TOW #3 - Human Race

Adam Zyglis, the artist behind “The Race We Still Struggle With”, is an American cartoonist who earned the Pulitzer Prize. In this text, he discusses both the presidential race and America in general as time goes on. He discusses these topics with an American audience, as it is a way to show Americans the problems that we as a whole need to eliminate (prejudice, discrimination, bigotry) to run smoother as a country. As there is a presidential race occurring, there is a chance for America to have a big change and eliminate the things that stop it from advancing. Zyglis uses this occasion as a chance to show his purpose, which was to show that America cannot improve unless it takes the obstacles - prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry - and solves the problems. With those gone, America can have a smoother presidential race and a smoother path to a better country. However, if Americans continue to be prejudice, they risk the development of fairness and equality for all. I think Zyglis supported his purpose as he clearly and concisely shows what he thinks are standing in the way of America’s improvement. Zygis uses metaphor for his purpose. He uses metaphors to show that the discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry are stopping the runner from running as they are stopping America from developing into a fair country. The author also uses details to show that the runner, Uncle Sam, who represents the patriotic part of America, is tired and sweating as it is hard to try to continue to develop with things holding him back. By using the word “still” in the caption, he says that not only are we struggling with this race, but we have been struggling even though we should be done the race by now.

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/campaign-2016-as-told-through-political-cartoons-and-satire

TOW #2 - Spork or Weapon?

It’s a Fork, It’s a Spoon, It’s a ... Weapon? discusses school rules on weapons and how the strict rules have led to unfair suspensions of young and innocent children. This article was written by Ian Urbina. He is an investigative reported for the New York Times that received a Pulitzer, a Polk, and other awards for journalism. He is very credible in his writing as he cites multiple sources and uses many quotes from his interviews. In his article he explains that The increase in security of schools was, “Spurred in part by the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings” (14), and as more shootings are occurring the security is increasing. Although the audience is general as anyone can view the article and be more informed about the incidents. A more specific audience includes those who write the policies on weapons as it opens their eyes to the effects of strict rules. Urbina hopes to inform the audience of the harshness of school rules on weapons and the need for change in those rules. He uses logos for his arguments. He explains that, “In Baltimore, around 10,000 students, about 12 percent of the city’s enrollment, were suspended during the 2006-7 school year, mostly for disruption and insubordination, according to a report by the Open Society Institute-Baltimore” (19). He uses many statistics and quotes from his interviews to back up his reasoning. This is impactful to his purpose as it helps readers understand the severity of the problem and how it isn’t just one rare case of suspension. Along with logos Urbina uses pathos to make a compelling argument. Zachary said, “I just think the other kids may tease me for being in trouble” (30). This quote is in the conclusion of the essay, ultimately being a strong point to use the emotional side of the readers to agree with Urbina. I think that Ian Urbina accomplished his purpose very well. He made it very clear that to the students who were suspended, but did not have intent to harm, should be allowed to go back to school.

TOW #1 - The Falling Man

The Falling Man An Unforgettable Story, written by Tom Junod, analyzes a picture taken on September 11, 2001 of a man jumping out of one of the Twin Towers. Tom Junod is an American journalist that writes for Esquire. He received two of the most prestigious awards in magazine writing - the National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors. Junod uses rhetorical devices well in his essay. He writes about other jumpers, saying that “they look confused, as though trying to swim down the side of a mountain. The man in the picture, by contrast, is perfectly vertical, and so is in accord with the lines of the buildings behind him” (par. 1). The metaphor allows the reader to visualize what is happening to the people falling, but also contrast the falling man from others that fell, explaining why the photo is so profound. Junod also uses pictures to separate paragraphs. He puts the pictures in chronological order of the man falling to show exactly what he is writing about. The audience includes those who want to know more about the photo of the falling man. Many people argue against showing the falling man as it can be an extortion of his suicide. Junod writes that many newspapers, “were forced to defend themselves against charges that they exploited a man's death, stripped him of his dignity, invaded his privacy...” (par. 8). However, Junod argues in his conclusion that, “The picture is his cenotaph, and like the monuments dedicated to the memory of unknown soldiers everywhere, it asks that we look at it, and make one simple acknowledgment. That we have known who the Falling Man is all along” (par. 52-53). Junod believes that to honor those who fall one should look at the picture and realize what the jumpers did on that fateful day. The author accomplished his purpose well. He showed the opposing argument - the families that were disgusted by the photo - and also explained why he believes that the photo should be seen. This text convinces the writer to look at the picture and respect those who have lost and have a greater understanding of what happened on September 11, 2001.

IRB Intro Post #1

For my IRB I have decided to read Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. Blink is about how humans subconsciously think. I decided to read Blink because I read Outliers by Gladwell and really enjoyed it. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the human mind on a subconscious level from reading this book.