TOW #29: Letter To Future APELC Student

Dear Future APELC Student,

            Well, welcome to APELC! All I knew entering this class was that I genuinely enjoyed writing, and that I was known to be quite good at it as well. Through my summer work for this class, I was pushed to exceed different levels of writing and develop a new basis of skill building for writing. Mr. Yost assures you early on that this class is a marathon and that grades will not come easily. In prior years, I was generally a student who had little to no trouble formulating a well-written essay that would receive a high grade. Little did I know that I had much more to learn and improve on. The year started off with a summer essay rewrite, which at the time was the worst news I could have ever received. How was I going to survive in a class where the first assignment I turn in I bombed? To my surprise, not as bad as I had expected coming in. Something Mr. Yost said in the beginning that I will never forget was that, the essay grading scale does not go to 10, and he rarely would ever give out that high of a grade because “no essay is ever 100% perfect, you can always improve it in some aspect.” Throughout the year, I was able to improve on my writing abilities in multiple aspects; however, their was always something that could have been executed in a different, and sometimes more effective way. With the bad grade I received on my summer essay, I was able to meet with Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko and formulate a new, better essay. Through this process, I began to build upon the skills that I was lacking, and ultimately become a better writer. During my time in APELC, I was exposed to many new things that I had not been extremely familiar with in past classes. Symposiums, in-class essays, and long, in depth text analysis were not always ideal, and sometimes very stressful. Many of these tasks actually contributed greatly to my understanding of the concepts put forth in the class, as well as my personal success. As the year went on, I saw my essay scores begin to improve, and my ability to produce a well-written essay was becoming easier. The way I approached essays was completely altered this year as well. The class exposed me to different ways to analyze text, format essays, and concisely tie all my thoughts together. Whenever I struggled with an essay, I was able to begin with one of the many outlines discussed in class, and then meet with one of the teachers to get more ideas flowing and start to develop a final draft. My essay scores and final products eventually flourished into what I had been working for all along. On another note, while a lot of the work presented in class may seem grueling and unnecessary in regards to all the other work you have to do, a majority of the homework and class work actually greatly contributed to my understanding and the improvement of my skills. Socrates, Thoreau, and a ton of other passages that take hours to read and even longer to actually comprehend were horrible at the time, but in the grand scheme of things they really helped to broaden my learning experience. Another thing that will probably drive you crazy, but did contribute to my ability to analyze any text, was TOWs (which are blog posts due every Sunday). At the beginning of the year, I was on top of my TOWs. They were always in on time; they were long and in depth, and basically amazing. Towards the middle to the end of the year though, I would find myself remembering about my TOWs 5 minutes before they were due, or even the next day. While sometimes my best work was not always contributed to my blog posts, they kept refreshing my mind on how to pick out rhetorical devices and strategies and analyze texts. It is true that going into APELC you probably won’t receive the grades that you want and are used to, and that work will be long and annoying at times, but the skills you acquire will benefit you in many aspects of your life outside of APELC. Due to APELC my essays for other classes thrived and the skills and lessons will also greatly aid my college essays and other essays to come. With hard work and effort this class is fully manageable, trust me if I can do it, you probably can too! P.S. Participate in Toga Day!! It goes a lot faster than it feels, good luck!

