Tone:

Embarrassed

Sympathetic

Humorous

Mood: 

Light-Hearted

Calm

Worried

Subject:

Anger

Theme:

When someone loses their temper, the consequences could hurt others worse than themselves. 

Book Reviews

The Kite Runner	Khaled Hosseini	I have always been a fan of history and historical fiction. The Kite Runner covers both in it’s account of an unlikely friendship during a tumultuous time in Afghan history. The culture of that part of the world has always been somewhat fascinating to me.  Between this and a large number of good reviews and recommendations I feel as if this is a good  one to read.
Enclave	Ann Aguirre	One of my favorite video game series ever is the Fallout series. This book follows an extremely similar story as that in Fallout 3. The world has been decimated by war and two young people are expelled from their “enclave” and are forced to survive in the harsh world that has spawned from the ruins of New York City. Stories of survival in these situations have always piqued my interest.
Anna Dressed in Blood	Kendare Blake	The supernatural is such a common theme for books it is almost over used. But this beek seems to take a slightly different view by blending ghost hunting and revenge. In the book Cas Lowood faces a ghost, while on his quest to kill his fathers murderer, that provides him a unique connection to the paranormal.
Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein	Kenneth Oppel	The name is what drew me to this book. One thing I cannot stand is not understanding how a situation came about. This book explains why Dr. Frankenstien created his monster. If an author is bold enough to alter the story of a classic, and be successful at it, then this book must be worth reading.
White Crow	Marcus Sedgwick	I had no intention of reading this book based on the cover, or the title. But I decided to read a quick summary and there was more than a subtle similarity to a quest in a game I am quite fond of. This is the story of Rebecca. She was visiting a small town that is slowly crumbling into the sea. While there she begins to investigate a death. The similarity between this story and a quest in Skyrim is the only reason I intend to read this book.
Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic	Allan Wolf	Obsession would be an understatment when talking about my interest in the Titanic. Anything involving it is worth reading to me. But this is not just a retelling of the story. It follows dozens of different people during their time on the ship. I’m excited about this book and may try to purchase it next time I get paid.
The Space Between	Brenna Yovanoff	The cover of this book has a somewhat demoic feel to it. That automatically drew my attention. Then I read a quick summary and read that the main character is the daughter of Satan. My first thought is of the movie Little Nicky. But Daphne is nothing like Nicky. However, she does go to earth for the purpose of finding her brother.
Legend	Marie Lu	Everyone wants to know how the future will turn out. In Lu’s world the US is divided into different nations. The military background in this story should keep it fast-paced. The undertones of revenge and love will hopefully keep any reader engaged.

Movie Review: Rebel Without a Cause

The emotional drama that is “Rebel Without a Cause” is a must-see classic for those who haven’t already. Released in 1955, written by Stewart Stern and directed by Nicholas Ray, “Rebel Without a Cause”  attempts to portray the issues that teens had and were causing in society at the time.

Although quite different than modern teen movies, many of the underlying currents are the same. There is an individual or small group that is ostracized by the masses who has a specific goal to achieve. Unlike modern movies there is a more morbid aspect to this movie compared to the generally upbeat and harmless problems that now arise.

The cast is headed by James Dean in the form of Jim Stark, an angry, unstable, but kind teen. He tries to be kind to others but is extremely awkward and not very well liked. Dean’s acting is, at times, questionable. But he manages to fill the majority with extreme emotion and makes his character very easy to relate to. Jim’s best friend Plato (“Sal Mineo”) is very obviously pulled towards Jim. He is very emotional and even more unstable. He begins the movie by being arrested for shooting puppies. He is a good friend to Jim but is unable to control himself. He epitomizes the idea of a social outcast. Then there’s Judy (“Natalie Wood”). Judy is very conflicted and, in the beginning, dislikes Jim. But immediately after Buzz’s death she becomes attached to Jim. Her family is not ideal, although not as splintered as Jim’s or especially Plato’s.

This is the tale of a young man with many personal issues and his efforts to overcome the problems caused by them. It begins with Jim being arrested for public drunkenness. This is where he sees Judy and Plato for the first time. When his parents arrive at the police station they begin arguing and his family issues become apparent. In private he explains his family situation with a police officer who sympathises with him and tells him to come talk whenever he feels troubled.

