TOW #24- Go Ask Alice

As the diary Go Ask Alice, written by an anonymous girl, progresses the audience is able to take a deeper look into the downward spiral that the main character goes into. Alice begins her diary because she has no one else to talk to, and she spends her energy searching not for drugs, but for someone who understands her. Once she is introduced, the drugs only create a temporary illusion that she is in touch with people, nature, etc. Her purpose of illustrating the growth of what it is like living as a teenage drug user and the outcome of her life that her addiction caused is shown through her use of parallels and expressive prose.  One of the positive aspects of this diary is that Alice is a very good writer allowing her to lace her unhappy vision of the world with poetic and sensitive language. Through this Alice puts a focal point on the parallels between the two different worlds that she lives in, one being the real world and the other being the fantasy world. The real world is surrounded by her home with her parents, her home with her grandmother, the homes of parties she attends with her friends, the streets of San Francisco and Berkeley, and eventually a psychiatric hospital ward. The fantasy world is everything she sees and believes in when it comes to her hallucinations. Due to the use of drugs, a parallel is created between the real world and everything that she used to know. When showing that parallel between these two different worlds, we can see that Alice thinks and acts differently when she lives in each place. Most of all, Alice wants someone to talk to and because of her longing to do so, she uses the diary to fulfill her need to talk about things, promoting her expressive prose style. From the beginning, the audience notices that Alice feels like she has to hide her identity with others, however when it comes to her Diary, she can be her true self. As she goes deeper into the counterculture, drugs replace the diary as the center of her attention, but even so she still maintains her devotion to it. The diary's use finally comes to an end when when Alice gets rid of it because she feels she wants to share herself with other people, the tool that once allowed Alice to better communicate and understand herself has served its purpose and is no longer being used. The author does a good job of achieving her purpose because the diary is able to highlight her initial innocence which soon progresses into into a character much different than she had ever expected. The book may have been confusing at times because of the constant ups and downs that were apart of Alice's life, also the fact that in the end it seems as though there is hope for her but it is revealed since the beginning that Alice died 3 weeks after she stopped writing in the diary. However, this does not take away from the purpose of the book because it exposes the audience to the harsh realities of drug users.

TOW #23- The Effects of Cannabis on Bipolar Disorder

In my interest in mental disorders has lead me to read many articles on diverse psychiatric disorders.  In one article that came out on the 13th talked about the relation between bipolar disorder and cannabis in London.  A study done by the Lancaster University said that, although only 2% of Britain's population has bipolar disorder, 60% used cannabis.  And most people assume that most use cannabis to deal with the depressive state.  This study, which asked bipolar patients to log their feelings and their drug use, showed that most people use cannabis when they are in a good mood, not a bad mood.  But, because of the drug use, it causes the manic and depressive stages to become worse. The study showed that people use cannabis to self-medicate, even though their medicine is actually making them worse. This article gives an implicit warning to everyone suffering from bipolar disorder.  Even though the cannabis might make you feel better short term, the worsening of your symptoms only make you more dependent on the drugs.  Even though the studies next course is to see the long term of the cannabis on this emotional disorder, the current study suggests that drug use may seem like a way to handle a hard-to-control situation, but it actually makes it worse. 

TOW #22- What My Mom Does at GE

The advertisement is called "Childlike Imagination - What My Mom Does at GE". It features a little girl describing in childlike terms what her mother makes at work, exploring some of what GE does through the eyes of a child. It is also unique as an advertisement because its purpose is slightly different than most; this ad is not trying to get the audience to buy something. Rather, the advertisement serves to promote General Electric to the wider public audience to generate interest in and support for what they are doing. It does this by explaining and emphasizing the imagination of what GE creates.The whimsical images which are simultaneously described by the little girl and pictured on the screen contribute to this childlike view of the technology GE develops. For example, the images of planes with wings like birds and trees that walk around and wave to trains are fantastical and appealing, yet they represent the real technology that GE actually develops. GE's use of the child's view is effective because the audience understands that what the child describes is not literally true but is an imaginative interpretation. Trees are not literally friends with trains and actual hospitals do not fit in your hand as described in the ad, but using this perspective to show how they develop environmentally friendly trains and hand-held medical resource devices is more imaginative and appeals to the audience. Another strategy the ad uses is its environmental message. GE emphasizes their environmentally-friendly work by specifically highlighting their environmentally-friendly trains, but also implicitly by including naturalistic themed images. For example, the scenes of the moon powering the underwater turbines, the planes flying on birds wings through the clouds, and the little girl sitting among the waving trees associate GE technology with nature and help them appear environmentally friendly. This helps boost GE's ethos as a company by showing that it cares about the environment, which would help promote the company to a wider audience. Overall the advertisement is artfully crafted and visually appealing. It effectively promotes General Electric to a wider public audience by emphasizing the childlike imagination of the company.

