TOW 32: Crazy Sexy Cancer, cont'd

In a more recent interview, Kris Carr, director and main character of the documentary, explained the title, Crazy Sexy Cancer. "People don't think of putting those words together" and in doing so, she changed the way people thought of cancer. The stigma of having cancer no longer stung as much and Kris showed other women that you can still have cancer and be beautiful and sexy and resilient, and that is the main claim Kris makes in her documentary. I think it's a wonderful thing to do ― to offer solace and comfort to other women with cancer, at the expense of her own image ― and I agree that you can have cancer and still feel and look beautiful and valuable. 
From the very beginning, even before watching the documentary, the audience is hit with a powerful claim and that claim is: you are crazy and sexy, with or without cancer. She makes sure to prove this claim true by documenting her long and eventful journey with cancer, showing the good, the bad, and the ugly. By the end of the film, the audience is left with a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment, not because they did anything, but because Kris Carr found herself and realized her self-importance by the end of the film and those sentiments transferred through to the audience.  

TOW 31: Crazy Sexy Cancer, a Documentary

Crazy Sexy Cancer. Dir. Kris Carr. Perf. Kris Carr. Cactus Three, 2007. DVD. Crazy Sexy Cancer. The
  Learning Channel (TLC), 2001. Web. 25 May 2013.

Crazy Sexy Cancer is a film that tells the story of resilient Kris Carr's battle with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma cancer, a vascular cancer in the lining of the blood vessels in her liver and lungs. Kris's life is turned upside down after a trip to the doctor's, where she learned she had a rare and incurable cancer. Despite its rarity, Kris is told by the doctor to wait and monitor the cancer for two months to see if the tumors grow and metastasize or remain the same. Even after this devastating piece of news, Kris refuses to accept this piece of news as the end-all-be-all and decides to explore other alternative methods to fight her cancer. The documentary shows the progression, not just of the status of the cancer, but also of Kris Carr's mindset, starting from sad and hopeless to excited and optimistic.
Although Crazy Sexy Cancer is directed by Kris Carr, herself, and is ultimately about her personal journey, this documentary includes anecdotes that better help characterize who Kris Carr really is. She mentions her past-self as the crazy, carefree girl, landing gigs such as one for a Superbowl commercial. By Kris sprinkling little pieces of herself here and there in the film, the audience members are allowed to see a more rounded person, not just Kris Carr, the girl with cancer. We get to see Kris Carr, the party-er, Kris Carr, the daughter, and so on.
Throughout the documentary, especially in tough moments, Kris Carr is often found asking herself rhetorical questions. Questions along the lines of "am I really gonna die?", "will I be able to find love with this cancer?" These rhetorical questions, though Kris asks herself, forces the audience to ponder these questions as well, even though most of them probably do not have cancer. By Kris Carr asking such questions, the audience is able to sympathize with her and imagine a scenario in which the audience members are in similar situations and how they would feel and react to this news.

TOW 30: Reflection

Looking back and reading three TOW's from three different marking periods, I have noticed a progression in my writing. In the beginning, I was so bent on following the requirements exactly as it stated on the paper, it showed through my writing: rigid, choppy, too formal. But as the months passed and I became used to writing a TOW assignment each week, I slowly abandoned the requirements paper, summarizing, adding the author's purpose, integrating the rhetorical devices used, and began posting true "blog" posts. Comparing my first post about a murder to my most recent post about how to anger New Yorkers, the tone of the writing has become much more casual and fluid yet informative, nonetheless.
After writing nearly thirty TOW's, I think I have mastered the "blog"-like aspect of my writing. The posts are similar in style to that of professional writers who post things on their own websites. My writing has loosened up and it has a more conversational tone, which makes the reading less boring and more enjoyable to read, yet I am able to add the necessary pieces that make a TOW, TOW. However, there are still many things I can improve upon. After working with rhetorical devices throughout the year, I have familiarized myself with new rhetorical terms and devices; however, I am still shaky when it comes to identifying less obvious devices in news articles, videos, and political cartoons. I tend to revert back to using the "easy" devices, like rhetorical questioning, parallel structure, or one of the three, overused ethos, logos, pathos.
In my opinion, I felt that the purpose of the TOW assignments (and what I got out of them) was to broaden our (the students') horizon in terms of reading materials. Most of us have a preference when it comes to genres and we usually stick to them. But these TOW assignments, I feel like, have forced me to seek non-fiction material that would not only help us in our AP exam, but also make us more aware and participating citizens of our community.These assignments were beneficial and I feel as though I got my purpose out of doing these every week. It helped me not only with my writing but also with my awareness of what is going on in the world.