He arrives at school on the first day and learns that there is a class field trip to the observatory. While here he unintentionally irritates the school thug, Buzz. Before leaving the observatory and confronting Buzz, Plato’s infatuation with Jim  begins to show. After a brief discussion and short outburst by Jim, he and Buzz agree to a “chickie run.” The event consists of driving stolen cars toward a cliff and the last one to jump out wins. The game costs Buzz his life after he is unable to open the door.  Leading to a myriad of other problems with Buzz’s friends.

This same event is the spark that lead to him exploding on his parents in an attempt to explain what he’s feeling. While telling his parents what he had done his father was very supportive. However, his mother did nothing but yell at him and try to uproot the family once again. Jim attacks his father in a very dramatic showing of anger at his refusal to stand up for him. He then storms out of the house. Judy and him go to an abandoned mansion and they are soon joined by Plato. They act as a family for a short time before Plato falls asleep and Jim and Judy go to be alone.  Buzz’s friends arrive and begin harassing Plato.  Driving him to insanity and violence. After shooting at his fellow teens and the police, Plato runs to the observatory where he is ultimately shot dead by police.
At times difficult to understand from a modern perspective, the film portrays a time where men were allowed to show their emotions more and be more expressive. I believe it portrayed the youth of the time very accurately and Dean captured this perfectly while still remaining stoic in his portrayal of Jim Stark. At the time teens were commonly “rebellious” and tried to separate from their parents while others want to be able to have a closer relationship to a wider array of people. This film managed to capture all of this in the short time it took up.

All the characters had a depth that is severely lacking in many modern movies. The entire family, or at least an explanation of the family, is presented for all the main characters. They have very complex personalities and there really aren’t any “stock” characters. The issue at hand also strikes home for many people. Probably more so for the teens at the time of its release. There is a very strong effect from the movie. It plays games with your emotions. One minute you feel bad for one character. But in the next minute you hate that same character and then it switches back again. Very few movies are as successful as this at making the viewer feel personally involved.

I was thoroughly impressed with nearly every scene in this movie. The plot was very strong and the setting amplified the already powerful emotions that were being exuded by every word. The only gripe I have is the acting is not top-notch at times. But it is so successful at everything else that this can be overlooked almost entirely. Everyone should see this movie and I promise, they will feel some emotional connection to at least one of the characters.

God is a democrat: an analysis of "The President's 'Social Gospel'" by Cal Thomas

Nicholas Hardin

Mrs. Harmon

AP Lang

28 February 2012

God is a democrat: an analysis of "The President's 'Social Gospel'" by Cal Thomas

In Cal Thomas' essay, The President's 'Social Gospel', the self-righteous condescension reveals his bitter contempt for the current administration. His anger at the way the president turns religion into politics angers him. He tries to persuade the reader that this is wrong. He uses pathos, allusion, and concession to improve his argument.

He uses allusion to provide more credibility to his argument and powerful comparisons. If everyone "[sounded]" like "Karl Marx," our country would be "less successful" than it currently is." He refers to Karl Marx, the inventor of communism, to provide something to compare president Obama to. According to Thomas, President Obama's policies and interpretations are nothing short of communism. Even "Donald Trump" does not "[endorse]" president Obama's lack of "tradition." He chose a party that, until relatively recently, remained neutral. By showing a neutral person's displeasure at something president Obama did gives more credibility to what he says. If one who doesn't care cares, then it has to be a bad thing.

Thomas concedes to several points to give himself opportunities to refute others. "Even" "sources" such as "Plato" partially agree with the president’s statement. He concedes to this point, but it opens a broader topic that he can pick apart and reduce the president’s credibility. He points out that although independent sources agree with parts, they do not intend for their words to be used in the manner that they are used. The "left" "commends religion" when it suits their needs. He points out how religion is good and proper in some political arenas. But later goes on the point out inconsistencies in people’s support of it, thereby undermining the religious "endorsement."

The author appeals to pathos to give the argument a personal effect. The president denies "focus on a Higher Power" and only seeks to fulfill an "earthly agenda." Many people are extremely sensitive about their religion. The word religion often sparks extreme emotional reactions in a reader. It is an extremely personal topic. after hearing a reference to "Karl Marx," "People for the American Way" described the president’s statement as "election-season boilerplate." To an educated person, the name Marx spawns anger. Nothing breeds anger like the election season. Thomas attempts to make the reader angry at president Obama for a statement that seems inherently wrong.

