TOW #10 - Article: "Why Jump When You Can Sip?" By Reid Wilson

The New York Times has been providing its readers with possible travel-destinations every day for almost 100 years. This particular Sunday, November 24, Reid Wilson, writer for the Travel section of the New York Times dives into New Zealand's Central Otago region in "Why Jump When You Can Sip?" Lucious wineries combined with adrenaline-pinching outdoor activities create the perfect vacation experience.Wilson recalls his time with the Kiwis, sampling hundreds of wines in over 18 vineyards.
The author's vivid imagery of the New Zealand landscape makes his audience long for a visit to this magical region.  Wilson describes his view from one specific winery: "overlooking the perfectly trimmed grass sloping away to the vineyard, the green grape vines contrasting with the arid mountains in the distance." This paints a beautiful picture of the lush scenery Wilson experienced while touring Central Otago, New Zealand. Wilson's audience has been narrowed down to those with a desire to travel, due to his writing being specifically featured in the Travel section of a newspaper. The authors aims to accurately portray the true beauty he has come across while traveling in New Zealand for approximately 3 months. Wilson utilizes imagery to do just that: describe in immense detail the natural charm of Central Otago for his audience.
Wilson describes personal anecdotes in order to accurately chronicle his time touring different New Zealand wineries and vineyards. He recalls his time with his tour guide, Jim, to show the hospitality of the people in New Zealand. Wilson includes the fact that he sampled hundreds of wines in 18 wineries, conveying the sheer mass and variety of wines in the Central Otago region. The stories of quaint, "mom and pop" wineries compared to the larger, formal ones, exemplify New Zealand's grand diversity in the wine industry.
Wilson's passion and enthusiasm for his New Zealand trip illustrate the visual beauty as well as the mental rest and relaxation the Central Otago region provides.

Independent Reading Book Introduction: "The Criminal Conversation of Mrs. Norton" by Diane Atkinson

I have selected to read The Criminal Conservation of Mrs. Norton by Diane Atkinson for my second marking period independent reading book. This is about a true story, taking place in Westminster, London, 1836, surrounding the court case of Caroline Sheridan Norton, the clever wife of a domineering lawyer. Her husband, George Norton sued Caroline over "criminal conversation," or adultery. Mrs Norton is immediately acquitted and uses her only resources after her then-husband cuts her off to campaign for women's rights. Her hard work has resulted in three legislations in England. I really enjoy learning about the history of women's rights and I hope to be inspired by Mrs Norton's actions as well as gain knowledge of her tactics as she became a figure in politics.

TOW #9- Visual Text: Aerie 20% Off Advertisement

Aerie, a branch of the clothing company popular with tweens and teens, American Eagle, specializes in intimate apparel and loungewear. This particular advertisement for Aerie would most likely be found in magazines or in a customer's bag after a purchase at one of the Aerie stores. The front of this ad features a girl, appearing to be in her late teens or early 20's carelessly lying on a fluffy white bed wearing an Aerie bra and silk Aerie pajama pants. Her face, lit up with a huge smile, looks just as good as her professionally-photoshopped abdominals. The model is swinging her arm over her hair, making her look effortlessly beautiful. Her ambiguous carmel skin tone appeals to girls of all races, a medium skin color can be related to by girls of every color. The text on this picture reads: "Sparkle while you sleep" in bold, feminine letters in the left top corner. On the top right corner, the simple "Aerie" written in lowercase cursive. Aerie is clearly associated with solely the female community and persists to prove this evident by featuring a "modest" lingerie model wearing comfortable pajama pants. The word "sparkle" carries a heavy girly connotation. What girl wouldn't want to sparkle while they sleep?
The backside of the ad jumps out in hot pink lettering, urging customers to "TAKE 20% OFF." The rest of the text is in a light gray. Just above the discount, in italics, is written: "Rest up. You have some serious shopping to do!" This implies that the audience is going to shop at Aerie in the near future. The continue the sleeping theme from the front side of the ad by suggesting the audience "Rest up" because they have so much shopping to do at Aerie. The 20% off given to audience members is just the cherry on top. Sparkling while you sleep now costs 20% less.
 

TOW #8 - IRB: "Wild" By Cheryl Strayed

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed is a moving memoir of love and loss. Her 1,100 mile trek is recalled, while simultaneously flashing back to life before her mother's death: the tragedy that spawned her journey in the Californian wilderness. Strayed articulately crafts her book, using subtle metaphors and adapting a humorous tone to tell an amazing story. This memoir was written after successfully hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, alone. Again, this incredible journey happened due to the tragic loss of the author's mother as well as her crumbling marriage. Strayed liberated her mind on the Pacific Crest Trail and Wild shares with the world her emotional and physical journey. This book is extremely uplifting.
The metaphor, a simple rhetorical device, is used by the author to portray her backpack on the hike through California. She nicknames the backpack "Monster", a demon weighing on her back. Throughout the book she attempts to display the metaphor that "Monster" is. "Monster" represents the weight Strayed carries on her shoulders throughout her journey, more emotional than physical. This, of course, resulting from the death of her mother and her failed marriage. When she first packs Monster before she begins hiking, Strayed is unable to move the bag, attempting to show that she has so far to go before she is able to feel weight off of her shoulders. However, Strayed hunches over and succeeds in getting a backpack that is more than half her weight on her shoulders. The emotional strength exemplified by Strayed when she does not quit or give up solely because her backpack would not move is inspiring, and shows her determination to not fail.
Strayed adapts a humorous tone when she recalls what she prayed for during the memoir. These prayers may be abnormal in the sense that they are, in the beginning of the book, heavily sprinkled, perhaps even doused, in profanity.
Cheryl Strayed perfectly exemplifies her time on the Pacific Crest Train in Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.