TOW #30: Letter to New APELC Student

Dear Future APELC-er,

So you've made the choice to take English Language and Composition, and there's no backing out at this point. You've probably already been warned of the difficulties of this course and have probably already started dreading the day when you will have to sit down for the 3 hour test. The first thing you have to do is not panic. I remember on my first day of English, after hearing Mr. Yost talk about all the stuff the course was going to cover, I went home regretting what I had gotten myself into. This year was the first year I took APs, so it was a completely new experience for me. It seems pretty intimidating at first, but if you take each day and assignment as they come, it will be a much easier and relaxing experience. You may feel like there is no way you will be prepared for that test. I know I did. What you don't know yet is that you will practice every type of essay over and over again that it will come as almost second nature by the time that May comes. You may not have the slightest idea of what rhetoric is, but you will analyze so many different pieces of literature that the process will be muscle memory soon enough.

Along with that, do NOT sweat the grade you get on the summer reading essay. You are not expected to enter the class as amazing writers that never get anything other than a 9. You will learn how to improve through the course. That grade will not ruin your year average, like you think it might. Also, I assure you that you will only build off of that first score. By the time your first take-home-essay rolls around, you will not have an issue raising the scores.

You will learn soon enough that the workload is pretty heavy. There will be a lot of readings that you have to do, and putting the work in on the earlier stages will really pay off in the end. You get what you put into this class, so if you prepare the minimum amount possible, your grade will reflect that. For example, when you are writing your timed analysis essays, you will have to read and analyze a passage. Do not put less effort into this aspect of the process, because your notes can only help you to write a fuller and more adequate essay. (Adequate will quickly become what you strive for.) 

Never forget SOAPStone, it will follow you throughout the entire year. Speaker, occasion, audience, purpose, subject, and tone are always very important to consider.

Finally, ask for help when you need it. When the rest of the class understands something, it might be kind of embarrassing to speak up, but remember that the ideas and techniques you learn in the beginning of the year are the foundation that the entire course is built on. Mr. Yost is very willing to help you in any way he can, so don't be afraid to speak up. He's not as intimidating as he looks :)

Be brave with your ideas; you could bring something to the conversation that nobody else had considered before. Similarly, be open to considering the ideas of others. Most importantly though, don't be scared. You will be fine. :)

Good luck!
Kayleigh

TOW #29: Jesus Camp (Documentary)

Last week, I had the opportunity to watch a very interesting documentary, called Jesus Camp. As I said in my last post, this film follows three strict Evangelical Christians through their faiths as they travel to a camp that is organized to prepare children for sharing their religion with others. While the passing down values to new generations is clearly important to the survival of society and culture, I believe that this camp might have passed that fine line between teaching and brainwashing. There is one, very memorable point in the film where the camp organizers brought in ceramic mugs and preached to the children about government. They then wrote the word "government" on these mugs and gave each kid a chance to smash them to bits with a hammer. First of all, none of these children were wearing safety goggles, which is my first problem. Second though, they were all so young and metaphorically criticizing their own national leaders on the basis of issues that they were too young to fully understand. As a kid, it's hard to comprehend the degree of certain issues and the extreme importance those issues hold. As an adult, I believe that one's responsibility is to pass on moral values to younger generations, but I think it is wrong to instill opinions in kids when the debates they are taking sides on are so complex. Otherwise, how can it be considered their opinion? There was another similar scene in the documentary when politics again entered the camp. A man was talking to the kids about abortion and how wrong it is. Again, I respect the opinions of the religion, and the right of citizens to speak and think freely. What I vehemently disagreed with was what took place after the conversation. Some of the children traveled to a courthouse and protested outside with adult members of the group. They placed pieces of tape with the words "LIFE" on their mouths. This goes back to my previous idea of telling kids to have an extreme opinion on complex problems. At that age I was playing outside, not worrying whether abortion was morally right. I know now that I would not have been able to make an educated decision on my stance. I do not believe that these kids could either. But the stance is not theirs, it is the opinion of their elders being pressed upon them. Throughout the film, many other mixtures of church and state show up, proving that the religion has a political stance, even though church leaders do not formally admit it. I just know that I was very uncomfortable when watching this documentary. I have to disagree with the camp and their end goal of spreading a faith that supports these methods.