Mady Foglia

TOW #28: Reflection

            As the year comes to a close, I look back on my TOWs with great accomplishment. Mostly this accomplished feeling is due to the fact that every TOW is in fact, this is there because almost every Sunday I would remember at 9:55, and usually not any earlier, that I had to post to my outstanding blog for AP English. Looking back on my TOWs in depth though, I can identify multiple aspects in which my writing and approaches have progressed. In the beginning, a lot of my analysis was forced and I utilized more examples than actually analyzing what strategies I was finding in the text or visual. As time progressed though, I noticed that I began to analyze the text and pictures more and really begin to focus on the deeper meaning and the message the author truly wanted to convey. Another part of my TOW writing that progressed was the range of rhetorical strategies I noticed and discussed in each post. Back in the earlier days of these posts, I usually geared my writing toward ethos, pathos, logos, and juxtaposition. Towards the end of my TOW posting experience I began to notice and apply a large range of devices. I feel that this progression was the most vital aspect that changed in my writing because it showed how my ability to observe and point out a variety of rhetorical devices in various amounts of texts and then form an effective analysis advanced over the year. I would say I am now able to identify at least one or more rhetorical devices in almost any text or visual put in front of me. Regardless of all the progress I feel that I have accomplished over the course of this year, there are still a few areas in which I still need to build on. I feel that I need to more concisely tie my ideas together and form a more coherent analysis. Also, I can see in my writing that I sometimes rush into the first device or point I see and run with it. The issue with this is that the rhetorical device that is most evident may not always be the best one to use, thinking more in depth about my selection of devices would benefit my writing and create an overall better piece. While although some of my best effort may not have been contributed to my TOWs they were an important piece of this class. The TOWs provided a way for me to constantly remind myself of the rhetorical devices and their effects, and also allowed me to be exposed to a vast majority of texts and therefore be more prepared the day of the exam. Even when I was struggling to finish my blog posts at 9:59, I knew that the repetition of the blog posting was helping to keep my brain working and discovering new ways to approach different texts. For the most part, I feel that the TOWs did benefit my experience because they taught me to keep my eyes open for rhetorical devices, even in the simplest ways.

Goodbye TOWs, it was a great time while it lasted!! (I can't say I'll definitely miss it though...)

TOW #27: College Rejection

    In an article on The Onion, there was a spoof on a "tragic story" of a boy, Kevin Grant, who didn't get into his first choice college and proceeded to go on with a positive attitude. The article went on to say that beyond Kevin's optimistic responses, that his life was over and he was now never going to go anywhere in his life. It claimed that resulting from this his social class will be lowered, he will never get a decent job, never be able to pay for a house or afford a family, his living standard will go down and his whole life will be completely changed for the worse. This article is a depiction of how much modern society stresses about the decisions of colleges and education in general. Students and parents put so much emphasis on getting into not only good schools, but the school of the kids choice. The large emphasis creates a "life or death" scenario in which a precedent is set that if the student does not get in, their life is over and there are no other viable options. This idea that has lingered over the present generations is ridiculous and proof that our society is moving more toward a materialistic, competitive one in which we isolate what we want and only work toward that in order to be "successful." I enjoyed this article because I feel it was an accurate depiction of the irrational behavior that overcomes many in the process of picking a college or job, and the precedent many believe that that choice sets for one's life.

TOW #26: Hawaii

     CNN recently launched an article on the progression of Hawaii's transition to 100% Renewable Energy. Being islands with so much natural resources such as water power, volcanoes, etc, Hawaii is the perfect state to start this challenge. They have already begun the transition with total of 23% of Hawaii already completely reliant on renewable energy. The islands hope to achieve the 100% by 2050. While that seems far in the future, they are aware that they have to pace themselves, regardless of already having a huge amount of renewable energy being utilized. The use of this renewable energy would be less expensive than the usage of natural gases and other forms of energy. Many parts of Hawaii though, are experiencing some issues with the full transition. On the actual island of Hawaii ("the Big Island') many hotels are hesitant to take this leap because they power their hotels using generators which run on fossil fuels. While although many parts aren't sure about the effectiveness of the full change, the change will come slowly but surely over time. Many other places around the world and cities in America have also attempted to go completely reliant on renewable energy and have been successful. Many find it important that eventually all states and countries get on board with the changes.
     This article appeals to logos due to the excessive amount of statistics utilized throughout it to depict the changes occurring and the timeline of the project. It also appeals to ethos because many knowledgable people are cited that are experts in the fields of energy and environment.

TOW #25: Football

This political cartoon is representative of the Super Bowl this past year. There was a popular incident in which many believed the Patriots deflated the ball on purpose to help them win the game. Many contradictions were posed in result of this assumption all surrounding the upcoming Super Bowl. This cartoon shows the assumption that the referee was in on the scheme and allowed the ball to have low pressure regardless of the violations it posed for the game. One of the players is depicted as annoyed and as an elephant, which usually stands for a Republican. This shows how this issue transcended into a political problem due to the view points surrounding it and how it can possibly reflect on the political affiliation of the teams. I enjoyed this cartoon because it reflected a large issue that was at hand just a few weeks ago and it utilizes a socially relevant topic to political issues. It was also very effective in getting its point across to represent the contraversy at hand. 

