Alimu Teerman

English 001A

Professor Kottaras

03 November 2020

(TS)In the article,” Chaos or calm: rewiring the stress response.” featured

in the Yoga international in March 2004, Carrie Demers gives a visual narrative on what stress

looks like. (MP#1) In this story, the hero must choose between two identical doors. But while

one leads to a fair maiden, the other unleashes a ferocious tiger. (ELAB)The author explains

that" when we feel stressed our brain activates the sympathetic nervous system, which has come

to be known as the fight-or-flight response." (ELAB)The side effects of stress are similar to

those of releasing a tiger. (ELAB)Moreover, frequent exposure to stress can lead to the detriment

of our health. (MP#2) Similar to a flight and fight response, a rest and digest component exists in

the nervous system only that is triggered by a sense of equilibrium. (ELAB) Carrie compares

this relief method to "greeting the lady.” (ELAB)The internist explains that Yoga and other

mindful practices are effective in bringing down stress levels. (ELAB)Controlled meditation,

scheduled rest periods, and meditation have proven to be effective among patients. (CS)

Summarily, deliberately participating in mindful practices can help one manage stress and live a

healthier life.
 (TS)Carrie Demers persuasively argues her claim that dealing with stress is as

dangerous as being exposed to a ferocious beast daily, and the only way to win at this unfair

game is to learn how to trigger the rest and digest response. (MP#1)I was impressed with how

she starts the article with an emotional appeal. (ELAB)The speaker compares stress to a life-

threatening situation to make the reader understand how dangerous it can be. (ELAB)The worst

happens when one is under constant stress, and the medical director says, “all the doors seem to

have ferocious tigers behind them.". (ELAB)This is not her most convincing evidence but, it

captures the attention of the reader. (ELAB)In addition to that, she uses the evidence to build her

case against stress; it illustrates the magnitude of the situation, and more importantly, the need to

combat it.

(MP#2)I also appreciated her logical appeal as she tried to explain the effects of

stress on the human body. (ELAB)Carrie gives scientific facts on how the body reacts to stress

and how to rewire the response. (ELAB)Carrie says,” When we feel stressed, our brain activates

the sympathetic nervous system, which has come to be known as the fight-or-flight response.

(ELAB) This reaction causes an adrenaline pump and can be dangerous if activated frequently.

(ELAB)The author incorporates the cause and effect type of evidence into her work. (ELAB)

She explains how stress can trigger a response which causes an adrenaline pump that overtime

causes an increase in blood pressure, indigestion, rapid shallow breathing, and others. (ELAB) I

find this, her most convincing piece of evidence. (ELAB)The medical director explains the

scientific processes in a sequence that makes it easy for the reader to understand.
 (MP#3) In addition to that, Carrie Demers also applies ethical appeal in her work.

(ELAB)Her credentials appear at the end of the article; they mention that she is a medical

director at an institute and also serves as a certified internist. (ELAB)I especially like this

evidence as it anchors the whole article. (ELAB) Knowing her background in science and

mindfulness makes the reader believe what they have read even more. (ELAB) This evidence

explains to the reader that she is an expert in her field, and they should listen to her. (ELAB)This

evidence is not only persuasive but also trustworthy as it checks ut with credible sources from

the internet.

(CS)The author effectively argues her claim that the triggering rest and digest

response is very efficient in reversing the effects of stress on the body. She blends the three

appeals beautifully and gives powerful insight into stress management.

 Works Cited.

Demers, Carrie. “Calm or Chaos: Rewiring the stress response. “Yoga international .2004.
What I have learned about writing is that it involves critical thinking. Understanding the types of

shreds of evidence the author uses and his general claim requires one to comprehend the text on

a deeper level. Throughout the essay, I wondered whether to breakdown my work into other

major pints. However, I also wanted to discuss each appeal in its paragraph. My question is, must

a writer include two major points in a paragraph? Is it wrong to include only one major point per

paragraph? It was easy for me to highlight the claims I wanted to discuss. However, I found it

quite hard discerning whether the story that appears in the first paragraph is an emotional appeal

or not. Based on the rubric, I would award myself ninety-two points because I have followed all

the guidelines closely and am sure I have improved from my analysis assignment.