TOW #28: Jesus Camp (Documentary)

In "the land of the free," the limits of free speech are a controversial topic that will continue to be disputed for a long time. This gray area is one of the underlying questions that comes into play in the 2006 documentary, Jesus Camp. In this documentary, three young children are followed as they travel to a Evangelical Christian camp that will teach them more about their religion and help them learn how to spread their beliefs to others. These spotlighted kids are Levi, Rachael, and Tori. They all come from very religious families and intend to devote their entire lives to their beliefs. The woman in charge of the camp is named Becky Fischer, and she shares her goal with the cameras in the beginning of the documentary. She wants these kids to have such strong faith in Christianity that they would be willing to sacrifice themselves for their love of God. She knows that the values that are learned at a young age are the fundamental basis for which children build on. So if these dedicated children are taught the ideas and concepts of Evangelistic Christianity when they are seven, the core values will be instilled throughout the duration of their life. At camp, they do things like repent for their sins, smash ceramic labeled "government," and hear a speech from a man protesting abortion. They also talk to a cardboard cutout of George Bush, and pray for him and his administration. The conflict comes in when political statements are made through religion. Abortion is currently a major political fight, but it is also a religious issue. The separation of church and state is called into question when all parties (whether political or not) have the right to say what they choose. Is this camp brainwashing kids by indoctrinating one-sided opinions into youth? Or is this establishment just passing down the same views that this particular church has always held? Bias is hard to avoid in reality, but this documentary questions the limit that exists. Representing the other side of the argument is a radio-talk show host who is obviously more liberal. He speaks with a few people as the film goes on, even interviewing the leader of the camp at one point. That talk is where their clashing views are most contrasting. Although the filmmakers released a statement saying that this film was intended to have an objective view, there were a few cinematic decisions that created a certain feeling. At points, the documentary seemed to be criticizing the camp and the Evangelical Church. Most of the documentary was set in the Midwest, a fairly rural area. I am aware that, being liberal and growing up in the area that I did, I have my own personal bias, but I am attempting to be as unbiased as I can. The views of the scenery between content scenes create a tone of loneliness and isolation. This mood does not tend to be positive, instead, it makes viewers (at least me) a little apprehensive and off-put by the camp and where it is located. Another factor is the characters that are not at the camp. Early on in the film, the main group of focuses go bowling. In this group is Rachael, one of the featured children. On this trip, Rachael goes up to a stranger and gives her a pamphlet. She also tells this woman how much God loves her and wants to know her. As Rachael leaves, the woman, who was very polite, looks confused and taken aback. This is pretty unusual in today's society and by including this bit, it is clear that some people may not want to be persuaded to change religions. This would be exercising their own personal rights as well. The reaction proves that this type of interference in strangers lives could be negative. A lot of really substantial facts are presented in this film, and it made me think a lot about the difference between sharing a faith and pressuring others to have faith alongside you.

http://www.impawards.com/2006/jesus_camp.html

TOW #27: TOW Reflection

AP English Language and Composition has without a doubt improved my writing skills. This is most obvious in my weekly TOWs which I have been adding to all year. At the beginning of the year, I thought that these blog posts needed to have a specific formulaic structure. I had never had a blog before, which was part of the problem, but I also did not realize how much transitions and good flow affected a piece. It was not something I was fully aware of at that point in time. My first TOW post was about the war that was then occurring in Syria. I didn't know much about it, so it was interesting to learn, but over time I realized I could be so much more creative and branch out with my posts. They did not all have to be responding to the headlining political news story of the week. I believe that the introduction in this first post was fairly strong, but my conclusions were still weak and ineffective. Rather than ending with a creative statement, I formed a bland sentence depicting how the article related to me. It is obvious, to me at least, that my conclusions among other things improved dramatically in the second marking period. For my TOW from December 15, I responded to an article on a selfie that Obama had recently taken. This article had traces of politics, like the my first TOW, but it was more entertaining to right, and more based in America's cultural changes than government decisions. By this point in my writing, I had started to focus a lot more on my flow and style. This post was definitely a lot stronger than the previous one in that respect. Also, rather than concluding with my straightforward opinion on the article, I incorporated a societal view into my writing and connected my personal thoughts to the situation. So rather than saying that I liked the article, I instead brought it around to honoring the deceased, Nelson Mandela. In the third and most recent marking period, I believe that I wrote one of my best TOWs yet. It was my 20th TOW and I was writing it in response to my IRB: Eat, Pray, Love. This book was amazing, which probably helped me to write a stronger response, but it also included a lot of rhetoric on the narrator's part. I believe that that post displayed the improvement that took place throughout my junior year journey. I had a well- thought out thesis, which outlined my essay, allowing an organization that did not exist previously. This change drastically benefited the flow of my piece. My conclusion was also stronger and less forced than it had ever been. In all of my responses, I could definitely still improve the transitions between ideas, but that skill has come a long way since September. While tedious at times, I do think this regular writing exercise has forced me to address issues with my writing that I otherwise would not have. It has made my writing more effortless and I am grateful for that improvement.