TOW 29: How To Piss Off Every New Yorker in 36 Seconds

BuzzFeedVideo is back with another video and this time, it's a DIY on how to piss off New Yorkers. This video is comical and concise, letting the audience enjoy this form of satire without having to sit through a long video in which someone pretends to understand a New Yorker's mentality by listing off the ways to anger them. BuzzFeedVideo has a timer running in the corner of the screen, really keep their word on the "36 second" part of the title. With simple editing, large font, and an enthusiastic subject, this video is fun, entertaining, and most importantly: TRUE. Although this satirized and poked fun at New Yorkers as well as those who piss off such New Yorkers (tourists, anyone?), this video was true in every aspect. The producers of this video successfully sent a subliminal message to its audience, followers of this channel, telling them what to avoid when in New York.

TOW 28: Cheating

"Coffee on a Tuesday and Vlog twenty-six!"

So starts another vlog (video blog), this time, with Evan Puschak, web producer for MSNBC, talking about cheating. Evan's main thesis for this vlog is simple and true: we are cheaters because of society's expectations of us and therefore the phrase, "cheaters never win" is utterly and absolutely incorrect. Evan conveys this sad truth with the use of credible sources, citing Rutgers University's 1997 study on cheating as well as providing a concise and easy to understand analysis of his evidence. His target audience, subscribers of his Youtube channel (Theenerdwriter1), is given a reality check and then urged to ponder this case. He does not ask us to change as he probably knows that no one will ever stop cheating, whether it be on a test, paper, or even significant other. Evan ends the video, just asking as rhetorical question to make us think about this even after the video is over.

TOW 27: White House Correspondents' Dinner

Recently. Washington, D.C. held its annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. President Obama last night joined Conan O'Brien onstage at the Washington Hilton for the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, and gave his fifth address to the organization of journalists who cover the White House. During most of his address, President Obama had a light and humorous tone, making sarcastic and comical remarks against himself as well as others (CNN). A spoof promo was also shown to the audience, based on Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln." This mode of satire was entertaining and its point easy to understand. Though the WHC Dinner was entertaining and light-hearted, President Obama did not forget to address one of his main purposes: reminding the audience of the important role the media plays in American society, especially during times of crisis such as the Boston Marathon bombing and the Texas Explosion. President Obama commends the media for being patient and making sure to relay correct and valid information to the public.

TOW 26: The Tipping Point - Intro

In the introduction of his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell defines a tipping point as "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point." He then goes about introducing the main premise of the book, which is to explain the surprising phenomena of sociological changes that mark everyday life. Of how Hush Puppies went from being an almost out-of-business company to an overnight sensation, top-industry company that was in the ranks of Donna Karen and Calvin Klein; of how the crime rate in New York went from being at an all time high to an all time low. Gladwell uses straight up facts and statistics to create a credible foundation for his narrative. His tone is straightforward and candid yet inquisitive and curious, narrating as if he is discussing and speculating the topics at hand with the reader. Gladwell does this to inform the readers - to bring awareness to these mysterious tipping points, what they are and why they happen, and he does this effectively and in an interesting manner. 

TOW 25: When One Door Closes, Another Opens...

The saying, "when one door closes, another door opens," is often offered up in a gesture of condolences and comfort. However, in one of  US News' recent political cartoons, that saying had a different meaning in mind. In recent news, North Korea has been the source of much political tension. With constant (but harmless?) threats of starting war with its southern half of the country or blowing up the western part of the world, the United States has been forced to take part of this unwanted dispute. Walt Handelsman, author of the cartoon, is trying to show his audience, followers of the current political situation, that it never ends for America. Just when things were starting to look optimistic, what with the calming of Afghanistan and pulling out our troops, America is forced to get involved into yet another foreign dispute. The "when one door closes, another opens" saying is clearly not meant for optimism, the "one door closes" referring to Afghanistan and the "another" door referring to North Korea. Handelsman concisely and effectively got his point across, illustrating in an easy to understand manner.

