Tow #13 (Visual Text)- Back Cover of Disney Movie VHS Case/ Sleeping Beauty/ Walt Disney Home Video

Disney movies are classics because they remind many of their childhoods and are fun, family-friendly entertainment. Even in the 1950's, when Disney was a new company and had entered the film-making business recently, it was praised for its beautiful and adventurous films. The description on the back of the "Sleeping Beauty" VHS movie uses allusions and imagery to convince readers that "Sleeping Beauty" is another movie that will soon become a classic for all (which it has). Disney uses these rhetorical devices to appeal to pathos and make their movie connectable to their audience. Right from the start, the name Walt Disney alludes to some of Disney's very first films- "Cinderella" and  "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", which were already on the way to becoming classics at the time. There are also allusions to Tchaikovsky when the description starts to talk about the music and character in "Sleeping Beauty". Alluding to famous movies and composers adds to the "magic" of the movie and connecting to more ideas of love. Tchaikovsky is famous for being an extremely dramatic composer from the Romantic Era of music and this reference to the composer of the "Nutcracker" adds drama and extra romance to the already traditional fairy tale. Disney also uses diction to create imagery of the movie before its audience even watches it. Words like "timeless", "masterpiece", "delightful", "enchanted", and "cherished" have positive connotations and help people to envision magic and classic fairy tales. The movie seems appealing, despite the fact that it could actually be quite scary for little kids due to Maleficent (and therefore, not family-friendly). The imagery also adds adventure to the movie's description, showing people that Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" is more than a traditional European folk tale. In fact, the success Disney had in marketing "Sleeping Beauty" is very similar to the marketing they use in their modern movies, but instead the classics include "Sleeping Beauty". Disney uses its description of "Sleeping Beauty" as reasoning for why "Sleeping Beauty" deserves to be part of a family's "video collection" and solidifies why Disney movies in general should be collected and celebrated be families for generations to come.

http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/Sleeping_Beauty.jpg

Tow #12- IRB/ "The Telling Room: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World's Greatest Piece of Cheese"/ Paterniti

When we put our minds to something, great things can be accomplished. When something is on our mind, great things are imagined. This idea is the basis for The Telling Room,a memoir by Michael Paterniti. Paterniti, a writer curious about a rare Spanish cheese called Paramo de Guzman, decides to visit Spain with his wife, young son, and friends. In a desperate search for the cheese, Paterniti and his friend end up in Guzman, a small, sleepy village home to the family the used to make the cheese. Paterniti speaks with Ambrosio, the cheese maker, and learns about the village's history through visiting Ambrosio's "Telling Room". The village's "telling rooms" have been dug into the caves in the surrounding hills and are common place to the villagers to bond and share stories.

Paterniti weaves the majority of his story through personal anecdotes and examples. His memories of how he discovered Paramo de Guzman and his brief history of Ambrosio and family provide necessary context to the story that is both interesting and appeals to pathos in readers. This pathos helps readers to connect to Paterniti and become involved in the story. His anecdotes and appeals to pathos also add credibility and appeals to ethos. They are a testament to Paterniti as a writer and show the skill that made him famous for both his books, The Telling Room and Driving Mr. Albert. The appeals to ethos are made through powerful diction as well, which helps to add imagery and characterization to his story. Imagery and characterization in this book resemble that of many fiction books, which probably makes the book more appealing to younger readers like myself. Overall though, Paterniti uses humor to tie his appeals to pathos and ethos and imagery, diction and characterization together. It takes elements of great stories, novels and articles and blends them together to make a memoir; both fact and fiction-like story together as one.

Guzman Spain. N.d. Photograph. Longfrom. Longform. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.

Tow #11- New York Times Article/ "Paula Deen's Cook Tells of Slights, Steeped in History"/ Kim Severson

For many, southern food is comfort food, and comfort is family. And in most cases, true family is not based on physical appearances or blood. It's the people you love and love to spend time with. For Dora Charles, a friend and cook for ex- Food Network star and legendary chef Paula Deen, this definition of family was not a complete reality. Deen may have treated Charles in a friendly way, made promises to her, or even called Charles her "soul sister", but there was no true family or true comfort involved. In her New York Times article, Kim Severson appeals to pathos and logos to convince readers of Deen's bad character and prove that her new notoriety is well-deserved.