TOW #26: "What Your Name Says About How Believable You Are," Matti Vuorre

Growing up with a name like "Kayleigh," with all those silent letters, there have been many a time where people had to repeat it back to me a few times before they finally mastered it. I personally do not think it's hard to pronounce, but the world seems to disagree with me. I have never believed that this difficulty with pronunciation and memorability could mean something else for how I am perceived.  In the article, "What Your Name Says About How Believable You Are," by Matti Vuorre, I realized that people may think me a liar due to reasons as simple as my name. The article opens with the word "imagine," clearly in order to provide a hypothetical situation for audiences. This creation of a real life situation allows readers to put themselves in the context of the argument. By asking people what they would do, Vuorre is able to potentially support the article with that evidence. Reader's gut reaction would probably be to pick the easier name to say, whether they realize it or not.After that, the author made a comparison to turtles, saying that "if I told you that turtles are deaf, unless you are an expert in sea-dwelling reptiles, you probably have little information to help you decide whether the statement is true or false." By comparing this issue to turtles (something many people know a lot about), Vuorre is able to aid with comprehension for everyone reading this article. Finally, the author includes a personal anecdote, describing events from his life as a recent immigrant to the United States. By keeping this story in the piece, it adds an appeal to ethos because it shows he has experienced the struggle of a difficult name and the hardships it entails. This article was very well written and spoke to me, as I remember all of the substitute teachers that butchered my name. This information is solely based on studies, so it could be a coincidence, but if there is ever a situation where you have to pick from two otherwise equal candidates, remember that you could be unknowingly biased based on name.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-your-name-says-about-how-believable-you-are/?WT.mc_id=SA_Facebook

TOW #25: "The Media Has a Woman Problem," Liza Mundy

The inequality between men and women in the workplace has always been a sensitive issue. Even though all American citizens have equal rights under the law, men still continue to have an advantage in many places. For example, men get paid more than women, even now in the 21st century. In her article, "The Media Has a Woman Problem," author, Liza Mundy, is trying to convey to audiences that there are many women that have important careers (journalism, science fields), and those women are not being represented as the majority of the field. Men still have a hold on most industries, despite the best efforts of women. Statistics, along with an appeal to authority, help Mundy achieve her purpose. The author references many studies and a lot of research in order to prove her point. "For decades, nearly half of law students have been women, but while they make up 64 percent of staff lawyers they are just 17 percent of equity partners at top firms, according to the National Association of Women Lawyers." Without evidence like this, Mundy's whole argument would not have any support. These studies are based on fact, and therefore are more difficult to refute. Along with strengthening her argument with evidence, these stats and studies also make the article more credible because they appeal to authority. By stating that the study was completed by the National Association of Women Lawyers, the study gains more credibility, as does the piece in general. Liza Mundy did a really good job in sharing the difference between women and men in careers like law, journalism, and STEM. Without the appeal to logos and appeal to ethos, this article would not have been nearly as strong or credible.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/opinion/sunday/the-media-has-a-woman-problem.html?ref=opinion

IRB Intro Post: 4th Marking Period

For the duration of this marking period, I will be reading Bossypants, by Tina Fey. I am very excited to start this book! I have heard nothing but good things from friends that have read it, and Tina Fey is one of the funniest people, so I'm sure it will be great. I also really look up to her, so I can't wait to learn more about her life and how she got to where she is today! 

