Grouping texts on persuasion

Text B, C, D, and E share the primary or secondary purpose to persuade. Texts D and C choose to use a web-address as a way to persuade the reader to look into further information about what they are saying. Text D is a magazine aimed towards children and so to grab their attention they put the web-address into a separate box in the bottom middle of the page, standing it out from the rest of the text. The web-address in text D also appeals to it's target audience of children with the word "info" instead of 'information' as it is shorter and quicker to read and possibly easier to read for their younger audiences. Text C does something similar of putting the web-address in a eye-catching spot by having it in bold at the bottom of the page underneath information about the author of the book it's from. There are actually 3 web-addresses, one for each of his main books and one about himself. This would appeal to loyal readers who buy all his books and would want to know as much about them as possible, and also new readers just getting interested in the franchise and might want to find more of his work.These are both strong and weak inclusions as the texts are trying to inform their audience, but also either persuade their audience into signing up for a swim team (text D) or to read more of the authors books (Text C). A strong inclusion is text B which is a extract of a health and safety segment of a game booklet, the whole purpose of a health and safety segment is to inform the audience but also to persuade them not to do anything dangerous by informing them of the consequences. the beginning of the booklet starts out with the word "please", this polite register makes the audience want to follow this action as it seems more of a request. The use of polite words engages with the audience much the way that direct address does. Text B does use direct address as a method of persuasion, as does text E. Text E is from a porridge package which makes it a strong inclusion to this group as it's purpose is to persuade their audience to buy their product. They do this by using 2nd person direct address much like text B does by using "your" implying that the audience have already bought the product as it is something they 'need'. Another way that text E persuades their audience to buy their product is hyperbolic language, the use of "deliciously creamy" makes their product sound appealing and thus someone would want to purchase it to experience the delicious and creamy porridge. 

so i herd u liek mudkipz: Affordances and Constraints

 

'so i herd u liek mudkipz' has been a popular internet meme since early 2005. The user has taken the meme and, while using an image of a mudkip, has changed the text font and style to that of old time English. This particular meme was around before most social networking sites and so it would've been mostly found of internet forums like this one here. This particular meme would appeal to fans of the popular game and anime series 'Pokemon' and thus means that it already has a pre-created fanbase surrounding the meme which would help the spread of it around the internet and into many internet forums and YouTube spoof videos which hit around a million views each. By changing the noun mudkips to 'kips of the mud' it adds a humours edge to the meme and in turn also cements that it is a ye-olde-english parody of the popular phrase. An affordance is that this image is easy to spread around and the meme itself is easily adaptable and can be put into any form of internet communication (eg Facebook, Twitter, comment section, YouTube). But, a constraint it that many people might not get this meme if they are not a fan of 'Pokemon'.

Research into the Princess phone

The Princess phone went into production in 1959 by the supply arm, Bell System. They wanted to create something which the customer wanted and was both decoration and a great utility. 
Despite complaints about the prototype being unbalance and sliding whenever someone tried to dial, Bell Labs decided to disregard the complaints and manufacture it anyway. Bell Labs lost millions of dollars as a counter weight had to be installed after purchasers complained. 
The original colours of the phone was any generic phone colour (white, pink, light beige, light blue and turquoise) but black which was made available in 1963 (as well as green, yellow and grey). 
The Princess phone got a very bad reputation for many reasons, the main reason though was the fact that it was very easy to knock the headset off the cradle; but, despite its flaws it still has one of the most beloved telephone designs of all time

Transcript Analysis

There is a 6 second long pause in the transcript. This is between 'like' and a description of a hook. Based on the long pause we can assume that the speaker was looking at the hook and was trying to find the best way to describe it. With added context about what is actually happening we can assume that the first speaker is looking at the picture while the second speaker is probably trying to complete the last task given to them. The 6 seconds appear after the word 'like' which is typically use as as filler in today's society and so by having the pause after the filler clearly shows some level of thought supporting the idea that the speaker is trying to think of an appropriate way of describing the hook. 

The use of unconventional pronunciation of ''bout' is another example of the way language has adapted in today's modern society just like the use of 'like' as a filler. The speaker says ''bout' in stead of 'about' which shows how language is normally spoken differently to how it is wrote, and by shortening 'about' it give a casual register. The use of ''bout' could also be because of an accent and with context, we know that this was spoken in Bristol so this is highly probable.

Abstract Passion - A Mini Saga

Crimson sheets soaked in lust, blackened thoughts with questionable memories.
"What happened?"
Painful wrists hoisted body up.
The sun arrives, destroying the dark. Harsh light irritates the eyes.
A stretch to used muscles and a heart singing with youth.
The sheets were pulled back
Thunk!
A head to the floor.

