TOW #15 - The Kiss (visual text)

This visual text is a painting done by Gustav Klimt. Klimt was an Austrian artist who focused on works that depicted the female physique. He was also one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession. This specific piece of work entitle "The Kiss" depicts a man kissing a women. The strongest elements of this piece are the use of color, the fact that is abstract and its composition. These factors help to deliver multiple meanings and allow different interpretations to be taken from this one image.
The colors are a very prominent element in this painting. The background is a darker mixture of blacks and yellows in a pattern that isn't definite. This contrasts with the main image of the piece which is the man and the women. They are wrapped in a golden, organic looking shape which is above a bed of flowers. It gives the impression that they are the only two people in this moment in time. The colors that they are pictured with are also bright making the stand out more but also the main color used is yellow which usually constitutes happiness. With the color scheme used the message being delivered is one of content or pure love share between the man and woman in this single moment. This is how the composition contributes to the message as well. The two subjects are the center of the painting. This placement further enhances the idea that they are so in love that in the moment it feels like it is just them. They are in a world all their own and the outside elements are of little importance. The fact that is abstract as well helps to illustrate the different ways that this image can be interpreted. The overall message that I have taken fro this image as previously mentioned is that these two are supposed to represent the power of a connection between two people. Entitle The Kiss these is a very intimate connection that two people can share and that is illustrated in the painting but also the way that you can't really see an full body resemblance makes the two appear as one entity. This can also represent the intensity a bond of love can have.

http://www.popsugar.com/love/photo-gallery/18176810/image/18176821/One-Gustav-Klimt-most-famous-paintings-most-famous

TOW #14 - The First Smile (nonfiction text)

The First Smile is an article on the psychology behind crying, smiling and laughing. The author of this article, Michael Graziano, is a professor of neuroscience at Princeton University and has conducted several studies of the brain and the things signals to the brain cause humans to do. In this specific article he focuses on three certain human responses and relates them to our ancestors, primates and also explains the ways in which they are interconnected. His assessment of these human responses helps to give significant evidence of evolution and also explains these common responses.
     Graziano first begins by explaining the background of studying laugher, smiles and crying. How it has been a long study and can be broken down to expose evident similarities and practicalities. He also acknowledges the evolutionary track of such responses. He often uses the example of interactions between monkeys. He explains that through studies he has been able to draw comparisons between those of humans and of monkeys which justifies his usage of hess primates as a comparative example. He explains that psychologically we all have barriers and regions of comfort that if intruded cause us to exhibit certain behaviors. For example if you are standing in a crowded room and someone steps too close to you for it to be comfortable, a subconscious response might be to move or to seek a route out. This is a natural response to protect the self. Graziano noticed this behavior in animals as well and was thus able to draw the comparison. In his article he mentions talking to Heini Hediger, a zoo curator and how he designs zoos in a certain way to be comfortable for the animal. That they have certain barriers that cause them to act in certain ways when they feel threatened.
     By frist mentioning this relation Graziano is then able to go into detail in the ways that these responses are logical and also similar to one another. He explains that a common response when one feels threatened is to protect the face, especially the eyes, and any other body parts that could be of the most severe pain if attacked. He explains that when one cries it is usually a process of cleaning out the eyes or creating a response to pain. In this way it is similar to laughter which is the verbal response to something we hear or encounter. Relating this back to monkeys, Graziano explains that monkeys tend to cringe and squint the eyes in times of danger but also in times of playing. They let out verbal responses and even sometimes show their teeth as a mechanism. He explains these all as rational, protective instincts.
    This article is a prime example of breaking down a subject but then justifying the breakdown by mentioning the similarities. He breaks down the human psych by giving evolutionary examples and then interrelating specific examples. His study and evidence is believable due to the presentation.

http://aeon.co/magazine/science/should-we-ever-take-a-smile-at-face-value/

TOW #13 - The Man Who Mistook His Hat for a Meal (nonfiction text)

The Man Who Mistook His Hat for a Meal is a short memoir written by David Sedaris. Sedaris is known for being a humorous writer often using sarcastic language and witty imagery throughout his stories. This piece is no exception to Sedaris's style. In this piece one of his strongest techniques is being very blunt. The piece discusses his father's for hoarding habits. His father will save perishable items of food and revisit them as if they had never been hidden and were still good as new. This piece address his father's strange antiques through background flashbacks and the occurring story of their family dinner. Since his father's habit was one that was quite strange the only way to truly get that across would be to tell the story exactly as it was and that is exactly what Sedaris does. He describe the spoiled foods in short but sweet detailed descriptions and causes the reader to no longer be able to view such foods in the same way. It comes off as humorous but that is one of Sedaris's strongest writing attributes. He takes on rather heavy topics or issues and makes them seem lighter by portraying them humorously. Another example of one of his works that have taken on a serious issue in a similar way is his short story A Plague of Tics. In that piece he writes about his struggle with obsessive compulsive behaviors but he does so in such a way that it isn't a drag. Overall Sedaris is able to get his story across most effectively through his humor and vivd imagery.