http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2011/04/tina-feys-new-book.html

TOW 24: Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (IRB)

The idea that a yearlong vacation can change someone so much is truly unbelievable. As I followed Elizabeth Gilbert on her journey from New York to Italy, to India, and finally Indonesia, I was thoroughly impressed by the gradual change you could see in her. And I felt it too. The things that she realized in the year were so insightful that they caused me to look at the world a little differently and made me think of the control I have over my own life. After Gilbert left Italy, her sarcastic tone (thankfully!) continued. Richard from Texas quickly became my favorite character when he showed up at the ashram in India, when he perfectly explained soul mates to her, saying that "a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life" (149). I believe the whole purpose of the book is not only to share a personal experience that the author underwent, but also to assist readers on their own personal journeys, while sharing what she has learned. I didn't travel anywhere while reading, but I felt like I did. One way Gilbert achieves her purpose is by speaking to herself in the book. She had many conversations with herself that make the entire ordeal more personal. "When I get lonely these days, I think: So BE lonely, Liz. Learn your way around loneliness. Make a map of it. Sit with it, for once in your life. Welcome to the human experience. But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilled yearnings.” She is opening the door to her soul, he conscience and allowing complete strangers to absorb it. Through this transparency, a personal connection is made for readers, making it easier to relate to Gilbert as a person. When an author shares all the thoughts that are usually left hidden, the reader begins to trust more in what the author is saying. This connection is crucial for the understanding of life that Gilbert brings, and is reinforced throughout the book. Elizabeth Gilbert also uses rhetorical questions in her book to make the readers question their own lives. This device is great for prompting reflection in readers. This question about love made me think about society as a whole. Gilbert wrote, "people always fall in love with the most perfect aspects of each other’s personalities. Who wouldn’t? Anybody can love the most wonderful parts of another person. But that’s not the clever trick. The really clever trick is this: Can you accept the flaws? Can you look at your partner’s faults honestly and say, ‘I can work around that. I can make something out of it?' Because the good stuff is always going to be there, and it’s always going to pretty and sparkly, but the crap underneath can ruin you." Without the use of questioning, I would not have felt like the book was about me or my personal journey at all. With this device, the book became about everyone, not just Liz Gilbert. This book was one of my favorite books ever. This might sound cliche, but I see things differently than I used to, I'm more understanding of my faults and more aware of my actions. Also, I wouldn't mind a vacation to Italy, India, or Indonesia right now!

http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2010/ETPLV.php

TOW #23: "Civilization’s Starter Kit," Lewis Dartnell

When thinking about the idea of civilization, it is hard to imagine how much is truly involved. As a human, one might be an expert at one subject, and clueless when it comes to another. This disconnect could cause issues if there was ever a situation where humans needed to rebuild civilization. In his opinion article, "Civilization's Starter Kit," published in the New York Times, author, Lewis Dartnell addresses the skills and ideas that are crucial to the success of a civilization. In order to explain the importance and broadness of society, Dartnell uses rhetorical questioning and makes an appeal to authority. In the article, the main question that the author asks is "what key principles of science and technology would be necessary to rebuild our world from scratch?" This question is important because it forces readers to think about what humans would actually need. It is not as simple as the recipe to a pie or knowing how to do multiplication. He also asks, "who has any real understanding of where their last meal came from or how the objects in their pockets were dug out of the earth and transformed into useful materials?" By asking these questions, Dartnell is clearly sharing his purpose. In order to convince the audience to agree with that purpose, he includes a quote stated by Richard Feynman, a famous physicist. Feynman is not stupid, and because the quote backs up Dartnell's stance, it helps his argument overall. This article was very interesting in my opinion, and it accomplished the purpose of making me think about all that goes into society. It also effectively touched on what is most important in civilizations, which is important to know if the I ever have to rebuild society.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/opinion/sunday/civilizations-starter-kit.html?ref=opinion

