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.