Blog Post 3

One of the reasons people venture to youtube is to be entertained by a humorous, witty, or unbelieveable video. This video of clips from The Office provides us with such entertainment. But why does is appeal to us so much? Does it have to do with the filming? Is the chemistry between Jim and Dwight so magically appealing that we are drawn to this clip? And are there more factors and details in the video that make up why it is such a success?



The first aspect of this video has to do with the way it was filmed. Since the media is video and the genre is comedy, the makers of this clip can assess what characteristics make it different from others. First of all, they have no music in the background such as in other shows or videos. I believe that this makes the viewer focus on what the actors are saying. It also gives that unsettling atmosphere of a slightly awkward office. Some other unique aspects to the clip are that there are scenes where the actors give a little monologue or "confession" to the camera, making it seem like they are talking to or involving an audience.

The actors themselves play a big role in making this video unique. They have great timing with all of their lines. Jim, in particular can keep up a straight face through an entire prank, adding to the funniness of the fact that Dwight doesn't really know for sure what is going on. The chemistry between the characters is a facet of the clip that really pulls it together. It keeps the attention of the viewers becuase each person is so unique. In contrast, they also embody stereotypical characteristics, such as nerdiness.

One of the things that would make this video not so timeless, though would be the different references made to things going on in the world today. For example, in the clip where Jim impersonates Dwight, Dwight claims that it is "identity theft." Identity theft is a relatively new thing to sweep the nation, and in twenty years or so may no longer be a huge issue. Also, people who were from earlier generations and who are out of touch with society might not get the current humor.

Finally, I think some of the most important details of this clip lie in the editing. It was specifically made just for humor and had a certain theme--Jim vs. Dwight. Each clip was taken from a different episode and compiled just for this viewing pleasure.

Blog Post 2

Animal Cell Diagram

This diagram is one of a microscopic animal cell. It consists of the nucleus in the middles surrounded by organelles such as mitochondria, ribosomes, an endoplasmic reticulum, a cytoplasm, a cell membrane, and many other details within it. The purpose of this model is to simplify the explanation of the structure of an animal cell.

Diagrams, such as this one of the animal cell, are especially effective in a virtual environment. Since no teacher or professor is physically able to describe what each organelle looks like, the diagram helps to form an image to go along with the words written on the web about such parts. This is one of the functions of a diagram: ". . . a drawing or plan that outlines and explains the parts, operation, etc., of something. . ." (dictionary.reference.com). This diagram was originally taken from a website that had an explanation of everything accompanying it. It is taken a bit out of context when not supplied with that information; however, it is still discernable, to most people, to be a diagram of an animal cell. The parts just are not labeled and explained, making it just a pretty picture to look at to the non-science individual. I would say that the meaning of the diagram has not been altered because it is very specific to its topic. This diagram is not going to be confused for anything else, nor is it hard to understand what is going on in the model. However, it is the responsibility of the writer to explain the diagram when it is taken out of context. He or she needs to let the audience know what is taking place or what the model consists of for them to get anything out of looking at the diagram and studying it. There are no labels attached to the model, but the explanation that went with it in its original context helped it make sense to someone who was uniformed. Now, however, each cell part has no explanation. It would be a good idea to draw lines from each organelle and label them and possibly provide an explanation. This aids with writing and has everything to do with it. Diagrams make the actual writing go a lot smoother. The author doesn't have to describe in detail everything that is happening. Rather, he or she can refer to the model and the reader will get a better concept of the idea.

Blog Post 1

"A genuine essay feels less like a monologue than a dialogue between writer and reader. This is a story I need, we conclude after reading the opening paragraph. It will tell me something about the world that I didn't know before, something I sensed but could not articulate." (Atwan 32)

-Kathleen Norris

This quote by Kathleen Norris was one that stayed in my mind awhile as I continued reading through "Essayists on the Essay." The first part of the quote that talks about an essay being a dialogue rather than a monologue was especially striking to me. I hadn't considered the idea of reading a piece of literature that included me throughout the text. I feel that essays should definitely connect to the reader to even have a slight impact on them, and having a two-way essay is a good way to do that. People are generally more interested in a subject if they are involved with the discussion, even if only on a mental level, rather than if they are being talked at as in a giant lecture hall. Using this piece of knowledge would help essayists, I think, gain a larger audience of their work. The dialogue format also contributes to the reader's feelings, as described in the second half of the quote. A person is willing to hear about new and interesting things, and involving them in that discovery makes a wonderful experience as they read through an author's account or thoughts in an essay. Discovering new things about the world, or creative new insights never thought of before are very good subjects to catch a reader's attention, but sometimes the subject matter may be something the reader has pondered before, but never really delved into specifically (". . . something I sensed but could not articulate."). It is the essayists goal, according to this quote, to incorporate this conversational tone to really emphasize the details of the subject to its reader, so they can have words and a meaning to go with the subject they had pondered. Whatever the case, I think this quote is very important when considering what makes a good essay, and can help writers reach out to convey their messages to a public.

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