Cal Thomas chose specific rhetorical devices, such as allusion, pathos, and concession, to use throughout his writing. The way he used these devices revealed personal feelings that, to some, gave his argument strength. But to others they could simply show his bias.

Kill 'Em! Crush 'Em! Eat 'Em Raw!

1. John McMurty's essay begins with a personal anecdote about the results of playing sports - especially football - since childhood. When he can no longer ignore his physical condition, he seeks treatment and is hospitalized. How does the anecdote lend credibility to his argument?

The anecdote assists in establishing ethos. By mentioning that he participated in football himself lends him more credibility in the subject that he is writing about. The reader is more likely to listen to, and believe a writer who has personal experience.

2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?

The comparison is very convincing. He mentions specific examples of how they are similar. Such as how after a football game there is an "injury report" in the same way that there is a "body count" after a battle. The overall goal of both is the same: hurt the other too badly to continue. These obvious comparisons are the reason it appeals to logos.

4. In paragraph 14, McMurty cites a Harvard study showing that some of the more brutal characteristics of football players are valued in the business world. How do the findings support McMurty's argument against the brutality of football?

"Systematically destroying and harming human life" is the whole purpose of football. Squeamishness is looked down upon in football. It teaches players to fight and main others with no regard for them selves or anyone else. A football player must be able to "[accept] inflicted injury." In order to play football one must remove all emotional attachment to things and just keep hurting others. McMurty's rough diction allows him to show that football turns normal human beings into mindless brutes.

7. Who is McMurty's audience? Is it necessary for the reader to understand or care about football in order to understand what McMurty is saying about society? Explain.

McMurty's audience is anyone who is interested in football or the effects of football. The reader does not have to know a single thing about football in order to understand his message. He uses enough detail and good explanation to make his point to any reader. He writes in such a way that the reader gains an understanding of the brutality of football and how it is apparent in modern society.

Suggestion 1

Emerson is trying to say that the education system tries to mass produce educations. Instead of teaching students, they teach classes as a whole. But each student needs an individualized version of what the class gets. Students may still get a quality education but it could be exponentially better if the curriculum was aimed at the student and not the student body as a whole.

I believe that, for the most part, education is similar to what it was when Emerson wrote his essay. In some classes (like the 1st semester of pre-ap chemistry last year) students are encouraged to work on their own. This allows students to work ahead, or behind, of each other so no one is held back and no one is being pushed too hard. But the most positive aspect of this is: teachers get more 1-on-1 time with students. Teachers can work with only the students that need help and leave the other students that are not struggling to continue working like normal without holding them back by tacking away class time to explain something to a single student. But there are not any classes at our high school like that anymore. It is not a popular teaching method anywhere in the nation. Teachers continue to teach very generalized lessons that do not have anything that will help individual students but simply covers the required information. The entire purpose of some classes is to pass another standardized test.

Got Milk?

     I chose to do the "Got Milk?" ad for this assignment. It is trying to persuade readers to drink more milk to maintain strong bones. The ad uses ethos, logos, and specifically pathos to aid in the persuasion of the reader.
     The ethos in this ad is obvious from the moent you look at it. This ad was put up by a very prestigeous company. Everyone recognizes the "Got Milk?" campaign. When a campaign as successful this has been around as long as it has, people take notice and assume that what it says must be true. It usually uses famous people to draw attention to it and so it will have more influence on the people who see the ad. The people are usually very attractive and This particular ad uses a very attractive model to draw the attention of a specific audience. The ad explains that milk can help you grow strong, healthy bones and maintain them once you reach 35 or older. This sets up the logos. It is presenting important facts that make it seem logical that you should drink more milk.
     To appeal to pathos the makers of the ad used a very attraactive model to draw attention. Men will look at the poster simply to see a person so attractive. Women may look at the poster and see that person and think about what they wold give to look like that. Most everyone wants to look better and using attractive, famous people gives them an idea of what they want to be. This is how the ad uses pathos to appeal to the audience.
    The ad makes effective use of ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal to an audience and make the message sink into the audience to persuade them to drink more milk.