Severson establishes pathos through examples of how Deen treated Charles. By telling readers that Paula Deen asked Dora Charles to wave a bell outside the restaurant as "a symbol of what we used to do back in the day", readers begin to pity Dora and others for the harsh things they were asked to do. Severson also works to convince readers that Paula Deen is unfaithful and breaks promises, another appeal to pathos, through quotes by Deen, Charles, other employees who work for Deen, and outside, professional figures. Deen apparently told Dora that "one day if I get rich, you'll get rich". Examples like these also tie to logos, because they are word-for-word factual accounts of Deen's wrong-doings. Many employees at Deen's restaurant "Lady and Sons" remember and testify that Deen asked another employee, Mrs. Jones, to dress as Aunt Jemima in order to gain more business. This factual appeal helps to portray Deen as unkind and deceitful, because the average Deen fan who watches the Food Network would not have expected her to act this way on tv.

Severson's use of examples to appeal to logos and pathos ruins Deen's credibility and personal appeal to ethos in society. She uses the appeals to prove that Paula Deen deserves to be remembered more as a villain than as a legendary star. The examples also convince readers, on a larger scale, that things are not always as they seem.

Severson, Kim. "Paula Deen's Cook Tells of Slights, Steeped in History." New York Times. New York Times Newspaper, 24 July 2013. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

Tow #10- Wall Street Journal Article/ "Typhoon Haiyan: How a Catastrophe Unfolded"/ Te-Ping Chen, James T. Areddy, and James Hookway

When a situation sounds desperate, many times, people prepare for the worst. But what happens when the situation really is terrible and most people aren't concerned? Such a problem occurred in the Philippines with the arrival of Typhoon Haiyan and the catastrophic results afterwards. The majority of people in Tacloban, Philippines weren't bothered by the threat of a storm; it seemed like any other storm, one of many they get each year. Those who did prep didn't prep enough... and the storm changed from a dangerous inconvenience to a disaster. Writers Te-Ping Chen, James T. Areddy, and James Hookway masterfully use imagery and exemplification to illustrate the scale of the catastrophe that happened in Tacloban and appeal to an educated, concerned audience by filling in missing details about preparations for the devastating typhoon.

The authors' use of imagery really puts in place the setting of the article and helps to explain why the typhoon was such a problem. By describing Tacloban as a "city on the rise", readers can imagine what would happen if a large storm hit a city like NYC or Philadelphia, and therefore have a more familiar picture of the catastrophe in their minds. The imagery also sets up the enormity of the storm and its effects, creating sympathy in the reader. The authors' audience is more involved in the story now that they are more knowledgeable about the Philippines and preparations for the storm. The news of the typhoon is more personal to Americans if they can picture what happened, since events in the Philippines are sometimes very different from events in America.

The authors' included many examples in their article as well. These examples range from short explanatory captions on main "characters" in the article to quotes from people who prepared for the storm and struggled with what to do after the storm hit. This exemplification provides evidence for readers that backs up the claims the authors' are making and the descriptions they present about the Philippines. Real life examples make the story more connectable and personal that just a news report; they, along with imagery, make the article worth reading out of many in the Wall Street Journal.

Chen, Te-Ping, James T. Areddy, and James Hookway. "Typhoon Haiyan: How a Catastrophe Unfolded." Wall Street Journal Online. The Wall Street Journal Newspaper, 24 Nov. 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

Tow #9 (Visual Text)- Bath and Body Works Lotion Bottle/ "P.S. I Love You" Scent/ Bath and Body Works

In some cases, love is associated with luxury. The same idea goes for the statement “Money can’t buy happiness” because whether or not it’s true, it can apply to things that we buy that make us feel happy, make us feel luxurious, make us feel loved. The Bath and Body Works bath and fragrance line thrives off of this idea, and uses it to sell their products. One of their Signature Collection scents, named “P.S. I Love You” employs powerful diction and appeals to logos in order to sell. Words like “nourishing”, “enriching” “soothe”, “protective”, and “conditioned” make the potential buyer feel like the lotion will be healing and relaxing in a safe way. The lotion also seems beneficial through other phrases like “moisture barrier to rough, irritated hands and cuticles”, “leaving hands feeling soft”, and “soothe dryness”. These appeals to logos directly state what the lotion should be able to do and explains why through its diction.

