the strongest part of the article.

TOW #3 "Unpaid Tobacco Spokesperson Response" (visual advertisement)

                The truth® campaign is not just another anti-smoking organization. They advertise facts about big tobacco companies, and the problems that can come with tobacco consumption. We only have to make a choice about what to do with that information.  In this specific ad, they are responding to backlash they may have gotten for a previous one. In the original ad, they showed images of celebrities smoking stating that these images bring free advertisement for big tobacco companies. In the response ad, they clarify the fact that they are not against these celebrities. Truth® simply wants people who are active on social media to think before posting smoking selfies. Since they use images of influential people smoking, it increases their logos and/or pathos because people will recognize them. Celebrities like Robert Pattinson, Rihanna, and the like are bound to get a reaction. Truth® provides objective information for the people to come to a subjective conclusion. Their main target: Millennials. They think that young people who are most active on social media to be able to change the world. The slogan they use currently is “Finish it,” meaning they believe us 1980-2000 babies could be the generation to end smoking, depending on how we digest the information they publicize. I think their ads are more effective than ordinary anti-smoking campaigns because they are not trying to force an opinion on us. They give us a choice. We feel empowered knowing that we are the ones making a difference based on our choices. Us Millennials do not want to be lectured about all the horrible things tobacco does to the human body. Especially from generations who have done nothing about the issue anyhow. We are stubborn teenagers and young adults who think we know all. Give us choices and we will think. Some may brush it off, but I think most will make the right decision.

TOW #2 IRB Introduction

                For my first Independent Reading Book this school year, I chose to read Love is a Mix Tape written by Rolling Stone editor Rob Sheffield. He reflects on his time with a woman named Renée, and how music brought together their two, very different, personas. From the point I am at in the novel, I cannot be certain if Renée left Sheffield, or left the world. What I do know is that either way, she left their mix tapes with him. This is the real reason I was drawn to this book. The music. I am not someone who is interested in reading stories about love and happy memories like that. However, I can get interested it if it comes with a great soundtrack. I had noticed when skimming along the pages that I not only recognized quite a few of the songs and artists Sheffield mentions, but I actually enjoy listening most of them myself. Songs by David Bowie, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana come up often. I always can appreciate a music taste so near my own, along with the new songs that are just now gracing my ears even though some have been around longer than I have. So when I say new, I mean new to me. I think the use of the songs brings more feeling to the memoir as well as connecting with the readers on a musical—and emotional level. Any 90s alternative music fan would understand.