Tow #3 "Mrs. Kennedy and Me" (IRB)

Emily Moyer

Tow #3 “Mrs. Kennedy and Me” (IRB)

September 21, 2014

APELC

Mrs. Kennedy and Me

            Clint Hill, a retired member of the United States Secret Service, shares his time serving socialite and first lady Mrs. Kennedy in his book Mrs. Kennedy and Me. Clint Hill not only worked as a Secret Service agent, but he also was the assistant director of the Secret Service. He wrote his book along with the help of Lisa McCubbin who previously wrote The Kennedy Detail, an award-winning and New York Times bestseller.

            The fascination of Mrs. Kennedy has grown since her role as First Lady. As a close member in her life, Clint Hill writes his memoir for those who want to know more about Mrs. Kennedy’s life. Mr. Hill insightfully shared his time with Mrs. Kennedy to allow readers to see the portrayal of Mrs. Kennedy other than a socialite, but the realness of her being a mother. Mr. Hill provides for such knowledge through short personal experiences with her, anecdotes.

            While Mr. Kennedy was focused on the children of the world, Mrs. Kennedy was always fearful for her two children John and Caroline. After the assignment of Secret Service agents, Mrs. Kennedy shares with Hill, “I’m just so worried about Caroline and John growing up in such a restricted environment. I want them to have as normal a childhood as possible” (Hill 34). Likewise, Hill included his experience with Mrs. Kennedy at their secretive home Glen Ora. In speaking of Kennedy, he shares, “In fact, Mrs. Kennedy was usually doing what she loved- spending time with her children and riding, and always trying to keep out of the public eye” (Hill 50). In sharing his own personal time with Mrs. Kennedy, Hill negates the common portrayals of Mrs. Kennedy. To the public, she is often seen as a socialite and fashion icon, however, Mr. Hill sees her entirely different. In letting the audience know of their time together, the readers acknowledge that most of her time was spent focusing on the safety and growing of her children, not the media. Readers learn from Mr. Hill’s personal accounts that she actually despised the restricted privacy her family was faced with. Mr. Hill effectively included his personal anecdotes with Mrs. Kennedy. In knowing her first hand, he is able to portray her in a way that the media and pictures cannot. Their conversations change viewers perspectives that she is just a socialite, but rather she is a mother first who cares little for growing publicity.        

 

IRB Intro #1: "Mrs. Kennedy and Me"

IRB intro #1: Mrs. Kennedy and Me

            I have chosen to read Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill. Clint Hill was the Secret Service Agent to Mrs. Kennedy throughout her time as the First Lady. He was skeptical at the time, but found to love her grace as all of America did. I am excited to read this non-fiction book because the story follows someone who spent almost every waking minute with a women who changed the White House. I look forward to reading his perspective on the time of success in our nation, and a time of tragedy.

Tow # 2: "Breaking My A.L.S. Promise" (written)

Tow #2: “Breaking My A.L.S. Promise” (Written)

            Sharon Fiffer, a contributor to The New York Times in September and author of mystery series, speaks of the popular “A.L.S. ice bucket challenge” that has been taking over social media. Sharon Fiffer wrote this op-ed piece to share her story of A.L.S. in that it took the life of her husband Gene. The challenge has received a tremendous amount of differing views and she is skeptical about it as well. Fiffer wrote her piece for all skeptical, and shared why she partakes in this challenge.

            As one who has seen the negativity brought on by A.L.S., one would think Fiffer would take a great stand with the challenge. However, she shares that her husband’s wish was for her to not let the deadly disease run her life. Her purpose in writing this piece was to share her story of why she now partakes in the challenge, and so others are less skeptical of the challenge and bring awareness.

            Fiffer included a personal anecdote to enable readers to see the importance of the A.L.S. challenge. An anecdote is a brief instant in one’s life. Fiffer writes of a time when her husband and her had lost hope to A.L.S. “I had imagined a doctor and a lab and a research center that would give us a bottle of pills, a shot in the arm, a plan, a reason to hope. Instead, we’d found a widow” (Fiffer). Sharon Fiffer struggled to accept that little was known of the terminating disease. This past event in her life appeals to reader’s emotions. The anecdote involves pathos which makes readers feel for Fiffer. Readers will then wish that this disease would be cured, so that no other couples and families lose hope. Her anecdote is effective in that it makes readers want to take a stand. Her purpose in writing had been to enable readers to see why the challenge is important, and in sharing her family’s struggles, she makes readers wish for a change. Sharon Fiffer achieved her purpose because her use of an emotional story leads readers to take a stance. Sharing her experience with A.L.S. will help others to recognize the hardships families face, and take part in the challenge so that someday other families will not have to lose hope.      

TOW #1: How to Say Nothing in 500 Words

Emily Moyer

TOW #1

September 7, 2014

How to Say Nothing in 500 Words

 

            Paul Roberts, an appreciator and instructor of the English language, shares his expert opinion on composing an essay in “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words.” Paul Roberts is notable for how he explains the ways of composing an essay. He includes not only what the writer should be thinking of, but also what a teacher expects of a writer. With a background in textbook writing, Roberts brings credibility and expertise in authorizing how to write an essay.

            “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”, is approachable to all students who desire strong writing skills. Strong writing skills go beyond the letter grade of an A, but pushes writers to be purposeful. In his essay, Paul Roberts exemplifies being purposeful in that he strategically uses figurative language. He intends to show readers the correct way of writing an essay, by being purposeful, so he provides figurative language to help prove his point.

 Figurative language is often seen when a text is not meant for literal interpretation. Roberts’ use of such a rhetorical device helps readers understand the composition of a well written essay. Moreover, the use of a metaphor in “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words”, enables readers to recognize that written word must be purposeful. Roberts says, “The writer builds with words, and no builder uses a raw material more slippery and elusive and treacherous” (Roberts 64). A writer and builder vastly differ, but the comparison helps elude to the fact that both must be thoughtful. A builder uses a material that is best fitted for the job of holding together a building. In the same style, a writer must choose a word that is straightforward and understandable for the reader. In drawing a parallel between the two, Robert allows readers to see that in order to achieve the skills of writing, one must be purposeful and thoughtful.

Paul Roberts succeeded in explaining to writers that having purpose is the convenient way of writing an essay. In looking deeper into Roberts’ essay, he exemplified what his entire essay was about by being purposeful. He purposefully used figurative language to his advantage, as he wishes other writers to do. “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words” is a prime example of what Roberts says is an “A” essay.