TOW #10: Comic by Gary Larson

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“The Far Side” is a comic series by Gary Larson that covers and comments on everything from political issues to people’s everyday grievances. This particular snippet is about the worst scenarios that can happen to an Apple computer user and to a PC computer user. In the comic, the top section is “Hell for Apple users” and there is a man standing naked (censored) in front of the devil, who says to him: “Welcome to Hell. Here’s your PC”. This is understandable considering Apple computer users would not like to have a PC because they chose Apple in the first place. In the bottom section of the comic though, is the same scenario, except it is “Hell for PC users” the kicker is that instead of the devil saying “Welcome to Hell. Here’s your Apple,” he says “Welcome to Hell. Here’s your PC”.

Larson wrote this comic to highlight the fact that even PC users hate PCs, and thus comment on how PCs are far inferior to Apple computer (implying it is because of various functional problems with PCs). Larson is able to do this through the obvious, satirical humor. The main device he uses to get across this humor is juxtaposition. The juxtaposition of the two scenarios works well because visually the pictures of the two different “hells” are right next to each other. Also, the devil is saying the same thing in both of the comics and there is the same caption with it: “Hell for PC/Apple users”. The constants in the comic just make the single difference (or lack of differences) stand out more. Thus, Larson is able to cut right to the point and make his purpose extremely obvious by the clear juxtaposition that helps to build satirical humor.

IRB #2 Into: A Briefer History of Time by: Stephen Hawking

In my quest for a new IRB this marking period, I was hunting through my father's library. Nestled between dusty stacks of books, I found A Briefer History of Time by: Stephen Hawking. And here's where you get to finally meet Julie in her primitive nerd form. Before I even opened to the first page, I saw the words "string theory" and "quantum gravity" and knew this was the book for me.

Like a kid in a candy store, I flipped through the pages excitedly. I saw that the book was exactly what the title says it is, and more. It aims to cover topics like the big bang, Newton's laws, the theory of relativity, curved space, the expanding of the universe, wormholes, and much more! Now, you're probably thinking, "Wow, I really didn't know Julie was such a freak, I'll note that for future reference in class," but really, I am so pumped to read this book. Not only is it by Stephen Hawking, arguably the best scientific mind of the century, but this book will force me to think on an abstract level, and will teach me so much.

I hope to take away simply a lot more knowledge from this book. These are topics that I know the basic premises of, but want to know more about in depth. Also, I believe actively reading books on scientific topics will help me to get ahead in the field that I want to go into. I also just think science is really interesting and hope that this IRB, although a school assignment, can be entertaining as well.

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TOW #9: 96.3 by: Delaney Doran

As I sat down to write this week’s TOW, a neglected copy of the Trojan Times sat staring at me on my desk. Sadly, the average Wiss student does not pay much attention to these monthly papers, so, I felt bad, and picked it up. Interestingly enough, the paper actually has a plethora of article types, humorous and informative alike. On the front page of the November issue is Delaney Doran, a senior this year, with her article “96.3”.

“96.3” highlights how Wissahickon scored a 96.3 on the PA School Performance Profile assessment. Doran first tells the reader what the Performance Profile assessment is, and what it is made up of. Then, she talks about why Wissahickon deserves this honor. Her purpose is to let the average Wiss student know that their school is not the “ratchet” or “ghetto” school that they might hear about in the hallways. She aims to point out that Wissahickon is actually a great place to get an education.

To help her reach the students, Doran begins with a strong introduction, highlighting Wissahickon’s strengths as a school with strong diction. Doran points out Wissahickon’s “stellar visual and musical arts programs” (para. 1). This appeals to those students reading the article who are musical, and get “props”. Not only that, but the word “stellar” has a strong connotation, but types of student can understand this word. If Doran had used a more advanced word, many may not have known the meaning and either been confused, or decide to stop reading. Doran also points out the “outstanding” teachers and sports teams that “continually compete at regional and state levels” (para. 1). The majority of her article then uses facts to illustrate how this recognition was given and what it means. To bring her point full circle, Doran closes her article with a humorous but resounding ending. She says that she wants to congratulate the teachers of Wiss for their “A” (para. 6). Using the play on words, Doran is able to connect to students and teachers alike with this reference to grading. Therefore, Doran proves her point that Wissahickon is in fact a great place to get an education through strong diction, hard facts, and a funny but effective ending.

