TOW #11: Running With Scissors (IRB)

Running With Scissors (IRB):

I recently started reading Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. The book is a memoir written through his perspective when he was a child. Augusten has a mother who is mentally unstable, so he lives with his mothers psychiatrist. The psychiatrists family is disorganized and often times deeply disturbing, which is why I find this book to be so interesting. The author uses point of view, tone, voice, and imagery to add to his memoir. I found the imagery to be the most developed rhetorical device because, when reading the story, I can visualize everything that is going on in Augusten's life. For example, the imagery he used to describe his mother made it obvious to the reader how crazy she actually was. Augusten states, "My mother began to go crazy. Not in a 'Let's paint the kitchen red!' sort of way. But crazy in a 'gas oven, toothpaste sandwich, I am God' sort of way." I found his detail and description allowed the reader to understand his situation to a better extent, given that the situation he's in is completely abnormal. He also uses tone to show his perspective, which I also found to be really useful. It's obvious to the reader how he feels about the situation he is in, and it's obvious how he feels about the characters in the book. One of the most important relationships in the book is between himself and his mother, and I think his tone as well as imagery shows the reader the instability of their relationship. 

Rhetorical Devices:
Point of view
Tone
Voice
Imagery

TOW #10: Florida Teen Gets A Year in Jail for Impersonating A Health Worker

Florida Teen Gets A Year in Jail for Impersonating A Health Worker

An 18-year-old boy, living in Florida, has been charged with four accounts of impersonation. He is sentenced to one year in jail, one year on house arrest, and eight years of probation. Matthew Scheidt, the perpetrator, apparently gave a patient in the hospital CPR when the patient was suffering from a drug overdose. Aside from the hospital, Matthew Scheidt was also charged with impersonating a police officer, a year after his conviction of impersonating a doctor. The article focuses mostly on the testimony and interrogation of Matthew Scheidt, and doesn't mention the opposing side. I think that this was effective because it allows the reader to make their own decision as to whether or not Scheidt deserves his sentence. The authors diction and tone also allowed readers to understand the story behind Scheidt's convictions. Also, similar to Alice Walkers "Everyday Use" that we read in class, the author effectively described sequence of events. The author mentioned his impersonation of a police officer from a previous year after mentioning that he was being charged with impersonation of a health worker. I thought this was effective because it further provides evidence to support the sentence Scheidt was given.

Rhetorical Devices:

Diction

Tone

Sequence 

TOW #9: Pepsi One Direction Commercial

Pepsi One Direction Commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdFHlMobwzQ

I saw this commercial two days ago on television. Obviously the main focus is for the audience to buy Pepsi, but it does so in a way that I thought was very interesting. In the past, Pepsi used Britney Spears as a spokesperson to appeal to the younger generation. Although Britney Spears accomplished the goal of appealing to the younger generation, in this commercial, One Direction appeals to the younger generation, while also using Drew Brees to appeal to sports fans, specifically men. I think that the use of appeals in this commercial was the most important rhetorical device used because it applied to multiple groups of people instead of just one group of people.
Another device used was marketing/popularity. Pepsi made it seem as though everyone wanted to drink their product, which conveys to the audience that it's the best drink to choose. The commercial conveys that One Direction and Drew Brees drink Pepsi, which means that the audience should as well.


Rhetorical Devices:
Appeals

TOW #8: How Do You Kill 11 Million People?: Why the Truth Matters More Than You Think (IRB)

How Do You Kill 11 Million People?: Why the Truth Matters More Than You Think

     I just started reading "How Do You Kill 11 Million People?" by Andy Andrews, and it is so intriguing already. Although it's really short, it covers so much information and makes you think about the course of history. World War II and the holocaust is something kids learn about every year in school. Students have always learned this from the perspective of a history textbook, not necessarily the psychology perspective. The book is full of parallel structure, juxtaposition, and, most importantly, I think he uses appeals and the argument of both sides to completely convey his message to his readers. What I found so interesting about this book is that it goes much deeper than the holocaust. It talks about how there are over 100 million registered voters, but less than half actually vote in an election. Andy Andrews includes his perspective on the future of America and why backing away from the terms "democrat" and "republican" is essential in stepping forward as a country. 

      The use of parallel structure is effective because he repeats himself often, but not in a way that gets bothersome. His words stay in your head, and I think, as a writer, that is something that is very important. His messaged stayed with me, and I'm sure it stayed with others who read this book as well. His use of juxtaposition/comparison also allows readers to see two completely different viewpoints, but then find a common ground for both of them. Overall, I think Andy Andrews used rhetoric flawlessly. 

Rhetorical Devices:

Juxtaposition

Comparison

Appeals

Parallel Structure