The description of the lotion’s scent also appeals and uses powerful diction to sell itself. By being described as a “modern, unforgettable fragrance that is inspired by the many beautiful ways to love and be loved”, the lotion connects to the potential buyers emotions, appealing to pathos. The lotion mainly targets a female audience who enjoys relaxing and feeling luxurious. Its emotional appeal calls out to women more than men and is meant to make them feel nostalgic or remind them of good times centered on love. The store is known for being luxurious (sometimes considered expensive) and for being seasonal, another appeal to pathos and the emotions of different times. The lotion probably sells best around Valentine’s Day and is seems very effective in sending its message, due to the success of Bath and Body Works as a store and the fact that the lotion is part of a Signature Collection. 

IRB #2 Introduction Post

"The Telling Room: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World's Greatest Piece of Cheese"

By Michael Paterniti

This book is about how author Michael Paterniti's life was changed by a story he heard. While on a trip to Guzmán, Spain in 2000, Paterniti visited a limestone cave called the "Telling Room" and heard a fascinating tale about a mystical piece of cheese. Afterwards, he and his family move to Spain and Paterniti continues to look into the story, finding out that it is also connected with a mysterious murder plot based on betrayal and revenge. He learns the secrets of the village people and starts to live by their ways. The book is a mystery and a memoir detailing Paterniti's experience and the stories of others. 

I chose this IRB because I love mysteries; they are probably my favorite genre. But the IRB had to be a nonfiction book, and I got interested in memoirs while looking for a new IRB. My first IRB, 1491, was based on historical fact and theory, and I wanted to go i different route entirely while still keeping the topic somewhat related to history (another one of my favorite things). Originally when looking for a book though, I found one of Paterniti's other books, Driving Mr. Albert, and became interested in that. Then, on Amazon.com, I was looking at others and found The Telling Room.It involves another one of my favorite things, food, and any book that combines mystery, food, and history has to be good, in my opinion. 

Tow #8- IRB/ "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus"/ Charles C. Mann

Keeping up with his purpose, Mann continues to provide examples against stereotypes throughout the rest of the book. However, as the real facts of Native American life come out, "1491" becomes a bit more theoretical. Through the continued use of quotes, Mann employs his authority as a historian to his argument and analysis. He includes the theories and beliefs of others, on both sides of his argument, but rarely shows any opinion or bias indicating what he thinks really happened to the natives before Columbus. The book turns much more serious and evidence-based as it moves into the 2nd and 3rd parts, away from the earlier introduction/background-information chapters. Mann also applies many visual texts to his analysis. "1491" blends maps, graphs, charts, and historical photographs with its story seemingly as a way to provide evidence and examples, or just to reinforce ideas in an interesting way. For information he deems as extra or especially controversial, Mann uses footnotes. He relies on footnotes from the beginning to the end of the book, making “1491” seem somewhat disorganized, as if he forgot to mention many things. On a more positive note, though, it makes the tone more relaxed, even more unprofessional (but in a good way), so they book does not suddenly transform into a textbook on Native Americans. Another thing Mann is very skilled at rhetorically is continuing to reference his rhetorical questions and the myths/stereotypes that are his counterargument. This questioning and counterargument maintain the book’s awareness of other theories, keeping “1491” credible, and more importantly quotable. The purpose, to educate readers about true Native American history, seems to have a further purpose besides refuting myths and stereotypes: it analyzes arguments that are becoming more popular among historians, and could be taught in school in the future. Overall, as a non-fiction piece of literature, however, it continues to be factual and present Mann’s argument in the best, most believable light.  

Mann, Charles C. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus. 2nd ed. New York: Knopf, 2005. Print.

Tow #7- The Telegraph Article/ "'Yeti Lives'- An Abominable Snowman is part polar bear and still roams the Himalayas"/ Jasper Copping

Nearly as famous as the grandeur of Mt. Everest is the notorious creature said to live there, the Yeti. People have claimed to see it for decades, and new "evidence" pops up all of the time. However, the most people are skeptics; they won't believe such a monster could exist without legitimate proof. Luckily for them, writer Jasper Copping explains the scientific discovery of English professor Bryan Sykes with actual evidence. According to his recent findings, the Yeti could be a hybrid of a typical brown bear and the polar bear; the tested material comes from mummified “Yeti remains” and “yeti hair” that was found, and was apparently a 100 percent match to the polar bear and brown bear DNA. Copping gives a brief background on the Yeti that provides a juxtaposition of ridiculous Yeti sightings and myths and Sykes’ professional comparison of ancient polar and supposed Yeti DNA. He also appeals to logos through the use of dates, measurements, and other statistics. Copping’s compilation of Yeti evidence serves to reassure believers of the Yeti’s existence as well as to collect information for skeptics. It also takes on the role of entertaining readers because of its placement in the Telegraph Newspaper, in the “Weird News” section. This article is successful in its attempt to influence readers and entertain because it makes readers think. It also employs exemplification of the Yeti’s existence because of other, quoted accounts of Yeti sightings/evidence. Both the author of the article and the professor (who may have found a breakthrough in Yeti genetics) are credible and well-experienced, and therefore, their appeals to ethos though exemplification and the author’s diction make the article more powerful when it comes to achieving its purpose. Whether or not the Yeti really does exist, the article is informational and scholarly, without feeling weighted or fake. 