TOW #22: "A toddler, a cupcake, and a mob of critics," Ruben Navarrette

Featured on the hit talk show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, just the other day was an adorable video that had went viral, showing a young boy asking his mother for a cupcake. The child was so cute, trying everything he could to get the cupcake, He was very persistent and determined, giving all the viewers a laugh. When I saw this video, I thought that it was the cutest, and I thought his attitude showed intelligence and independence. Others though, thought that the child, and his family members, were wrong in the duration of the video. That is the issue that Ruben Navarrette addresses in the CNN article, "A toddler, a cupcake, and a mob of critics." I agree with Navarrette's piece completely. The message I got through the article was that people have no right to make assumptions and be hateful based off of a popular home video. The first thing that the author does is addresses the fact that not everyone jumped straight to judging and insulting the cideo. It was clear, after Navarrette shared his own opinion, that from what he saw, many people were very supportive and positive about the clip. It was an adorable video, meant for nothing but a little chuckle, and most audiences viewed it that way. The article targets those that weren't positive. Those that saw the video and decided to post their opinion on what an awful mother Linda is, or how disrespectful the child, Mateo, is, or how they must be living in an abusive household. The fact that these type of conclusions are jumped to based off of a video astounds me. Navarrette uses a lot of questioning throughout his piece, asking, "What kind of world do we live in?" and "Do you see the trouble you've caused, little Mateo?" This questioning forces readers to think about how we react to these situations. It forces readers to question the stereotypes that exist, and it forces audiences to realize that stereotypes are crazy. For commentors to blame a toddler, and call him disrespectful without knowing him is awful. While some people were upset with the story, Ellen loved it. She invited the boy onto her show and awarded him with cupcakes. The article ends with a beautiful line, "this story reminds us what the world needs. More empathy. More respect. More compassion. And more Ellens." So remember to think before you comment. It may be on the Internet for the world to see, but that does not make it your business.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/opinion/navarrette-boy-cupcake/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

TOW #21: American Gothic, Grant Wood

When many people see the painting, American Gothic, they think of the icon that it is today, and do not look too closely at the details. Since its creation in 1930, this painting has grown extremely popular among people everywhere, able to be recognized with only a glance. Looking closely at this canvas though, it is clear that each stroke and color was chosen for a reason by the artist, Grant Wood. Wood drew the house that is in the background first, after one he had seen before, and then he drew the people in front of it. Interestingly, the woman in the portrait is based off of his sister, while the man in the portrait is based off of his dentist. In this painting, Wood is able to effectively showcase a realistic American couple (during that time period) through his use of neutral colors and sharp realism. Through his color choices, Grant was able to convey to the audience exactly what he wanted to. This piece was created when many things were happening involving the United States. The Depression had just destroyed America, and the nation was about to enter into another long and devastating war. By choosing neutral browns and grays over bright blues and neon greens, Wood was able to portray a modest couple. The understated blues and greens in the picture were there to make the scene look believable, but they were dulled down, as was everything in the image. Similarly, the facial expressions of the husband and wife were toned down. They were not happy, as they probably had been working hard all day, without much free time to have fun. The world was a little stricter than, as money was tight and hard work was necessary. The people shown are not beautiful. They are not the Hollywood stars that are seen in magazines in doctors' offices across the nation. They are not airbrushed or botoxed. They do though, look real. By painting his characters to be average-looking among, rather than America's idea of beautiful, Wood created a couple that could honestly live in that farm house. He made a story that was possible for his viewers. This image is not abstract; it is straightforward, so that anyone who sees it can understand it right away. By using toned-down colors and realistic attributes, Grant Wood achieved the ever-changing, "typical" American couple of his time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grant_Wood_-_American_Gothic_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

TOW #20: Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (IRB)

