TOW #14: Into Thin Air (IRB)

I recently started reading Into Thin Air, written by Jon Krakauer. The book is a nonfictional memoir of the disasters Jon Krakauer endured while climbing Mount Everest. Jon Krakauer was hired by a magazine to write about Mount Everest, but instead decided that he wanted to climb it himself. The book goes into detail about the complications and disasters he experienced throughout his journey. Jon Krakauer uses imagery and tone to allow the reader to envision his journey even more vividly. An example of his use of imagery is: "They helped outsiders find their way into the sanctuary and violate every limb of her body by standing on top of her, crowing in victory, and dirtying and polluting her bosom." This made me able to visualize himself climbing up the mountain, and referring to the mountain as a person, which I also found to be very effective. When Jon refers to Mount Everest as "her" it puts a new perspective on my personal view of the mountain. While reading, I no longer think of the mountain as just a pile of snow and rocks, I view it as a person with a temper and a person with feelings, which Jon further explains in the text. Overall, I think his imagery and tone is fully effective and further aids with the detailing and explaining of his journey.

Rhetorical Devices:

Imagery

Tone

Voice

Personification 

TOW #13: Why the Pope and Obama Turn to Twitter (Article)

Why the Pope and Obama Turn to Twitter:
 http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/opinion/patel-twitter-growth/index.html?hpt=op_t1

This article is about how government officials and important figures in society, such as the Pope, use twitter to constitute their ideas, talk to their "fans," and, in cases such as Obama's election, campaign. The author of the article, Nilay Patel, uses his opinion as well as evidence to back up his claim. He claims that the Internet and Twitter have revived society, making it easier for everyone to know what other people are doing. He questions the dangers of political officials utilizing Twitter because of mistakes in the past (for example, Anthony Weiner) that can completely destroy a persons career. He uses ethos, showing that he is an educated citizen that has obviously done research into the topic of Social Media. He uses diction carefully to make his argument understandable to people of all ages. The younger generation knows much about twitter, whereas the older generation may not. He fully explains what Twitter is, allowing the audience to understand his point of view.
Also, he claims that Twitter is used as a way for Obama and the Pope to make money. Most companies and franchises have Twitter accounts, so it is an easy way for those of higher status to promote products. He also addresses the drama that comes from the President and Pope having a Twitter, because not everyone supports them.



Rhetorical Devices:
Ethos
Diction
Tone

TOW #12: Political Cartoon (Visual Text)

Obama/Romney Political Cartoon

I found this cartoon to be interesting because unlike all of the other cartoons on MSNBC.com, it is not clear who the cartoonist is praising. All of the other cartoons showed either Mitt Romney or Barrack Obama individually, but never showed them together. As a rhetorical device, I think that putting the (former) candidate Mitt Romney and the President Elect, Barrack Obama together was effective. The quote in the speech bubble states "Sadly, they aren't even replacement refs...!" referring to the September 2012 issue regarding replacement referees in the NFL. The speech bubble indicates that the refs can't do anything over the two fighting. As a rhetorical device, I think that the color-choice was effective by using red pants for Mitt Romney (republican: red) and blue pants for Barrack Obama (democrat: blue). Although this cartoon displays the message that everyone is watching the candidates, including the media which goes back and forth "reffing" between the two candidates, the author didn't bring their own political view in to it thus causing the audience to have room for interpretation. The fact that the football players are fighting over the "facts" shows that each candidate has altered facts in someway, and each is claiming that they are correct and the other is not. This is also effective to the audience because it allows them to believe what they want to believe, not just what is being told to them. The cartoonist, Nate Beeler for the Columbus Dispatch, did a good job at conveying his message to the audience.

Rhetorical Devices:

Color

Diction

Opinion