Copping, Jasper. "Yeti Lives': Abominable Snowman Is 'part Polar Bear and Still Roams the Himalayas'" The Telegraph. The Telegraph Newspaper, 17 Oct. 2013. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.

N.d. Photograph. Build Your Own Yeti. Web. 27 Oct. 2013.

TOW #6- PC World Magazine Article/ "The 21 Worst Tech Habits, and How to Break Them"/ Christopher Null

Without technology, the world would be stuck in the 20th century. It clearly has its benefits, but unfortunately, it also has its downsides. The PC World magazine feature, “The 21 Worst Tech Habits, and How to Break Them” brings to attention the idea that as good as technology is, it can still be conductive to bad habits.

Christopher Null, an author and film critic, adds his experience to the feature through the use of exemplification. He details easy fixes to each habit and explains what could happen as an effect of the “worst habits”, therefore also including the strategy of cause and effect. Humor is another important strategy applied to this piece. Null tends to use a harsher-toned humor, similar to sarcasm when he gives examples of bad habits. However, this sarcasm can be difficult to understand if one doesn’t understand the vocabulary Null is using. The use of technology-related jargon and educated diction makes the author all the more an authority on his subject, but would be hard for children to understand. Consequently, the article seems to be directed towards either “technology-savvy” people, professionals, or average American citizens who are very in touch with new tech. gadgetry. The feature provides opportunities for more information when it emphasizes links to websites and photographs/illustrations, appealing to visual learners and/or just plain magazine lovers. But through it all, the article stays true to its motto- it is written for a “PC World”, with technology in mind at all times.

Another wonderful thing about the feature is that though it’s informational, it is presented in an easy-to-read, interesting list format. It causes readers to want to check out their own habits as they read the article, but is still reassuring that such habits can be fixed or improved. The feature artfully showcases the worst habits, their effects, and their solutions in a way that could start to help non- “tech savvy” people understand technology, and start to live a lifestyle that incorporates it.

"Christopher Null." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Aug. 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2013.

N.d. Photograph. Boy Genius Report Blog. Wordpress. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. 

Tow #5 (Visual Text)- Norwegian Cruise Line Advertisement/"Experience Amazing. Cruise Like A Norwegian"/Norwegian Cruise Line

By definition, a vacation means "freedom or release from duty, business... usually used for rest, recreation, or travel..." (Dictionary.com). But according to Norwegian Cruise Line, vacations don't have to be average; they can help people "experience amazing”. In this advertisement, the company introduces two of their ships, the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Breakaway. Their descriptions are embellished by luxurious diction and vivid imagery that attempt to persuade readers that a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation is unique, an “experience”. The pictures in the advertisement also seem to be trying to convince the reader that the cruise ships are destinations, tropical paradises that “bring the best of NYC to sea” and “the sizzle of Miami”. Each ship is represented with stereotypical images from their port town acting as candles on top of a cake, the Getaway with the Miami skyline and the Breakaway with the New York City skyline. Whether it was intentional or not, the allusion to candles on a cake helps to enforce the idea that a cruise vacation is like a fun party. The company also plays up their best features by mentioning “lightning-fast waterslides”, “the hottest theatre and musical entertainment”, and “27 dining options”, including a restaurant by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. This advertisement seems geared towards parents (it can be found in Martha Stewart Living magazine). It works to compete with other cruise lines by mentioning what it means to be on one of their cruises, connecting to their slogan (“Cruise like a Norwegian”). They make their cruises seem flexible to any schedule by simply saying that planning can be done through an easy phone call or visit to their website. The easygoing, fun tone (displayed by the vibrant colors and funny, almost whimsical photos) is present throughout the whole advertisement and helps the company to compete well with other companies by catching their readers’ attentions and promising to be different from other American cruise lines, to “cruise like a Norwegian”.