The desire to experience new ideas, travel to foreign places, and forget preconceived notions is not an uncommon one. This urge is intensified when one is unhappy with their current life. It is sometimes completely necessary to take a step back from reality, from the relationship issues, the expectations that come with age. 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 and rhetorical questioning, Gilbert shares her story of overcoming depression and breaking the harmful cycle. This memoir then has the ability to help other victims of depression find similar solutions. 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 though, 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. Depression and loneliness are not easy emotions to explain without the use of figurative language. Along with figurative language, Elizabeth Gilbert uses rhetorical questions to explain her experiences in struggling to find herself. "What was the root of all this despair? Was it psychological?...Was it just temporal, a 'bad time' in my life?...Was it genetic?...Was it cultural?" (49). In order to solve the problem, Gilbert believe she had to find where it came from. I think that this moment was the start of her journey. When she started questioning where the sadness came from, she recognized and accepted that it was there. Later in the book, she again questions depression. In the beginning, Gilbert shared with audiences that one of the reasons her marriage fell apart was a difference of opinion on having children. Gilbert asks, "But what if, either by choice or by reluctant necessity, you end up not participating in this comforting cycle of family and continuity? What if you step out? Where do you sit at the reunion? How do you mark time's passage without the fear that you've just frittered away your time on earth without being relevant?" (95). The insecurities that many people have about children are highlighted here in Gilbert's writing. 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. While I can relate to this book fairly well, I believe that a more connected audience would be middle-aged women, like Gilbert. The people that have gone through the same experiences will clearly feel stronger about the book. As the reader, I feel like I am learning about myself as the author learns about herself. This book has caused me to look at how I am living my life and if the things I do are what I want. We are about to leave Italy, and I can not wait to see what India has in store.

http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/eat-pray-love/

TOW #19: "Olympic Winter Games have damaging effect on Sochi's environment," Geert Groot Koerkamp

Every 4 years, the most talented athletes from all around the world unite in one city to fight for the most prestigious titles in their sport. Whether it is summer or winter, these strong competitors will give the games all they have in order to get gold. This year, 2014, Sochi, Russia was given the incredible honor to host this inspiring event. To make this year as memorable as possible, the Russian government put in loads of money and energy, the most expensive Olympics to date. Money was not the only cost the games created though. The consequences that this extravagance had on the environment proved to be even worse. The arenas, stadiums, and training facilities that are constructed every four years truly take a toll on the surrounding areas. In the article, "Olympic Winter Games have damaging effect on Sochi's environment," the author Geert Groot Koerkamp uses elaborate imagery and juxtaposition to explain the wildlife preserve that was diminished by the construction for the Olympics. "Behind the sign is a large pond with ducks and other water birds, surrounded by bare terrain with sparse, recently planted vegetation. On all sides it's surrounded by residential areas built to host athletes and journalists. If anything, this ‘ornithological park' is reminiscent of a large urban pond." Following this statement, Koerkamp goes on to describe the piece of land as it once was, "a mixture of agricultural land and wetlands of great importance to birds and rare plants." By using the words "bare" and "sparse" the author is able to create a desolate atmosphere and tone for readers. The later mentioned "agricultural land" of "great importance" contrasts sharply with the previous idea. Later in the article, Koerkamp uses an anecdote, provided by a woman who lived near the construction, named Tatyana. She was not happy with the destruction of her home, nor with the lack of consideration that was paid to her. By including this authentic story, the author makes the article easier to relate to and more genuine. The opinion of Tatyana supports his claim, that the construction for the 2014 Olympics has deteriorated the environment. The purpose in writing this article was to inform audiences that money is not the only cost of the Olympics. While these competitions are a wonderful presentation of talent and friendship, negative factors are involved that people should be aware of.

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/sports-olympics-2014-sochi.htm

http://www.dw.de/olympic-winter-games-have-damaging-effect-on-sochis-environment/a-17449525

TOW #18: RENT poster

Among the list of great contemporary musicals, one stands out as potentially more authentic and meaningful. That musical is Rent. Rent is a musical about a group of friends living together in New York City in the early 1990s. This show addresses heavy issues, like AIDS/HIV, homosexuality, and poverty, among others. The poster for this show highlights the eight leads, Angel, Collins, Mimi, Roger, Benny, Maureen, Joanne, and Mark. All of the characters have their own picture (except for Maureen and Joanne) that seems to give them a sense of characterization without any words. Angel is dressed in bright colors, and surrounded by red to show her brightness of expression. Mark's image is tinted blue to give a sense of loneliness to the picture. He is also holding his camera to represent how he video documents everything, which is one of the main plot points of the show. These little boxes create separate personas for the characters that come together to form a collage of color and personality on the poster. "RENT" is written on the poster is all caps, block lettering. This is straightforward and clear, not meant to be pretty or swirly. The title of the show is the most crucial part of the poster, and the font that was chosen says a lot about the show. The spray painted effect adds to the appearance of authenticity the show holds. Also, it tells audiences that the actors and directing team will not be sugar-coating anything. It is meant to be clear rather than vague. Rent is one of my favorite musicals, and I believe that this poster truly embodies the spirit and feel of the show. It gives off a casual but intense vibe, a difficult balance that is hard to accomplish. I do not believe in judging a book by a cover (or in this case a show by its poster) but I do think that good, realistic first impressions can only help a show, not hurt it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent_%28film%29