http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0699-JUN_SEDARIS_1

TOW #12 - IRB analysis

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is the nonfiction retelling of a murder that took place in Holcomb, Kansas. The author does three very effective things to both engage the reader and put a unique perspective on the retelling. He first is very straight forward with details. Considering it is a case of murder there are some pretty gruesome details. He does not exclude such details. Reading is it is almost as realistically detailed as if you were watching it on a crime show. This is effective to the authors purpose of giving an accurate portrayal of this event. Considering that he was not there at the actual time of this murder occurring and unfolding he of course needed to rely on some witnesses. Using sources who were at the scene or were close acquaintances to the victims is very effective. It gives Capote both credibility, in the sense that he is not fabricating the story he is giving the excruciating details from what was passed on to him by others. And it also gives an overall completeness to the story. It would be easy to go straight to the police department of the town and read the report and do a retelling based on that but to get to the true heart of the event and have a well rounded story to tell, a variety of sources was a smart decision. The third effective technique that Capote takes advantage of if his use of split perspectives. The story isn't exactly split into chapters but there are clear breaks between parts of the story. Along with this breaks usually comes a switch of perspective between the family before their being murdered or close acquaintances of the family to the two men who were the murderers. Another additionally effective thing that bounces off of that and is fair for me to say considering that I am only half way through, is the fact that it is not explicitly stated that these two men are the murderers but through their actions and dialogue and background profiles the reader can assume. The split perspectives helps the reader to speculate and be aware of the two sides to this story that while were happening along side one another at one instance meet up in a disastrous way.

TOW #11 - National Geographic Jane Goodall (visual text)

This image was taken by a national geographic photographer and pictured is anthropologist, Jane Goodall. In this image she is reaching out to a baby chimpanzee. She is dressed in typical safari attire, khaki shirt and shorts. The image was taken at the perspective of seeing more of the back of Goodall's head but the face of chimpanzee. They are both reaching out to one another. Both the subjects of this photo are in focus but the background is not.
By analyzing the setup and context of this issue a few meanings can be extracted. One observed meaning is that of two worlds coming together. Goodall studies humans and primates and this image depicts both coming into contact. There are studies that humans have evolved from apes and it is as if in this image these two very similar creations are connecting over mutual genetic make ups. Another meaning depicted by this image is that of humans respecting that they share this world with animals. Animals are just as important to this world as humans and both can benefit the other. Humans must respect their fellow living creature and Goodall clearly acknowledges and respects that for in this image she is reaching out to a creature for whom she respects and admires.
The audience of this image I believe is humans as a whole. To make them aware and also fascinated by the ways humans and animals can interact. While yes many wild animals are dangerous because they have the natural instincts to attack the unknown (humans) there are also animals for whom we do not need to be afraid. Goodall exhibits that sometimes they are just as curious as we are and that communication can be possible and teach us more about our fellow inhabitants of this planet.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/125/national-geographic-memorable-moments/#/7

TOW #10 - Dog Days and Starlit Nights (written)

     Dog Days and Starlit Nights is a nonfiction short story written by Angie J. Mayfield. She is an English professor at Vincennes University in Indiana. This short factoid helps to establish her credibility as a writer. This short piece is about her finding a stray dog on the side of a road and taking it in as her on. She recollects on her children's first reactions and hers and how the dog adapted to its new home.
     It is a short story that is directly to the point but filled with just enough to keep the reader intrigued. One of her strongest strategies with this piece is her imagery. Mayfield really paints the scene and describes every happening with great detail. In such a short piece it is important to be concise yet thick. What I mean by this is that it is called a short story for a reason, because it is supposed to be exactly that. But this does not mean that simplistic language is necessary nor that the content has to be weak. Even the shortest of stories can be powerful, such as this one.
    Branching off this idea of the how powerful this piece is, is the way that Mayfield appeals to pathos. She creates this appeal through her previous mentioned descriptions. She mentions the withering state of the dog and how easily her family welcomed such a poorly appearing creature into their home. Right there we have two major elements that create an emotional reaction. The mention of family and dogs are usually things that spark some type of feeling. Mayfield takes advantage of this to connect to her audience.
     I believe that the audience of this piece is people as a whole. To get them to realize that even the most broken looking of things have the ability to heal. This idea also relates to he purpose. An example of how she appeals to both audience and her purpose is when she first found this dog it was scavenging for food and was stick thin but that didn't stop her from welcoming the creature into her home to be taken care of. Every creature deserves love and compassion and the chance to be repaired and I think that is her purpose in writing such a piece.

http://www.backhandstories.com/non-fiction/dog-days-and-starlit-nights-by-angie-j-mayfield/#more-253

IRB #2 Intro - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is the story of a murder that took place in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959. The victims were a man named Herbert Clutter, his wife and two of their children. Once Capote heard of the murder case he was intrigued to find out more so he traveled to Kansas and interviewed locals and people working on the case and gather enough notes to produce this book. Through his extensive research and first hand information collection dying the unraveling of this murder, he was also able to see what effects the case had on the community.
This book is greatly unlike anything that I have ever read before and when it was recommended to me I found it's topic very interesting. Although they can be eery and gruesome I love to watch murder mysteries or crime shows and this is a real life case of one so it caught my interest at first recommendation. From this book I hope to gain true insight into the process of solving a murder. I am well aware that most things on television are fabricated so I am interested to find out what really happened in a true life murder case.