TOW 24: Rachel Maddow on Sandy Hook and Sexist Politicians

Rachel Maddow, political commentator and talk show host on MSNBC, informed the audience, politically curious people, with new details of the Sandy Hook shooting that were uncovered by the Hartford Courant. She brought up an astounding statistic: the killer shot 152 bullets in less than five minutes. All it took was five minutes to kill 26 people. Maddow adds credibility to her news segment by listing shocking statistics that put things into perspective as well as citing credible people such as Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. On the topic of gun control, Maddow showed a tense exchange between Ted Cruz and senator Feinstein about guns. Maddow's ultimate purpose of this episode was to bring to light the condescending and sexist ways of some incompetent politicians. "Let the record show that you can be a United States Senator for 21 years, you can be 79-years-old, you can be the chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and one of the most recognizable and widely respected veteran public servants in your nation, but if you are female while all of other those things, men who you defeat in arguments will still respond to you by calling you hysterical and telling you to calm down," Maddow stated.
Maddow did an excellent job keeping the audience's attention whilst presenting facts in a concise yet informative manner. She added her own thoughts and opinions to certain things but she did not let her bias rule the facts. She was unbiased and fair and made rather valid points.

TOW 23: Emancipating Lincoln

After finishing Emancipating Lincoln by Harold Holzer, author and Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I was able to examine the impact of Lincoln’s momentous announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation during the pivotal moment in the American Civil War. Using original, primary sources, Holzer analyzes Lincoln’s modern manipulation of the media—the various ways in which he withheld, leaked, and promoted the Proclamation—in order to make his society-altering announcement applicable to America. Holzer's main purpose was to shed light about not just the factual aspect of the Emancipation Proclamation, but also the story behind it. What the political and social climate was at that time; the various responses from the American people; Lincoln's true motives. And Holzer accomplishes all of this by citing credible, original sources that establish a sense of ethos.

TOW 22: Expectant Parents Killed, Baby Survives

A midnight car crash in Brooklyn resulted in the death of Nathan and Raizy Glauber, both 21 years old. They were on their way to Long Island College Hospital for a wellness check when a BMW crashed into the side of the cab the couple was in. Although both victims were pronounced dead at two different hospitals, a Cesarian section was performed to save the baby. Erinn Cawthon, news assistant at CNN, used  fairly little "flowery" literary devices. She was concise and straightforward, presenting the facts in a easy-to-follow manner. Cawthon cited higher personnel, such as spokesmen for the New York City Police Department. These quotes made the article more credible and believable. Things weren't added just to make the article more shocking and interesting. Cawthon's main purpose of this article was to inform active news readers and CNN followers of a tragedy that occurred in New York. It seemed as though she tried to provoke a sense of pity and sadness from the readers, trying to make them realize that a child will now spend the rest of his life not knowing his parents. She conveys the joy of a birth and the loss of lives. This juxtaposition of life and death helped to establish Cawthon's purpose and make the article interesting.

TOW 21: Roles Reversal

Christopher Golebiowski, a Swedish artist, illustrates how things would look if animals had humans for pets. He shows this rather frankly, using exaggeration to raise the question: are what humans doing really just and humane? The audience, followers of Golebiowski or art enthusiasts, are forced to see how degrading humans can be to animals. We treat animals as mere objects that we use for our own entertainment and needs. Golebiowski uses bright, contrasting colors to make his point. For instance, he uses the color red to really emphasize the blood, the cruel and gruesome ways the animals are treating the animals. It draws the audience's attention to how humans kill and skin animals for food without much thought, and how cruelly humans mutilate and abuse animals to death just for the sake of doing so. Golebiowski personifies these animals, making them into butchers, owners who make their pets participate in dog competitions, and normal citizens who view animals as mere things that don't need respect. His purpose is to, ultimately, show the harsh reality of the way humans treat animals. It seems as though Golebiowski wants the audience to know what they're doing is not okay and to make them reevaluate their actions. He establishes his purpose effectively with these drawings, capturing the hearts and attentions of everyone who comes across his work.