IRB Intro Post: 3rd Marking Period

For my independent reading book this marking period, I chose Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I chose this book because it was made into a movie a few years ago, which I really wanted to see. The movie stars Julia Roberts, who is one of my favorite actresses, which made me want to see it almost as much as the trailer did. I never did have the opportunity to see the movie though, and I am hoping that after I read the book, I will find the opportunity. This book seems to continue my trend of novel-like non-fiction, which is good because I find those books interesting and easier to relate to.

http://filmcrithulk.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/hulk-watch-eat-pray-love-for-you-assholes/

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TOW #17: "Essay: Philip Seymour Hoffman, an actor of moments big and small," Ann Hornaday

Today, the entertainment industry, and the whole world lost a great talent. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, an award-winning, iconic actor was found dead in his New York apartment. Many people will want to comment on the cause of his death, why he felt the need to overdose, but while that is important, it is also important to remember the great accomplishments and celebrate his life. In her essay, "Phillip Seymour Hoffman, an actor of moments big and small," Ann Hornaday does an impressive job of doing just that. Rather than writing an article about the drug overdose or the problems leading up to it, she wrote a beautiful memorial that showed the true character of Hoffman. Hornaday used examples of Hoffman's work, such as older films, like "Hard Eight," Oscar-winning ones, such as "Capote," and much more recent ones, like "The Ides of March" and "The Master." By giving a list of a few of the movies Hoffman has starred in, Hornaday creates a feeling that the actor was capable of any role. He could go from a quiet, soft-spoken man to a crazy cult-leader from movie to movie. The range of movies that he did show his versatility as an actor, and also shows that he was a part of many films in his career. When the author does touch on the drug overdose issue, she does so briefly. She compares his situation to others, saying "the same rhetoric swirled around Heath Ledger when he died in 2008, and Cory Monteith upon his death last July. The same myth has attached to such writers as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Eugene O’Neill..." Many other great and talented humans have looked to drugs or alcohol to find peace, which has ultimately killed them. The artists that the author has listed, like Hoffman, were very talented and put so much good work into the world. Hornaday's language was beautiful throughout the peace. One of the most powerful lines was when she stated that, "someone willing to take the psychic, emotional and even physical risks necessary to shape-shift into another individual, over and over again — leads them to seek numbness, whether to quiet the voices in their heads, heal their primal wounds or help the sensory and creative juices to flow..." The comparison of acting to shape-shifting really put into perspective, at least for me, the grating damage that career choice can have. In the next paragraph though, it is obvious that even though Hornaday is sympathetic, she will not romanticize the "tortured artist" image. I thought this was an extremely touching article of the life Phillip Seymour Hoffman led, and it really made me think about the consequences of fame.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/essay-philip-seymour-hoffman-an-actor-of-moments-big-and-small/2014/02/02/f43b2aba-8c51-11e3-95dd-36ff657a4dae_story.html

 

TOW #16: In My Brother's Image, Eugene L. Pogany (IRB)

