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.