Norwegian Cruise Lines. Advertisement. Martha Stewart Living Aug. 2013: 10. Print.

TOW #4- IRB/ "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus"/ Charles C. Mann

In most history textbooks, Native Americans have been stereotyped wrongly. Even their other name, "Indians" incorrectly labeled them and has stuck with them since Columbus first landed in the West Indies. 1491: New Revolutions of the Americas Before Columbus is an in-depth history of "the true story of the natives in America before Columbus" by Charles C. Mann, magazine correspondent, awarded author, and National Magazine Award finalist. It focuses on the real facts of Native American life, things that are not well-known by most people or omitted completely from textbooks (i.e. Was Plymouth really built directly on top of a Wampanoag village? Did Native American tribes just simply vanish from the Americas prior to the arrival of Europeans, or were Europeans involved? ). Mann attempts to portray how much the average person assumes about the Native Americans and how much they “know” really comes from fact. To do this, he artfully and successfully compares and contrasts the history of the Americas found in textbooks with new facts, statistics and observations that historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists have uncovered recently about Native American society. For example, he brings the famous “friendly Indian”, Sqaunto, from childhood Thanksgiving tales and instead describes him as Tisquantum, a Wampanoag guard who learned English while in captivity. He appeals to logos and ethos through exemplification and stories of his own travels, adding to the professionalism of his book and making it more interesting than other non-fiction, which can sometimes very dry and bland to read. Mann gears his writing toward a mature audience comprised of scholars, historians, and those who are just interested in history. The language he uses is appropriate for both teenagers and adults due to powerful but understandable diction. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus is enlightening and non-stereotypical, categorizing Native Americans as they should be categorized- as advanced, intelligent human beings. 

TOW #3- The Washington Post Article/ "Pearls Before Breakfast"/ Gene Weingarten

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". As unfortunate as it is, the human race is a materialistic species. People value what they consider beautiful, and if it doesn't meet their expectations, they pay no attention to it. This idea was expertly applied in in January 2007 when The Washington Post decided to do a psychological experiment: Get famous violinist Joshua Bell to play six of the most complicated classical pieces ever written (including Bach’s Chaconne and Schubert’s Ave Maria), on a Stradivari violin from 1713, while wearing street-clothes in a Washington D.C. metro station, and see if anyone will stop to listen.

After 45 minutes of playing, Bell only made $32 (from 27 people) and caught the attention of only 7 who were willing to stop and take notice. This is surprising because, in general, tickets to Bell’s performances cost hundreds of dollars. Experienced Washington Post reporter/columnist Gene Weingarten expertly uses exemplification and testimonies to appeal to ethos and pathos in the text, and convince readers that though “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, people shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover”. Through quotes from Joshua Bell, passerby, and acclaimed composers, Weingarten establishes both the difficulty of the music Bell was playing and Bell’s credibility as a musician. The examples he uses make Bell seem like an authority in his field, and also signify how monumental the social experiment was emotionally for the child-prodigy; why it was so sad that more people ignored Bell than praised him. The vocabulary Weingarten includes also adds to the curious mood of the article and the vivid imagery of the articles examples and anecdotes. The author portrays nearly every character in his article favorably and makes the events of this psychological study meaningful to readers, whether they are fans of classical music or not. “Pearls Before Breakfast” attempts to make readers more culturally aware and give them an eye for “real beauty”. 

The Man with the Violin. 2007. Photograph. Washington D.C. Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel. By Barbara Weibel. Barbara Weibel, 12 Sept. 2009. Web. 29 Sept. 2013.

TOW #2 (Visual Text)- Pepperidge Farm Advertisement/ "Raisin cinnamon Swirl Bread"/ Pepperidge Farm, Inc.

 The well-known saying, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" is often used by parents who try to get their families to eat nutritious, filling breakfasts. Pepperidge Farm supports and thrives off of this idea, weaves this mentality into every aspect of the advertisement above, with the intention that parents will make Pepperidge Farm products a part of their families’ meals. The founder, Margaret Rudkin, started the business in the 1930’s after developing natural recipes that did not give her son allergies. Today, the company continues to use nutritious ingredients and bake Rudkin’s bread with “lots of love”. This “love” is apparent through the heart in the center of the slice of toast and vocabulary included in the advertisement. The fact that Pepperidge Farm says “We’re Bakers. But we’re also parents, too” appeals to pathos and attempts to invoke emotion in anyone who see the advertisement.