TOW #21- The Monarchy is at odds with Modern Britain

For the past few years the British Royal Family has been in the spotlight, as the recent weddings, birth, and christenings of various members have all drawn much positive publicity. However, many still argue against the usefulness and effectiveness of the royals, claiming that British citizens deserve more rights and more equality. An editorial from The Observer, featured in its sister paper The Guardian, argues the same and, being in a British newspaper, is clearly aimed at citizens of that country.  However, it does not state its point a way that would turn any royalist into a fervent republican.  Though many pieces with epigraphs include only one, this article seems to have two.  A photograph of the late Christopher Hitchens is inserted above the article, the words "Christopher Hitchens said we should emancipate ourselves from the mental habits of royalism" set beneath the picture. The second epigraph is at the end of the first paragraph, which states "As republicanism gathered a little wind in the 1990s... Ian McEwan announced: 'It is time to say boo! to the big goose.'" The title of the article might not be enough to clue some readers in to the subject matter, as after all, it could just be pointing out that the monarchy is outdated instead of practically calling for its end. However, these two epigraphs, each coming from a well-known British author, set the tone of the editorial quite nicely and make it clear what direction it is going in.To try to support their argument, the author of the editorial uses also political facts and statistical evidence.  For example, the author writes, "According to the campaign group, Republic, in the top 20 UK tourist attractions, Windsor Castle is the only "living" royal tourist draw... it only just creeps in at number 17... Tourists will visit whether or not we have a sovereign."  They also state "We have no written constitution, no right to call ourselves citizens.  In a time of alleged increasing transparency, the royal household is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act."  An argument is stronger when supported with hard facts and not just quotes from authors or emotional protests.  However, in this case, the problem with the above passages, as well as many others in the article, is that none of the information is a secret; British citizens know their place in the country and they know how their political system works.  As for the Windsor Castle example, it is probable that many readers would find it irrelevant; even the author states that there are "more serious points to make".  If the author truly wants to convert royalist readers to republicanism, they would be better off citing concrete facts about things that negatively affect and anger the British people instead of restating that which has been written down over and over and assuming that the British have no idea what is going on in their own country.

TOW #20- Go Ask Alice

In the anonymously written diary, Go Ask Alice, the author describes her experience of being immersed into the world of drugs. The diary begins with her moving to another town because of her father's new job. She is just a normal teenage girl facing boy problems and weight issues, still very innocent with very little issues. At a party she attends, she is introduced to LSD for the first time when she is handed a laced drink, this changed her life forever and pushes her into a direction of constantly being under the influence.  The author's purpose of expressing the built up emotions and thoughts that a drug addicted teenager would have at that point of her life was well backed up through the use of clear symbolism. One of the key devices to focus on in this book is the use of symbolism. Not only does it help illustrate what she is experiencing, but it also offers an insight into her mind and how it affects her as a character. Throughout the book the author has a reoccurring fear of maggots and worms as they come out in her dream and she keeps thinking about them eating the dead bodies. Her first revelation of this fear was when she, "I [she] had a nightmare last night about Gramps' body all filled with maggots and worms, and I [she] thought about what would happen if I [she] should die." Although it is a gross image, as she goes further into the description of maggots and worms eating her there is a clear symbol that is seen. At first, her fear of the maggots focuses around the loneliness of her individual mind. Part of her fear is that she is unaware of what happens to a body underground that is hidden from sight. The author's loneliness connects to this anxiety, that she fears no one knows what is happening in her mind. Later on when she is in a hospital, she remembers the "dead things and people" that were "pushing" her into a casket, becoming something that seeks to harm Alice. The audience is able to interpret the maggots and worms as instances of destructive impulses in society that she has incorporates into low self-esteem as if society is "pushing" her inside the coffin just how it has pushed her into drugs, away from her family, and even further away from reality. The author does a good job of achieving her purpose because she is able to utilize the rhetorical devices into an expressive way that helps the audience see into her mind and her emotions. By repeatedly mentioning her fear throughout the book, we are able to see a clearly defined symbol that allows us to look into the deeper side of how drugs have affected the diarist. 