TOW #24: Fat America

This political cartoon is depicting Obama and Uncle Sam. It is stressing the idea that American is spending too much and getting "fat" on the spending scale. It shows Obama sitting upon the budget like it is his seat. He is telling America "it's time for dinner." This symbolizes Obama's spending and how he is fattening America and continues to spend. This cartoon appeals to pathos because it provides a perspective for the viewers to see how Obama is dealing with America's budget. It also uses a familiar face of Uncle Sam, who is usually on the thinner side, getting to be obese. This characterization makes it known that America is breaking the spending scale. The perspective this cartoon shows allows viewers to understand the full extent of Obama's actions on America. It also relates to many issues happening in America today and is versatile in what one applies it to. I enjoyed this cartoon because it is so easy to understand and also can provide a new view on many issues. It leaves it up to viewer interpretation but also narrows in on a specific aspect of economy and government right now. 

TOW #23: Self Diagnosis

        On CNN there is an article addressing how many people find it more effective to self diagnose themselves. It explained how many people when they come down with symptoms turn to the internet and Google to figure out what is wrong with them. The issue with this is that many sources give false information and can also lead the patient to false conclusions. Many sites can either provide very out of the box treatment options, or can add up the symptoms and lead to a major extreme. When one see's these conclusions of their symptoms, such as more often than not, cancer, they begin to panic. It is then that they finally consult a doctor just to be almost always debunked and sent home with a prescription for cold medicine.
       This article takes into consideration the positive aspects of the internet in these situations when the information provided is utilized correctly. Sometimes, people actually find an effective treatment of symptoms or easy cure.
       The author used logos and pathos through the article. She included statistics regarding those who turn to the internet as their first source of wisdom and diagnosis. Many quotes from doctors were also included to provide their perspective on these habits. Pathos is applied because it appeals to many people because almost everyone is guilty of getting a little riled up over something small with their health. This article appeals to people of all ages and everyone has been there at one point in there life or knows of someone who acts as a hypochondriac at sometime. I enjoyed this article because I know I am guilty of doing these self diagnosing from time to time. Also, I know many people who rely heavily on the internet on their information and I see how detrimental it can be.

TOW #22: Natural Selection

         In a piece on The Onion, the "massacre" of natural selection. It proclaims that a total of 38 quadrillion organisms have been killed due to natural selection. It explains how many helpless organisms "were wiped out in cold blood ” due to the "rampage" that the "killer" went on. This article utilizes juxtaposition of the process of natural selection to the "the work of a hardened, practiced killer.”  It refers to this natural process as taking the lives of many helpless organisms. The article also refers to how the process of natural selection works by addressing how it attacks the most vulnerable organisms, which, like natural selection, is what happens. It also references how these attacks are bound to continue and that no organism is safe. This article was interesting because it showed a new perspective on a commonality in science. Since the discovery of natural selection, most people have always viewed it as it was presented, whereas this article presents a more gruesome outlook on the process. The author uses the juxtaposition of a killer to demonstrate how this process has killed more organisms than anything else. The article itself was also somewhat of a fallacy because it falsely compared two things that are not really similar, but could be if looked at in that perspective. I enjoyed this because it gave me a new view of a scientific discovery and also gave me a good laugh at the comparisons. 