Gods Among Us #1: DOWNEY JR.

  

Gods Among Us #1: DOWNEY JR. [over a large picture of Robert Downey Jr.]

　

Rising up from the land to become a god; watch out Icarus. Robert Downey Jr.: a god among men. By Georgia Gould Bishton.

　

If you ever go onto Mr Downey’s Twitter you will find that his bio is simply, “You know who I am” and honestly, he could not be more accurate. If you don’t know who he is you have been living under a sad and depraved rock for the past 6 years. After 3 drug arrests over 2 years, Downey shows the world that he still has it creating a career made out of iron and inspiring the generations to come.

　

In 2008 this ‘fine wine’ was cast as Marvel’s Iron Man. Now I don’t know about you, but have you ever been cast as a superhero and the original writer liked your performance so much that he changed the characters personality to match your interpretation? No? Didn’t think you did. This man set the bar impossibly high for all actors after him and he didn’t even try. After the colossal success of Iron Man, Downey was cast in 2 sequels as well as Avengers and a sequel to that on top. Spitting out the great movies like Paul W.S. Anderson spits out bad ones; Downey tops the Forbes list of highest paid actors, and rightly so.

　

Robert Downey Jr. is praised by fans across his roles by not just playing his characters, but bringing them to life. In the world of talent Downey has it in spades and even Ben Stiller said, “In the realm where box office is irrelevant and talent is king, the realm that actually means something, he has always ruled”. Not only is he an amazing actor but he’s also incredibly attractive. Coming onto 50 he can single handed make a group of weak kneed fans fall and (like a gentlemen) help them back up. If scientist were trying to genetically manipulate a perfect human being they might have just done it with our very Adonis and let him off into the world to make girls (and boys) cry with want.

(If you do not believe me that he is ungodly attractive then look at the picture above and believe.)

Now, I know what you're thinking, how can this man possibly be this amazing? I know, I feel the same way too. Even with his history Robert Downey Jr. still managed to create a successful career and even bounced away from the title of 'that one guy that played Charlie Chaplin'. Four decades in the business and still growing strong while leaving a path of sass and happiness in his wake.

Currently, Mr Downey Jr is mostly known for his role in the Iron Man series, Avengers and The Incredible Hulk. Playing a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist isn't easy but RDJ takes it in his stride and enjoys the role a little more than the average actor. While Iron Man is his most successful role, it isn't his only role. The Singing Detective, Kiss Kiss Bang Band, Gothika (where he met his current wife, Susan Downey), Tropic Thunder and Sherlock Holmes just to add a few to his repertoire. He's a man of many talents that brings humour and life to all of the characters he plays as well as a few ad libs here and there.

Talented, funny and good looking. What more could you want? How about a great dad! RDJ has 2 children and another one on the way over 2 marriages. He's been quoted by his wife about being a great diaper changer as well (a job none of us wish to do). His own dad was a huge part of his life being an inspiration as an actor as well as being an 'underground' film-maker and landing Robert Downey Jr.'s first role in the acting biz as a puppy in Pound.

Brits: The scariest thing about this month is the weather.

Halloween is in 28 days, Christmas is in 83 and my mother's rocking a summer dress.

Georgia Gould Bishton 
The Guardian, Friday 3rd October 2014

A casual wake up routine of having a wash, eating breakfast and getting dressed comes crashing down with the iPhone weather app. Every morning I look at that double-crossing app to determine wether it is jacket day or not and ever since the first day of autumn, I have decided to screw the app and just sling a shirt over whatever I am wearing.  It's not a choice I wish to make, but it is one I must if I want to keep up with the incomprehensible elements. 

In the morning on my 40 minute walk, it's freezing my nuts off. On my way back my chestnuts are roasting. The weather is as temperamental as my alarm which doesn't go off and leaves me running late (coincidentally so does the weather as it makes me spend more time choosing what shirt to wear out of the three I own). I am generally not one to complain about the weather as I am never outside to either enjoy it or show disdain of it but now I am forced to be out in it for a minimum of two times a day and so I feel like I am granted the famous British strop. 

As someone who enjoys carrying around as little as she possibly can, I feel burdened by the load the weather puts on my luggage. A knitted hat, fingerless gloves, sunglasses and deodorant are now essentials with my tackle. Annoying. 

The weather has taken over my life and has left me a confused heap on the ground muttering, '13 degrees celsius' in a fort of blankets with all the windows open and 'Cool Runnings' playing in the background (ironically of course). I just wish that winter would get here so I can wear my tacky Christmas jumper, drink hot chocolate and not be bombarded with intense heat.