TOW #19- Why is it so hard to see Black and White?

"Why is it so hard to see Black and Blue" is a advertisement that evokes the "The Dress" phenomenon to talk about the need to end domestic violence. The advertisement argues that there meed to be a focus on the "One and six women" who suffer from domestic abuse. Its hard not to agree with their argument. Instead of focusing on trivial internet comedies there needs to be focus on issues that still are prevalent in today's world. The issue of domestic violence has only recently been brought to the light, as more women have been coming forward as victims of abuse. Domestic Abuse being a common issue in this day and time and still one that needs to be solved. At its core that author says that domestic violence need more focus that an internet illusion. As many women and men are affected by domestic violence, the only pitfall of this ad that it doesn't address domestic violence in a objective matter. As one in seven men are victims of domestic violence. By only portraying a women in the ad they section off a huge part of domestic violence victims, excluding a whole percentage of victims who need help. But nonetheless the argument is effective in the way it shows the horrors of domestic violence. By adding the shock value of a women being beaten it exemplifies how the reality of domestic violence. Overall this advertisement highlight and argues for the need to help and aid the fight to help victims of domestic abuse.

TOW #18- Put an Atheist on the Supreme Court

Atheism is becoming one of the most growing sects in America, as many individuals are now tending to not identify as religious or believe in god at all. This group of people is the subject of editorial written by Lawrence Krauss, an American theoretical physicist and cosmetologist. Krauss explains the lack of religious diversity in the Supreme Court, explaining that most Supreme Court justices are Catholic and Jewish. He argues the notion that rather than elect another person of a different faith that the way to bring about religious diversity in the Supreme Court is to appoint a declared Atheist. Krauss's purpose and argument being that this would keep the government secular giving a more unbiased perceptive in the Supreme Court. Krauss does this by making religious allusions and detailing hypothetical situations. Krauss explains that our government that was intentionally made to be secular should base officials based on their religious affiliation. "The Ten Commandments are reserved for houses of worship; the laws of the land are, or should be, secular" (2), by referencing the biblical Ten Commandments Krauss is able to show that appointment of a atheist in the Supreme Court will keep this reservation of a secular government. This issue is again address when he brings up issues in our present day courts that an atheist justice would be effective in handling. Most notably the issue of gay marriage, Krauss explains that hypothetically since the justice would have no religious affiliation that they would have no religious bias holding them back from allowing this right. He goes on to say that this would also be beneficial in issues such as birth control and abortion. Although I do agree with Krauss claim to an Atheist Supreme Court justice, he does not provide enough substantial evidence to make his argument effective. Most of the evidence he presents in hypothetical, if he were to bring in a real life example of an Atheist in a government position it would make his argument more effective. But overall he has the right ideas but the evidence is not enough to make a clear judgement of an Atheist in the Supreme Court.

TOW #17- Nonfiction Piece- How to Stop 'Saving' the English Major

How to Stop 'Saving' the English Major, is an editorial written by Ryan Chapin Mach, a freelance writer and creative contributor for the Huffington Post. In the article he details the ongoing struggle between classic literature versus new wave books and their contemporary audience. Stating the position that the 'narcissism' apparently shown by the new generation of readers and books is present in the old classic novels. He does this best by using hypothera to challenge the way in which many editors and critics view the new wave of readers. Mach questions "Just because people are critiquing the classics, does that mean they've stopped consuming them? If you think that these works stand the test of time, why won't you let a new generation examine them on its own terms? It's probably because the new generation is too wrapped up in itself to think about them right." (6/7). By utilizing hypothera Mach is able to present the perceptive in the view of the critics and present the main reason for their dispute with the younger audience. Claiming that the new generation is too narcissistic to enjoy the classic novels which are praised by literary critics everywhere. He further discusses and answers these question by questioning the use of narcissism in the classic's argument. "I guess I'm just wondering at what point narcissism became an impediment to writing. Literary masters have a tendency towards self-importance because it seems to go well with attempting to capture the essence of the human condition" (9). By using hypothera, Mach is able to successfully and effectively capture how both the classics and the new wave novels show the vice of selfishness. Presenting a thought provoking piece on how the new and old generation of readers are not that different. 