TOW #21: Like A Girl

During the Super Bowl, a commercial aired that was aimed toward feminism. The commercial was based on an interview of a boys perspective of how to do activities "like a girl" and a boys perspective. The first perspective displayed all negative, stereotypically interpretations of how to do certain activities "like a girl." While the second demonstrated strength, speed, and pride in the activities. This commercial was created to show how the portrayal of women need to be changed because it is diminishing the girls themselves. It displays how girls are capable of the same achievements and strengths that boys are and should not be penalized because they are girls. The commercial also gave notice to how many younger girls are disregarding the stereotype and taking pride in who hey are and what they can do. The commercial appeals to a large audience because it is aimed toward the feminism movement, which all women take a part in, which ever way possible. It also sent a positive message to the public about completely changing the connotation of what it is like to be a girl. I definitely enjoyed this commerical because I thought it was perfectly portrayed and got the message it wanted to across. It also opened the doors to many advertising campaigns that will contribute to the feminism movement. This commerical gave a message that will stick with people and truly make a difference. 

TOW #20: IRB A Child Called "It"

            I am reading A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer. This book is a heart-wrenching autobiography about the author childhood. It recounts on the horrendous times his mother put him through as a child. Life was normal, when one day his mother started being hard on him, and from there it escalated. The boy, now called "it" was rarely fed, always beaten, and forced to do an insane amount of chores all under the force of his mother. Even with many attempts to get around her ludicrous rules. Toward the middle of the book, his teachers and principles become interested in his presentation; scars, bruises, slashes, torn clothes,  and a horrid smell. Although scared of his mother because he "told," David gets taken away from his mother under the principles command. This book appeals to ethos and pathos. The ethos comes to the personal anecdote of the author, which verifies the actuality of the stories he is recounting on. The pathos comes in because the stories are so horrendous and terrible, that when reading you can't help but want to help David. The book also uses strong figurative language and descriptions to describe his chores, punishments given by his mother, and his appearance. I recommend this book because it is a terribly, heart-wrenching story that leaves you routing for the main character to survive. It is an easier read, but the plot develops so well it is difficult to put down.

TOW #19: Why Science Is So Hard To Believe

In an opinion post on Washington Post, Joel Achenbach explored many humans questioning of science. He builds around the point that "science is a method for deciding whether what we choose to believe has a basis in the laws of nature or not." Achenbach discusses how although science may prove things, there are millions of ways and thought processes that disprove or counter that science. Also that whatever one believes, is hard to refute with scientific laws because we cling to our intuitions. The human brain "craves pattern and meaning" so we like to create and explore the correlations between certain ideas or scientific findings, that sometime lead us to a general conclusion that may not always be fully accurate. Achenbach basically applies the idea of induction to show that the reason many people refute science is because they believe if X is true, and Y is true, then X and Y but connect or happen because of one another, etc. He also claims that no scientist ever claims to be fully certain about their findings because "uncertainty is inevitable at the frontiers of knowledge." His overall purpose is to demonstrate that there are many misconceptions and misinterpretations of science and that many don't believe it because many concepts are hard to wrap one's head around. Achenbach appeals to a big audience because he uses multiple past and present examples of scientific discoveries that people try to disprove and dramatize. He also creates a basis for why many people doubt science, and brings the thought process together.

TOW #18: Guns

This political cartoon demonstrates the issues of gun rights in the United States. It shows an opposing view to permitting people to own guns. The cartoon portrays the United States as a "Guns R Us" store. This is to show that if states permit the gun laws to be passed that people will have access to guns in the same respect that they have access to toys. This is addressing a very controversial issue today. This cartoon uses pathos to to appeal to the viewers emotions about the situation. It is a faulty comparison that many parents wouldn't want to see. The juxtaposition allows the viewers to see the other side of the issue and understand why the passage of this law would be deteimental. It uses the slogan "stand your ground" to show how this would make everyone have to be on guard and get armed because it could result in violence. I liked this cartoon because it was a good way to show the negative aspects of the gun laws and gets the message across quickly and effectively.

IRB Intro Post #3

The book I am reading is A Child Called "It" written by Dave Pelzer is about an abusive mother who treats her son as a slave. The mother calls the son "it"
and plays games with him, these of which he has to win to survive. I picked this book because it was highly recommended and looked very interesting and unlike anything I have read before. The plot of the book looks appealing along with the extreme appeal to pathos. 