But Pepperidge Farm uses more than just this hook to attract people to their advertisement. The company plays with its readers’ senses by using colorful, comfortable pictures that intend to remind people of home. Even the company’s slogan, “Good is in the details”, works with the pictures and hook to create feelings of nostalgia for comfort foods. Pepperidge Farm believes that their product is good, and attempts to make their family-friendly audience think so too. The advertisement seems to do its job because it is realistic and comforting, and Pepperidge Farm’s advertisements can be found commonly on TV and in magazines, like the Food Network Magazine this advertisement is in. It also seems easy for parents to trust Pepperidge Farm’s products because the advertisement appeals to ethos, and Pepperidge Farm’s bakers, as fellow parents, seem like trustworthy authorities. The advertisement is successful because it displays its product in a clear and friendly way, and is not screaming “Buy me” to people, but rather “love me” and “enjoy me”.

Pepperidge Farm. Advertisement. Food Network Magazine Sept. 2013: 75. Print.

"Pepperidge Farm® – The Margaret Rudkin Story." Pepperidge Farm® – The Margaret Rudkin Story. Pepperidge Farm, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2013.

Works Cited for Summer Reading Post

TOW #1-The New York Times Article/"The Payday at Twitter Many Were Waiting For"/ Nick Bilton and Vindu Goel

It is probably safe to say that almost every person in America has heard of the social networking site Twitter. Like Facebook or any other media website, it is simply a space to connect with other people. The unique part, though, is that those connections are limited to posts of 140 characters or less. But what if millions of people could make money from one person's 140-character message? According to The New York Times article "The Payday at Twitter Many Were Waiting For", this dream will become a reality within the next six months when investors like Evan Williams and Dick Costolo plan to make Twitter investments public on the stock market.

Unfortunately, technology experts and magazine reporters Nick Bilton and Vindu Goel explain that not everyone will profit from this venture. Despite whether or not people are disappointed, the fact remains that the largest shareholders stand to make billions or millions, while all employees who have been laid off from Twitter, or who were part of the company before it became famous, will not make money or receive a share of stock. Twitter is expected to merely make money for a few chief investors and then finance the start of competing companies. As experienced professionals in the world of technology, Bilton and Goel inform their New York Times audience of their belief that Twitter will not be as profitable in the long run as Facebook has been. They use the stock statistics of other companies and the statements and opinions of "big-name" Twitter investors to add credibility to their report and signify just how important this announcement is. Their use of logos makes this article a factual account, but also successfully appeals to the idea that readers want to have information about a familiar aspect of many of their lives. Twitter is, at its core, a SOCIAL network, so it does make sense that socially (and literally), some will profit more than others.

IRB #1 Introduction Post

1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus (Second Edition)

By Charles C. Mann 

This book focuses on life in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492,  and discusses the idea that the Americas were well settled before by natives before they were discovered by Europeans and were therefore already developed and impacted by the needs of the natives. Mann argues that Native Americans in the Americas invented the idea of genetic engineering, built cities more impressive than ones in Europe, and even caused the Amazon rain forest to change to their specifications. 

I selected this book as my IRB mainly due to the fact that, in general, history fascinates me. I love to watch specials on myths, legends, and the discoveries of famous events on the History Channel, and history has always been one of my favorite subjects. More recently, however, I was required to read about early life in the Americas when I read the first few chapters of my AP U.S. History textbook this summer. Many of the common ideas that Mann claims are incorrect, like the time Native Americans crossed over to the Americas from Asia via the "land bridge", were things that I learned from this textbook. I became curious when I read about this book on Amazon.com, and now I want to find out the new discoveries about what was really going on in the Americas before 1492.

Summer Reading Blog Posts

The Best American Essays: 2011

Edited by Edwidge Danticat

Essay. For most people, the word essay conjures up words like tedious and boring. The average person (much less the average teenager) might have doubts about reading an anthology of essays for the first time, no matter how celebrated it is. But The Best American Essays: 2011 is different. There are pieces to really connect with- stories that are inspiring. The best thing about these essays is that though they are all enjoyable, each one is unique. The essays are written in assorted styles and have various messages, but still all speak of real life problems or teach an important lesson. The responses below have been written on some of the most realistic topics in this book- topics everyone has heard of or experienced. The life in these essays is what makes them amazing- the life is maybe what makes them some of the best essays in the collection.