IRB Intro- Go Ask Alice

For my independent reading book I chose Go Ask Alice. An anonymous diary written by a teenage girl about her experience with drugs. I chose this books at the recommendation of a friend who has read it before and because the topic seemed very interesting to me. I am very excited to read this fascinating book.

TOW #16- IRB- Eat Pray Love

In her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, author Elizabeth Gilbert does a phenomenal job re-telling her journey to find herself through a year long trip to three countries she had always wanted to visit: Italy, India, and Indonesia. On this journey, Gilbert intends to cleanse her soul and find who she really is through the balance of worldly pleasures and divine peace. Through the use of figurative language, Gilbert shares her story of overcoming depression and breaking the harmful cycle. As the author describes the situation that nudged her towards her self-searching journey, she uses many metaphors that really capture what she is feeling. She described herself as being "such a diligent soldier for years -- working, producing, never missing a deadline, taking care of my loved ones, my gums and my credit record, voting, etc" (23). Gilbert was responsible for so much in her life, and the comparison to the soldier just shows how truly hard she was working and how dedicated she was to having everything run smoothly. Even on her trip, the author struggles with depression and loneliness. One particularly rough night, Gilbert personifies these two feelings. "Then they frisk me. They empty my pockets of any joy I had been carrying there. Depression even confiscates my identity; but he always does that" (47). By giving depression and loneliness this persona, she makes the pain seem more tangible and realistic.This novel is so effortless to relate to, because Gilbert is an authentic real person that does not idealize her life. By asking these important questions in her book, Gilbert can create a connection with readers who feel the same way. Then readers will feel as if they are not alone in their situation. From page to page Gilbert's reliability and writing captures your attention, sparks with creativity and oozes with charm. She have overall written a fantastic novel that I have enjoyed immensely and look forward to sharing with my peers. 

TOW #15- Nonfiction Piece- The Baffling 2016 Oscar Nominees

"The Baffling 2016 Oscar Nominees" is commentary written by Richard Brody for The New Yorker. Brody is an American film critic who has written for The New Yorker since 1999. In his commentary he address the 2016 Oscar nominees and the bias way in which the academy pick its nominees. His main purpose is to comment on the wrongfully snub actors and pick apart the nominated films. He does through his use of callous diction, most notably when he address the way in which the Academy choose its nominees. One movie in which Brody thought deserved more nomination was that of Creed, and disagreed with only Sylvester Stallone being the one to represent the film. "But the Academy’s choice of no one but Stallone to represent “Creed” at the awards—no Jordan and no Ryan Coogler, who wrote and directed it, and, for that matter, no Maryse Alberti, whose distinctively agile cinematography is integral to the movie’s emotional impact—is a grotesque distortion of the viewing experience." (2). By using phrase like "grotesque distortion" Brody avails the seriousness of his claims and further shows his feelings on who he feels worthy of giving an Oscar. Brody is successful in his purpose to in a way call out the Academy. By using insensitive and callous diction he gives a seriousness to a topic that most of his audience, movie goers. wouldn't think of. Furthermore, showing the bias of the Academy. 

TOW #14- Nonfiction Piece- Angela Merkel’s Cologne Test

"Angela Merkel's Cologne Test", written by Amy Davidson, editor and essayist at the New Yorker, is a editorial on the recent sexual assaults in Germany and the role that Syrian refugee played in the offense. In the essay she details the events that transpired and how it has become a road block in German Chancellor Anglea Merkel's plan to give asylum to Syrian refugees. Davidson main purpose being to examine the affect these sexual offences will have on the future plans to accept even more refugees. She does this most notably by using Hypophora, she raises the inevitable question that Merkel will have to face on her way to helping these refugees. One being that has her plan now come to an end, "Has it failed, though? More important, must it fail? One of the most provocative quotes in the leaked police report is from a man who shouted, 'I’m a Syrian! You have to treat me kindly! Frau Merkel invited me.'"(6). By using hypopthora she makes in known the uncertainly of Germany's future with the refugees and the questions that will most likely be faced with in the coming months. Does the actions of few affect the whole and with the addition of new refugees will criminal offences like sexual assault become more prevalent. Davidson masterfully utilizes hypopthora to convey these question making her editorial successful in examining the effect of these sexual offences have in the future of the refugees. Furthermore bringing a fresh and new perceptive on the future of the Syrian refugees and the effect it will have on the countries that accept them.