What’s Inside Coffee?

[[Patterns 13e_e-Reading for Classification and Division 1 of 2, classification]]

Wired

San Francisco–based Wired magazine is a publication devoted to technology and its effects on society and culture. It began publication in 1993. The web version of the magazine regularly includes videos such as the following, which focuses on the composition of coffee.

[video goes here]

image

Questions

Comprehension

Watch “What’s Inside Coffee?” and respond to the following questions.

Question 12.1

What is the main ingredient in a cup of coffee?

Question 12.2

What potential health benefits does coffee have?

Purpose and Audience

Question 12.3

How would you describe the primary purpose of this video?

Question 12.4

What do the video’s creators assume about their audience’s level of knowledge and education? Give specific examples to support your answer.

Mode

Question 12.5

The video includes scientific terms, technical language, and scientific explanations. Do you think this visual mode of presentation is the best way to communicate such information? Why or why not?

Question 12.6

The video uses stylized visual representations (of coffee, people, bugs, rotting meat, etc.) rather than actual photographic or film images. Why do you think the filmmakers chose these kinds of artificial graphics rather than “realistic” ones?

Writing Workshop

Question 12.7

The video explains coffee’s main components by using division. Can coffee drinkers be divided as well? Write an essay that breaks this large group into its smaller components.

Question 12.8

Do you like coffee? Do you drink it regularly? If so, write an essay that breaks down coffee into the specific elements that make it enjoyable for you. If you dislike coffee or do not drink it, divide and analyze the aspects of this drink that make you avoid it.