(Keiger, Dale- The Best American Essays)

"A-LOC"

A human being is an animal. It eats; it sleeps; it lives instinctively. However, it cannot fly. Consequently, the human species used to look at flying as if it were impossible, something limited to birds and comic books. Therefore, the airplane is arguably one of the best inventions ever created...until it breaks or crashes. Then everything is just downhill from there.

Unfortunately, math teacher and writer Bernadette Esposito has had a fear of planes and plane crashes since she was a teenager. She was plagued by returning plane crash nightmares, and has seen more that her fair share of crashes on the news or in photographs. As a result, Esposito tried to avoid planes, only to spotlight plane crashes in much of her writing. Her well-acclaimed essay, "A-LOC", entertains its audience with a series of flashbacks and plane crash-related stories that range from background on plane crashes to an experience volunteering as a crash victim for an airport's training event. Esposito's mysterious tone, along with the flashbacks, forces her readers to piece together what is happening as they read. The author also utilizes logos, or logic, in the essay when sharing facts, statistics, and information on plane crashes; this technique makes the "plane crash" Esposito was in seem traumatic until the end of the essay, when readers discover her injuries are fake.

For the most part, "A-LOC' is an intriguing and well-written essay for fans of historically-rooted mysteries. It offers the suspense of dangerous situations and is full of interesting trivia, such as the meaning of the title itself (A-LOC, or Almost Loss of Consciousness, is time during a blackout when a person loses the ability to act on his or her thoughts). But on the other hand, "A-LOC" occasionally gives the impression that it was written for its author, or others with her same fear. Esposito tries to interrupt the depressing moments of her essay with funnier, more positive stories and flashbacks, and never says how many people had died in the plane crashes. Altogether, the essay is a piece that can be genuinely enjoyed for what it teaches, but loved for its uniqueness.

Sometimes things just go wrong....

("The safest seats are at the back of the plane"- Peter Weber) 

"Grieving"

In our world today, it is not surprising that sayings like "Money makes the world go 'round" exist. In fact, a saying like this is probably accurate. A person's job often defines them (whether they like it or not), so shouldn't a person love what they're being paid to do? Logic would say "yes". But believe it or not, loving a job does not assure someone that they'll always have it. For Dallas Durham, professor and husband of reporter/journalist Meenakshi Gigi Durham, this was never truer than when he lost his job at the University of Iowa. Dallas was a beloved teacher and colleague, expecting tenure, while his wife (the author of the "Grieving") tried to cope with her teaching job (at the same university) one day at a time. Then, one day, a letter came in the mail that explained to Dallas that he would not be receiving tenure and had, consequently, been fired. The essay highlights the Durhams' emotions and troubles as they attempted to find out why Dallas lost his position and whether or not he could ever get it back.

Despite Meenakshi Gigi Durham's experience with her prestigious career and countless published works, she knew nearly nothing about grief before her husband got laid off. Her essay is meant to inspire those who are also somewhat inexperienced with loss, or to reassure those who struggle with grief frequently.  The author reveals that grieving is not just for the dead, but also for the "everyday" things people take for granted. Durham has achieved her purpose while appearing an authority on her subject.  The essay embodies what many consider grieving to be: realizing what they had and how valuable it really was. She weaves statistics, excerpts, anecdotes, and examples throughout her writing (ex. "The U.S. Department of Education reports that only 45 percent of faculty nationwide have tenure"). Considering that nearly every American has either lost a job or been close to someone who has, "Grieving" must speak to its readers. With such a large audience, Durham's work can truly be called an "American Essay".

Why do people grieve for things that don't belong to them (i.e. a job)?

(Steig, William-A man is lying on a psychiatrist's couch.)

"Patient"

Many college graduates say that the years they spent in college were some of the best years of their lives: A chance to be more independent, explore new things and discover who they want to be in life. Often, these years also involve quite a bit of partying and travel- and traveling in college frequently goes hand-in-hand with public transportation. It's cheap, relatively fast, and easy to become familiar with. Sadly, Harvard junior Rachel Riederer became a little too familiar with a public bus when it ran over her left leg late one night in November 2002.