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TOW #8: Outliers (IRB pt 2) by Malcolm Gladwell

In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers, his purpose is to analyze factors that make people successful. He does this effectively through not only the facts and anecdotes I have previously pointed out, but he also uses dialogue and rhetorical questions  in the second half of his book.

When Gladwell highlighted why Korean flights crash so much more than any other flights, he pointed to lack of communication. To illustrate this effectively for the reader, he adds dialogue. “Klotz: One-five-zero maintaining two thousand Avianca zero-five-two heavy. The captain is clearly on the edge of panic. Caviedes: Advise him we don’t have fuel...Klotz: Climb and maintain three thousand and, ah, we’re running out of fuel, sir” (199). By using a direct dialogue from the cockpit of a flight that crashed, Gladwell is able to dissect the conversation directly for real-world evidence. This makes his argument stronger by appealing to logos, and when dialogue like this is paired with facts and figures about the number of crashes, there is an irrefutable correlation that the reader can see between lack of communication and plane crashes.

Not only does dialogue strengthen Gladwell’s arguments, but his rhetorical questions relate his purpose to the reader in an engaging way. At the end of the section that explains the link between growing rice in asian culture to how asian kids are much better at math on average than anyone in the world, Gladwell ends the section with a question. “...it’s hard not to wonder how many other cultural legacies have an impact on our twenty-first-century intellectual tasks. What if coming from a culture shaped by the demands of growing rice also makes you better at math? Could the rice paddy make a difference in the classroom?” (232). This use of a rhetorical question engages the reader because it prompts them to think on their own.

Though these rhetorical devices and more, Gladwell achieves his purpose in effectively analyzing the factors that make people successful. However, in doing so Gladwell actually discourages people from success. All the facts and supporting evidence he uses supports his theory that success comes from one’s cultural background, not the hard work of the individual. Only one chapter, “The 10,000 Hours Rule” supports the fact that with hard work comes success. Thus, making Gladwell’s book interesting, but quite upsetting to someone who is not from the cultures highlighted with his data. As for me, I’m Jewish. Does that mean I’ll become a doctor or a lawyer because my great-grandfather wasn’t like the irish farmers and worked in the manufacturing business? No, and Gladwell cannot tell me differently. I’m set to prove him wrong.

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TOW #7: Education Reform: Not Complicated--but Seriously Difficult by: David M. Steiner

The first marking period of my junior year is coming to a close, and I’ll have to admit--my grades aren’t all they could be. However, my courses are vigorous to say the least. I take three AP’s: English, U.S. History, and Biology and the rest honors. My electives aren’t so easy either, Research Methodology is a course that calls for a self-structured research project where the teacher is really just there to guide you and help you if you run into trouble. David Steiner, founding director of the CUNY Institute for Education Policy at Roosevelt House, writer for the Huffington Post, and the author of Education Reform: Not Complicated--but Seriously Difficult, writes an article that calls the average American citizen to action.

Steiner aims to get citizens to care more about the education system. He emphasizes that courses need more vigor (to which I was hyperventilating just thinking about), better teachers, more funding, and higher expectations. Throughout the article, Steiner references a book published on international education practices by Amanda Ripley. First, he cites the main things that work when implemented in an education system, such as “demanding and coherent criteria” (Steiner). Then, Steiner uses this analysis of foreign education systems to parallel our own. He says, quite bluntly, “if all U.S. schools applied the rigor and attention to their academic offerings that our high schools apply to their highest-profile sports programs, our students would come far closer to matching their demographic peers in high performing countries” (Steiner). Not only that, but Steiner utilizes the pronoun “we” so as not to seem to critical. Instead of seeming like he blames other people, or our government directly, the use of “we” makes Steiner seem like he is self-analyzing. The word “we” suggests he is reflecting on his own choices and makes the article seem less accusatory.

