3 About "On Fairy Stories"

Recently I have been looking for different speeches and articles to write a analysis on. I have gone over multiple speeches from different times and places in history and with different audiences. So far, my mind has fixated on only one: "On Fairy Stories" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Although my  professor says it is way to long, I think I will still try to use it. Nothing else has captured my attention as this lecture has. The topic itself fascinates me, but the delivery is amazing. Reading it is less like reading a lesson than reading a story. I am actually looking forward to writing this analysis.

2 About Mindful Writing

About Mindful Writing

Mindful Writing is an interesting book about writing and rhetoric. There are many things in it that I have never thought of before. I especially like the fact that it is easy to read and believe it or not, entertaining. The author applies his own rules by sharing stories, using easy to read formats, humor, etc. When I read this book, I always find myself thinking about how I can apply what I have learned to my own writing. So far, the book has been a great help in determining what would help catch a reader's attention and hold it.

I have also recoginzed thigns in it from previous English classes. The ideas of ethos, pathos, and logos are not new to me, but the book expounds on them far more than any of my teacher has. It also gives great examples and is easy to remember. I can see this book being very helpful through out my college career. I would definitely recommend this book to every college student. It could be an indispensable companion. 

1 "Things as They Really Are" Analysis

“Things as They Really Are” Analysis

In “Things as They Really Are,” Elder Bednar talks about the dangers of electronic devices and how wrong it is to put a person's body at risk when it is not necessary. He also expounds upon the importance of a physical body and how Satan wants to keep people from seeing “things as they really are”. Elder Bednar uses a serious tone, scripture quotes, and comparison to bring his point across and catch the reader's attention.

From the very beginning of the talk, Elder Bednar takes on a serious tone. By doing this, he conveys the seriousness of the problem he is addressing and catches the reader's attention. He makes it clear that what he is saying is no joking matter and should be paid attention to.

He also draws the reader's attention to scriptures to support his points. This gives what he says more credibility and pulls on the belief instilled into church members that scriptures speak the truth and must be taken seriously. This, coupled with Elder Bednar being a prophet gives weight to his words and makes it hard to ignore. 

Throughout the talk, he gives common, well known examples of how people can mistreat their bodies and compares the evils of electronic devices to them. By associating one with the other, he gives electronic devices the bad stigma that is usually associated with immoral practices and the use of addictive substances. 

Through the use of tone, scriptures, and comparison, Elder Bednar successfully illustrates the dangers of electronic devices and how they can make a person misuse his or her body.