 "Patient", a Missouri Review essay by Riederer (who is now an editor, writer, and teacher at Columbia University), reveals the emotions and thoughts she had the night of the accident, and during the following weeks of surgery and treatment at a nearby hospital. It stresses the importance of family and good friends by narrating their Thanksgiving and Christmas visits while her leg was healing, and teaches that a terrible accident may not always have terrible effects. The author incorporates the irony of the situation (the saying "I feel like I've been hit by a bus" actually happened to her) into her usage of present-tense first person well so that readers feel like the accident just happened and she is writing diary entries throughout the event and her treatment. Riederer also deserves to be congratulated for how her writing targets teens and adults with humor both can appreciate, but still treats the humor as a way to break up the serious moments of the story (so that those moments are not overwhelming and her purpose is accomplished). Another great thing about her writing is that even though the topic could be described with disgusting vocabulary, Riederer explains the events of the incident with a calm, more optimistic attitude that keeps the essay compelling. This essay is not at all tiring, and does not leave its readers feeling as though they were hit by a bus.

A hospital is not a home without friends and family

(Denis Campbell- "NHS cuts...")

"The Washing"

Nobody really wants to touch a body. It is just something that has to be done when a person dies. For stereotypical American funerals, the process is simple: the body is dressed and prepared for burial, family and friends say goodbye during a ceremony, and then the body goes in the ground. The family does not actually participate in preparing the corpse. Yet, this is not always the case. According to Muslim funeral traditions, it is an extreme honor for family members of the same gender as the dead to wash the body. "The Washing" tells the story of how author and Muslim second-generation Pakistani immigrant Reshma Memon Yaqub was given the chance to wash the body of her brother's fiancée’s grandmother, Dadee, when no actual relatives were available to help.

It was an unexpected opportunity; Dadee had traveled from her home in South Africa in order to attend the wedding of her granddaughter and Yaqub's brother, only to suddenly have a heart attack and die before the wedding. The essay is a beautifully-written account of a common Muslim custom (the body washing process) that entertains its readers and shares Muslim culture at the same time. It is perfect for both those familiar with the process and those who had never heard of body washing previously, making it an ideal and fascinating introduction to the tradition. Yaqub uses her skills as a magazine contributor and writer to flawlessly include definitions, allusions ("I'm starting to feel as though I'm trapped in one of those old I Love Lucy episodes..."), and the use of pathos, or emotional sympathy. Readers can understand how uncomfortable the author feels at moments during the process, but also how much the ritual means to her afterwards. "The Washing" is a symbol of how important it is to continue to love someone when he or she is dead, and an inspiration to conquer fear over death.

Is it harder to wash the body of someone you know and love, or someone you just met?

(Jeddah Beauty- The Body Shop Chocomania Soap)

"What Broke My Father's Heart"

Family is something every person on earth can connect to, a foundation of human society. It offers a feeling of belonging, and since family is so vital, it's no wonder that many writers choose to center their work on it. Journalist and popular author Katy Butler is no different, writing about her family's life after moving to America. Though she is most famous for the piece "What Broke My Father's Heart", Butler has been awarded for her other writing as well. Besides topics on family, the devout Buddhist also writes about religion and ethics (like whether or not pacemakers are humane).

The essay "What Broke My Father's Heart" focuses on the message that even though technology may PHYSICALLY save someone's life, it is not always MENTALLY or SOCIALLY beneficial. Butler's retired father, Jeffery, was given a pacemaker before a surgery. Having had a stroke recently before, Butler's father now had dementia and was not physically or mentally functional enough to decide himself to receive a pacemaker or not. His wife decided for him, not knowing the battery would last ten years. Then, 5 years after the pacemaker was installed, Butler and her mother struggle with the decision to turn off the pacemaker and let Jeffery die peacefully. This essay is geared towards readers who may be in the same situation: they are part of families of elderly loved ones, readers who may have dealt with something similar before (i.e. my grandmother has dementia). Butler wants to educate others about what the pacemaker really did for her family- cause stress and take away their trust of doctors.

Butler did achieve her purpose of educating others. She uses credible sources, defines vocabulary well, and speaks in a tone of experience and love, not bias. Readers are given background information on what pacemakers and similar devices can really do, and can see how important the topic is to Butler. The essay written stylistically like a story, with anecdotes, even though its purpose is to teach. All in all, the piece is artful and emotional, not stiff, informative, and "medical".

Once a pacemaker is installed, it's a part of that person's body.

(Notre Dame- "Pacemaker is a Troublemaker")