TOW #17: Super Bowl

          In a recent article on the Fiscal Times done about the Super Bowl this year, many gathered statistics relating to the aspects that accompany the game itself. The article claimed that around 1.4 million chicken wings are consumed on Super Bowl Sunday. Along with that it shows the information that wings are the most common food eaten on Super Bowl Sunday, accompanied by chips, dips and other common appetizers. The article also reported about the advertisements that are what many look forward to during the breaks of the game. A general 30-second spot commercial airing during the Super Bowl costs on average 4.5 million dollars. Many companies have spent much more every year just to get more complex advertisements out to the public during the Super Bowl. On top of all of that, and the reason for so many companies push to advertise during this game is because a project 171 million to 184 million people are expected to watch the Super Bowl this year. This article was very effective in demonstrating how large the entertainment value of the Super Bowl is, and how it is steadily increasing. The article builds ethos based on its news based site and analyzers to create the statistics used. With the large amount of statistics found in the article, it also builds the logos present throughout. The article also allowed viewers to put into perspective on how large the Super Bowl is, even beyond the actual game itself. I enjoyed this article because it game an insight into how much actually goes into the Super Bowl and how many other corporations and businesses make money off this event.

TOW #16: IRB

The second part of the book  They Poured Fire on Us From The Sky discusses their escape to Kenya and search for a better life in the United States. It goes into the interview they had to go through in order to make it into the United States. I thought this part of the book was a complete nail-biting portion because they were so close to what they had hope for after suffering for 10 years. The book keys in on the readers emotions to get them to fully understand all the boys had to go through and how heart wrenching their journey was. The whole book had automatic ethos due to the fact that it was the actual people and based off a Sudan Civil War. The insight into the issue allowed for readership understand the struggle they had to endure in order to achieve a better lifestyle. The imagery the book produces for the reader makes the book better as a whole. It really makes one feel as though they are experiencing the pain and can understand what the boys had to go through. Overall I thought this book was an inspirational, emotional one that kept me on the edge of my seat. 

Tow #15: Facebook

In an article on The Onion, a new "notification" for Facebook was discussed. The new notification 
would include alerting users that they have not been viewing Facebook recently or at that exact moment. The article states that Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO claimed, "We hope these helpful new alerts will improve our users." This article is a way to satirically show that people are obsessed with technology and that although we are already absorbed in it, companies are pushing harder to get their user rates up. The article ends with the claim that, "Zuckerberg went on to say that notifications informing users when they are currently looking at Facebook will be introduced by the end of the year." This is a direct attempt to make fun of the notifications that Facebook is sending out now and to explain how ridiculous they are. The article utilizes satire and over exaggeration to show how technology is hitting a new point of ridiculousness and that our lives are based around it. Also to explain the insane motive behind the notifications and steps social media companies take to get the users attention. The approach was effective in helping viewers understand the extremes social media takes to creep into every second of our time. 

TOW #14: Social Media

Washington Post- Toles  

              This cartoon from the Washington Post is based on the idea of social media and the internet taking over. Since the game monopoly is based on a player making their way through life and buying and selling, this cartoon is a spin-off to show how now people's lives revolve around the internet and technology. It uses references to social issues that are based on technology as the parts of the game. The comparison with the "Go" space and "200 likes" versus the original "200 dollars" shows how people focus on likes more and are reliant on how many likes they get to build up their self confidence and essentially "start the game." The lanes that are usually properties to buy are split up into categories in which people navigate and usually use the most when using technology. This portrays the idea that we are more focused on what is on the internet than the real world. Instead of the "go to jail" spot, there is a "give up data" space, due to the fact that almost every person stresses about the thought of getting the message from their phone company that they have used all their data and there is still time left in the month. There is also an "ad pop up" space to show a relatively small but irritating disturbance in our internet experiences. The dialogue in the corner is supposed to who that since we are sucked into the internet we don't get any "chances" in life because we are so focused on the technological aspect of life. This cartoon accurately depicts society today is so caught up in technology and everything the internet has to offer that they are withdrawn from real life itself. It is also correct is showing that almost everything is being changed to electronic, even things that have not been associated with the internet before, such as paying for a Starbucks and even playing traditional board games, including Monopoly.