TOW 20: Thoughts from Places

In this vlog post (video blog) by the vlogbrothers, John Green, young adult novelist and educator, talks about what it means to drive north instead of west, going home, growing up, and being an adult. He briefly revels in the past, thinking of how all his old trips took him west, partly because that's where all the open space was in America and partly because of this line in one of John Green's favorite book, All The King's Men: "For west is where we all plan to go someday. It is where you go when the land gives out and the old field pines encroach. It is where you go when you get the letter saying 'flee, all is discovered.' It is where you go when you look down at the blade in your hand and the blood on it. It is where you go when you are told that you are a bubble on the tide of empire." John Green talks with the purpose of sharing his experience of becoming an adult; he tells his viewers, anyone from an adolescent to an adult interested in John and Hank Green's thoughts and ideas, although traveling across the country is a fun and exciting thing to experience, home is the most important place. John Green uses a quote from one of his favorite novels to further his point. The quote basically serves as the couple of sentences that sum of all of his ideas and feelings. He also adds anecdotes, where he's traveled, his experiences as a youth, to paint a backdrop for his story. These anecdotes allows for the viewers to understand where John is coming from. He evokes a sense of nostalgia from the viewers even though they many have never experienced road trips to Arthur, Nebraska, home of the world's smallest courthouse, or the Grand Canyon. This nostalgia allows for the viewers to understand and accept John Green's purpose, which is to appreciate home. Appreciate life and the things it gives you.






DFTBA

TOW 19: Emancipating Lincoln

Harold Holzer, author and Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, introduces the three main topics of the book, Emancipating Lincoln: 1) the bow of promise, 2) the concept of Emancipator versus Pettifogger, and 3) sacred effigies. He brings up the controversies that shrouds former President Lincoln in a cloud of uncertainty - controversies such as: was Lincoln really an emancipator? Did Lincoln really support anti-slavery? What were Lincoln's true motives for emancipation? And Holzer does this by asking rhetorical questions. He brings up a topic of interest by asking a question and gives an answer with an answer. This effective use of the rhetorical device allows for the reader, anyone interested in Lincoln and the era of the Civil War where the start of emancipation and civil rights was beginning to bud, to address their own curiosities and continue to actively read through this kind of questioning. Holzer effectively establishes his arguments and illustrates an interesting narrative by citing authorities. He makes his statements (and even opinions) valid and credible by quoting important historical figures of that time period, such as Frederick Douglass.
The readers are allowed an alternate view of President Lincoln and the whole situation of emancipation. Holzer seems to establish his purpose, which is to bring up different perspectives of the Emancipation Proclamation (many, bad), while painting a vivid picture of that time period.

TOW 18: Lights Out, Ravens Beat 49ers

Super Bowl XLVII went out with a bang, the whole dome experiencing a power outage after Beyonce's electric and breathtaking half-time show. In the end, it would be the Baltimore Ravens and the older Harbaugh brother who would reign victorious. 
This article is presented in a rather straightforward manner by the Associated Press's Barry Wilner, a former CUNY of NYC graduate. He simply states what happened during the Super Bowl, highlighting the main events of Beyonce's thriller performance, the black out, and the Raven's impressive defense. Although this article is simple in structure, Wilner utilized the rhetorical device of imagery to add excitement. He illustrated the different plays made by both the Ravens and the 49ers, allowing the readers, those interested in football and especially the outcome of Superbowl XLVII, to relive or experience for the first time, those heart-stopping moments. In succinct sentences, Wilner delivered images in an exciting and real way. He also established his credibility with ethos. He showed that he is knowledgeable when it comes to football, supporting this sentiment with the use of football "lingo". 
I believe that Wilner effectively established his purpose, which in this case was to let others know who the won the Superbowl and how they won. There was a fast-paced vibe that could be felt in this article and it was exciting to read. 

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game in New Orleans, Feb. 3, 2013.

