Urgent Warnings as Hurricane Sandy Heads to Northeast

Marc Santora highlights the impending hurricane and the conditions that this storm will bring about in the upcoming days for northeastern states with this article. However, the audience Santora seems to be focusing on is the western and central states, most probably attempting to tell those not involved and, consequently, not informed of the serious implications this could have on the eastern coast. An interesting way Santora goes about revealing this information is through a comparison to Hurricane Irene, which struck just this past year. This rhetorical device allowed the article to give more detail and more relevancy, as it drew parallels to a well-known storm that occurred relatively recently. In this way, the states far from the impact points of Hurricane Sandy's path can connect the devastation that approaches the northeast to a similar encounter from the past. Through this comparison, the use of personification, and incredible detail in diction, Santora is able to achieve his purpose, spreading the message of the status of the northeastern states as they face an imminent weather catastrophe. By using descriptive language to explain the preparations people are making and the storm itself, Santora paints the picture of urgency and defense for the people living along the Atlantic and adds bystanders in the western and central states to the support groups to aid the preparations.

Testing My Twins

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/opinion/sunday/testing-my-twins.html?ref=opinion

Could twins hold more similarities than we currently know? This New York Times article, written by Claire Needell Hollander, explains an unusual correlation of test scores between two identical twin sisters. The article, a piece featured in the Opinion section, is addressing those affiliated with the education system (teachers, principals, guidance councilors, etc) as well as parents of children in both public and private schools. Hollander noted that her twin daughters had identical scores on their fourth grade standardized tests and almost exactly the same in fifth grade. However, the scores from fifth grade were fourty points lower than the test in fourth, leading to Hollander’s question: “How could they have not learned anything all year?” She questions whether this drop had something to do with her children’s twin-hood, making knowledge of studies of identical twins very beneficial for the reader. Hollander takes advantage of this situation, converting it from a story of twin relationships to a message of securing the optimal education of American youth. When looking through this lens, readers can confidently conclude that Hollander, with her use of logos, syntax, and repetition, was able to convey her desired message in the article. Maybe, Hollander proposes, we should focus more on the educators teaching our children than the students themselves.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB, says bounty penalties based on 'rhetoric'

In this article, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees delves into the details behind the alleged bounty scandal, a program the league believes funded rewards for players who injured members of the opposing team. More specifically, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is criticized for the punishments being "based upon speculation and rhetoric." Because of the uncertainty that now faces the bounty situation in the eyes of the league, this article attempts to display the effect of these accusations by Saints players on the outlook of the bounty scandal as a whole. The author of this ESPN.com article is speaking to the community that watches and supports the NFL, as the suspensions of Saints players and coaches seems to have played large in the mediocre performance of the team. It was difficult to find the use of rhetorical devices in this article, given that the nonfiction setting makes a writer's top priority to make sure the reader comprehends the event. If the author's purpose was to inform the the reader of the new direction of the bounty system case and leave the feeling of uncertainty surrounding the situation, the writer achieved his purpose, putting the reader at a more informed, but still suspenseful state as they wait for the next shift of momentum in this conflict.

Rory McIlroy: The Biography (IRB #1)

This biography on Rory McIlroy, written by author Frank Worrall, introduces the story of a Northern Irish boy, growing up in an incredibly difficult environment and becoming a golf prodigy. Worrall sets a timeline for the book, highlighting the major milestones in McIlroy's career, including his win at the World Junior Championship at the age of 10, his colossal implosion at the 2011 Masters, and his redemption at the 2011 US Open at Congressional Golf Club. The story emits inspiration and perseverance, geared especially towards those with a strong interest in the game of golf. In this way, a background on golf and even the major competitions McIlroy has participated in the past three years would assist the reader in understanding the life of Rory. Worrall attempts to tell the story of Rory McIlroy and inform the audience of the true grit and practice that goes into becoming the world's best. Though the goal of biographies is to portray the individual without biases, the story is slightly exaggerated with the use of pathos to make the events in the book more powerful. So far, Worrall has done his job, sparking interest in me, the reader, and enticing me to continue moving through the pages and learning more about this golf mastermind.