[[Patterns 13e_e-Reading for Process]]
Wired
San Francisco–based Wired magazine is devoted to technology and its effects on society and culture. It began publication in 1993. The website Wired.com regularly includes videos such as the following, which focuses on the process of making candy canes.
[video goes here]
Questions
Watch “Making a Mint,” and respond to the following questions.
Comprehension
What are the primary ingredients of candy canes?
What aspects of candy cane making are still done by humans?
Purpose and Audience
What do you think the purpose of this video is? To inform? Amuse? Persuade?
This appeared on the Wired magazine website. What is the audience for this video? What do you think these viewers are most interested in?
Mode
How would you describe the music in the background of this video? What effect does the music have on the presentation of the subject?
How does the video of the process present the human labor of making candy canes? Does it look grueling? Fun? Repetitive? How do you think the story would be different if the workers described their roles? If a labor union described them? If advertisers described them?
Writing Workshop
The video shows how candy canes are made. However, that process is actually multiple processes involving different people and various machines. Think of a process from your own experience that involves teamwork, individuals in different roles, and (if possible) the interaction of people and machines or technology. Then, write an essay that explains this process to someone unfamiliar with it.
The video uses narration, music, and visual images to explain the process of making candy canes. How would you explain the process using only writing? Write an essay that does this, and try to use your own words and language; don’t merely rely on the words of the narrator.