TOW 17 Rewrite: How to Live Without Irony

Christy Wampole, a columnist at New York Times, recently published an article that was, for the most part, aimed towards the so-called "hipsters". These "contemporary urban harlequins" who are living a life of irony, nostalgic for times they have never experienced and are partial to outdated fashions and hobbies. I feel as though this article was written in an appropriate time as this generation has been experiencing a growing phenomena of hipsters. A fad you could call it. Or even a cult. Wampole probably felt a need to address this growing number of hipsters emerging from every suburban corner and making their way to cities with obscure bars and farmers' markets.
It seemed like Wampole's targeted audience was not only those who identified themselves as hipsters, but also those like Wampole, herself. People who are afraid of giving sincere gifts because something about choosing a personal, meaningful gift is too intimate and too momentous. There is a belief that this generation has little to offer in terms of culture and originality. Medicines have already been invented, unknown planets have already been discovered, technology has already reached its pinnacle. This belief has made people feel as if they cannot give sincere, sentimental gifts. Why? Because it feels too intimate and momentous and they cannot bear the rejection they might feel if the receiver of the gift does not like it. This defensive behavior may come in forms of  "a kitschy painting from a thrift store" or "plastic Mexican wrestler figures". This is a form of self-defense. Instead of potentially running the risk of getting hurt because your friend does not like the gift of sincerity, you evade the whole situation all together. Hipsters and their outmoded fashions, you and your self-defensive gifts ―all forms of ironic living.
I think Christy Wampole did a good job of not only defining the modern-day hipster and how ironic his/her way of living is, but also adding a personal aspect to it with the use of anecdotes. Wampole mentioned how hipsters are not the only ones leading an ironic life. She, herself, is living ironically by her struggle of giving sincere gifts. Giving absurd and usually ridiculous gifts is a self-defensive behavior she, and most people today, has acquired. It made the article more relatable and less insulting. Wampole also utilized ethos in her article to make it more interesting and credible. She mentioned relevant and important facts such as the Berlin Wall and Generation X to support her article. 
Christy Wampole wrote a very interesting and very true article that captures the essence of what a "hipster" is. Her purpose was clear throughout the article and she lessened the blow (of insults) to hipsters by saying that she, herself, also has fallen victim to this growing fad.

TOW #16: The Power of the Dog, Cabal

Neil Gaiman, an established English author of novels, comic books, and films, wrote about the life and death of his dog and best friend, Cabal. Elements of pathos were used throughout Gaiman's recounting of how he first came to know, love, and trust Cabal. In the end of his blog post, he talks about how Cabal died and how Gaiman, himself, wasn't able to be there at the end. It was happy yet heartbreaking to read at the same time, and I was allowed a glimpse of the happiness and satisfaction Gaiman felt when he was with Cabal. Though this post was for anyone who followed Gaiman's blog, it seemed especially geared towards those with pets, specifically dogs. I could sense that he was trying to convey a subliminal message, which is to appreciate your pets. Love them and respect them and care for them, because they love you unconditionally. These animals bring out the best in you and the least you can do is to allow them to continue. I felt this message was made stronger by Gaiman's use of imagery. He set the scene so vividly, I felt as though I was in his backyard, watching him and his dog running around.
Gaiman did a terrific job celebrating and paying tribute to his best friend. His touching story made me realize how much I want a dog and hopefully, I will be able to adopt a best friend in the future.

TOW #15: Shawshank Redemption

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to (finally) watch "Shawshank Redemption", a short story written by Stephen King that was eventually adapted into a screenplay by Frank Darabont. Wrongly accused of murdering his wife and her lover, banker Andy Duframe is sentenced to life in prison. In Shawshank, Andy befriends Red, a man who is able to smuggle Andy a small hammer. Throughout the years, Andy builds a library and helps the prison workers with financial paperwork, gaining trust and respect from not only his fellow inmates, but also from the guards and the warden, himself. One day, a new inmate arrives, who tells another inmate that he killed a banker's wife and lover. When Andy finds out of this news, he tells the warden, who has the inmate shot. In the end, Andy escapes prison with the hammer Red smuggled for him and Red passes the parole board, the two men eventually reuniting in a Pacific Mexican town.
This movie's purpose seemed to convey two main ideas: hope never dies and persistence is key. Hope is something that belongs to its owner, and only its owner. If you have it, "nothing good ever dies". Also, you must be persistent. Andy was persistent in writing letters to the state in order to get funds to expand the prison library. After years of persistent writing, a check finally came as well as donations. These two main lessons seemed to really focus on those who might think they are at the end of the line, too close to the end with nowhere else to turn. King and Darabont effectively used pathos and ethos to make a poignant statement to their audiences. Inmates were either beaten to death or committed suicide because of everything being "too much" to handle. These deaths showed the audience that death was not the answer. No matter how hard and impossible some things may seems, if you are persistent and continue to have hope, things will work out. Maybe not now, but at some point. Ethos was used to support this unstated claim. Andy and Red eventually made it out of prison and found peace. It took over 20 years but it happened, nonetheless and the author and director wanted to show that the "good" will eventually come.