As I continued with the book, In My Brother's Image, by Eugene L. Pogany, I became much more invested in the story. The way the book is structured; there are snapshot stories from the past, mixed in with events in the present. Due to the fact that this is a secondary source, rather than a primary source, the narrator of the book did not experience the events. Pogany chose to create two different story lines (past and present), to show the connection between his actions, and those of his father and his uncle. One moment, Pogany is telling the story of his uncle and father visiting a church as children, and the next moment, he is visiting a different place of worship himself. The parallels throughout are all very interesting, and readers can feel as though they are going on two separate journeys. One, with the young boys, and one with the adult narrator. It gives the book a truly authentic feel. Also structurally, Pogany chose to split the book into chapters, similar to the layout of a novel. I really liked this, especially because the author gave each chapter a name. Rather than naming them after subtopics that he would talk about, the titles of the chapters were very simple, while still extremely meaningful. Chapter 1, the Prologue, was titled "Sorrow in Search of Memory" (1). In contrast, Chapter 6 was titled "Exile" (93). I think these chapters set a tone for the book that would not be there otherwise. When you begin reading a chapter called, "Exile" or "Flight" it creates emotions for the readers. These simple words connect with some memory that every reader has, so it causes them to connect more to the story as well. Beneath the chapter names, the author placed allusions to other texts. One that stuck with me the most was the quote before the last chapter. "'Go, summon Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses...They know how to mourn.' Louis Ginzberg, 'The Great Lament' in Legends of the Jews" (305). The title of the chapter was "Remembrance." I thought the allusions definitely added to the tone that Pogany was aspiring towards, and with all the pieces together, I truly think he accomplished that tone. I enjoyed this book, especially because it was written like a story, similar to my last IRB. I also liked it because it held a lot of history and culture. I would recommend this book to all audiences. 

http://compellingjewishstories.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-my-brothers-image-twin-brothers.html

TOW #15: "AT&T’s new data cap 'deal' is just another weapon against regulation," Art Brodsky

With every passing day, technology is getting more complex, growing more advanced, and opening many doors for innovation. It is an extremely large market right now, that is making millions of dollars on improved gadgets, year after year. AT&T, a large technology provider, is a leading company that has been a very large player in cellular devices and advances in data. In the article, "AT&T's new data cap 'deal' is just another weapon against regulation," the author, Art Brodsky brings up a new cap created by AT&T, that allows for extended data. He obviously does not have a very positive opinion about AT&T. He uses statistics in order to portray his opinion. For example, he says, "when AT&T's 2011 takeover of T-Mobile failed and the company had to cough up $4 billion in break-up fees plus more billions worth of spectrum, the company didn't blink." The company has enough money to pay for a bail out like that, and every year they come out with a new product and take more consumer dollars. Brodsky also uses the comparison of two quotes, one from a phone company owner, the other said by a Congressman. These quotes were extremely similar to each other. This comparison extends the idea that cellphone companies are running our country, just like our Congressmen/women. Either way, the money of the people is not being looked after. The way technology is going, every year you need to replace your recently purchased device. The system is a con. Also, many devices are only compatible with other products from that company, or even made especially for that product. This way, the companies gain more revenue with every little new idea. I believe that Art Brodsky brought up some good points in his article, making it seem as though some technology is just a scam. I think we just have to be careful what we spend our money on, and know all of the details.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/01/op-ed-atts-new-data-cap-deal-is-just-another-weapon-against-regulation/

TOW #14: Ambler Alley of the Arts Mural

Off of the main street of a tiny Pennsylvania town, this mural splashes against the white exterior of Act II Playhouse, a professional acting theater. This tiny road is known around town as the "Alley of the Arts." Ambler is a town that is full of art and entertainment, and right next to this larger-than-life piece of artwork is Addicted 2 Dance, a popular dance studio. Fitting right? Especially because the mural depicts three different genres of dance, and a scene from a play. There is also an artist painting a masterpiece and a singer strumming out some tunes on his guitar. The whole wall is bright and colorful, which creates an air of expression. Forms of art may be very different, but things like dance, music, theater, and fine art are all forms of expression. The colors represent the variety of outlets for creativity. The people that are depicted in the piece are all different. This diversity symbolizes the idea that every person, no matter their appearance, can present the world with something beautiful in the arts. Art is not about the artist. It is about what the artist is able to create. I believe that the purpose of this mural is to spread the importance, along with the joy, of the arts. In a world where art funding is cut in schools nationwide, it is crucial to ensure that the power of creativity is still spread. Dancing, acting, and singing are pretty major aspects of my life, so it is even more special to me that the artist dedicated this wall to those things. Also, as I said before, the image is located right near a dance studio and a theater, so the pedestrian public can view the mural and connect the picture to their surroundings. I believe that this bright mural does a fantastic job of presenting the arts in a true form. The painting is one of my favorite parts of town, and I love being able to see it as I walk out of dance class.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harpo42/4101526965/?rb=1