As a student reading this article, a lot of its effectiveness was because of personal preference. At first, when I read that Steiner wanted more academic vigor, I felt nauseous. However, I understand that I am a driven student taking college-level courses who is involved in extracurriculars as well. After reading the article, I understood who Steiner was trying to target. It’s the students and teachers of the regular level classes not even necessarily at schools like mine, but at schools in worse areas. Steiner points out that the U.S. does not have a good idea of what we want high school graduates to actually know and be able to do skill-wise. In result, as a whole, the students of America are not up to par. After reading this article, I can agree with that. It all comes down to how much we as Americans care about our educations.

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TOW #6: Vigineo Home Security Advertisement

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This advertisement for Vigineo home security systems is quite simple, yet eye catching. The goal of the advertisement is simply to sell home security systems. The advertising executives and employees at Vigineo aim to accomplish this through minimalism and fear.

Pictured here is a white background with a hand with it’s fingers crossed, which symbolizes someone hoping for good luck. However, drawn on the fingers is a picture of the face of a tough-looking man with a knife to another man’s throat. The text at the top reads: “Because you can’t always trust good luck.”

Aimed to target homeowners, this ad is effective because of its minimalism and play on fear. The average time people look at advertisements is about one second. Homeowners are most likely working people, and do not spend time looking at advertisements for long. The fact that the only thing in the picture directly relates to the point that Vigineo wants to get across cuts through any fluff right away. Viewers get the point. The white background helps to bring out the hand even more, and the use of black inc for the faces drawn on the fingers draws the eye directly to it. The play on fear utilized in conjunction with the minimalism drives the point home.

The text at the top reads: “Because you can’t always trust good luck,” which refers to the man with the knife to the other man’s throat. The advertisement is essentially telling the viewer that they can’t just rely on luck to be safe in their own home. This play on fear is effective because the reader sees exaggerated, but plausible consequences of not getting home security, and the play on the crossed fingers for good luck ties everything together. Thus, through this simple and funny ad which plants a small seed of fear within viewers’ minds, Vigineo effectively prompts people who don’t have home security to think twice about their safety, and of course to use Vigineo.

TOW #5: Like apparel are we headed for ultra-casual? by Jerry Epperson

In the October issue of the magazine Furniture Today, well-respected furniture critic Jerry Epperson wrote his usual opinion piece. However, in Like apparel, are we headed for ultra-casual?, he barely mentions furniture at all. Instead, he begins with describing how people used to dress nicely in general. Then, he goes on to tell his experience and observations when he went to eight different department stores. Epperson mentions furniture only once, saying, “I decided to go shopping and look at today’s styles in apparel, which is often a leading indicator of what is about to occur in home furnishings” (Epperson). For most of the piece, Epperson seems to be merely griping about the latest fashion trends. However, like the title states, his purpose is for the readers, mostly people who are literate in the furniture world, to take caution about new trends in fashion, because they may carry over into the furniture world.

Epperson does not achieve his purpose flawlessly. He writes, “My observations included:” and then proceeds to list what he observed at the department stores he visited (Epperson). Epperson does not take an objective stance on his observations, throwing in comments like: “Wearing exercise clothing has no requirement that the wearer exercise, evidently” (Epperson). This detracts from his purpose because he spends the majority of his piece throwing in lines like this instead of telling the reader how this could affect new furniture styles directly. Epperson seems to air more on the criticizing than analyzing side.

Not only does his list full of snarky comments detract from his argument, but Epperson’s rhetorical questions do not serve his purpose either. At the end of his piece, Epperson writes: “Will everything all blend together in one neutral style that is ultra-casual? Is that our fate?” (Epperson). He closes with this sweeping statement, but instead of enforcing the fear and caution Epperson set out to do, he makes a sweeping statement that readers can easily argue with. Besides complaining about people’s clothing style, Epperson offers no evidence of these styles carrying into the furniture world. Therefore, these questions, intended to strike fear in the furniture business, do absolutely nothing.

This furniture set up looks pretty put-together to me

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