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" Why leaves turn color in the fall" - Gael Garcia 

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" Why leaves turn color in the fall" - Gael Garcia 

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In "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," Diane Ackerman employs a variety of rhetorical devices, including personification and imagery, to make her point. In sentence 10, "However, they first change color and excite us for weeks on end. When that happens, they crush and pop underfoot (Ackerman 10)." Ackerman depicts the transformation of leaves from being lovely to being destroyed on the ground using onomatopoeia and auditory images. When Ackerman says, "In time, they will become brittle and, like the body, return to dust," she is also using personification. Ackerman compares the decomposition of a human being to the final stage of the cycle of a leaf. She uses personification to enhance her point by equating a leaf with a person.

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In Diane Ackermans essay Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (1990), she incorporates the usage of personification and Biblical references to create a compelling message proving that a leafs cycle relates to the human life cycle. Ackerman uses personification to create a connection towards the aging of a leaf and the aging of a human she states “The leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fists before they actually fall off.” (Ackerman 1). By doing this she portrayed the image to the reader of the leaves falling, but the personification of this line creates a relation to representing a person aging as when one ages they start to get weaker and eventually pass away. Ackerman also evokes the usage of a Biblical reference when stating “Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with leaves” (Ackerman 8).  In addition she states leafs always hide one's secrets, proving that regardless of the trees leafs beauty and sense of innocence, as they fall this causes the sense of beauty and innocence to be removed just as Adam and Eve were considered perfect until they were caught eating the forbidden fruit and were sinners. To conclude, after reading this essay and further analyzing it, I now view leafs as a form of a new beginning as we discussed in class, we all will leave a legacy behind when we pass and we can choose what our legacy will look like. Ackerman made me realize this as she states “Sometimes one finds in fossil stones the imprint of a leaf, long since disintegrated whose outlines remind us how detailed, vibrant, and alive are the things of this earth that perish.”(Ackerman 10). As natures leafs leaves behind a form of legacy as they continue to reappear every season, I must choose the legacy I want to leave behind. I realized I need to learn to live in the present and grasp everything around me before its too late in order for me to create the legacy I want to leave behind one day. 

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In Diane Ackermans essay Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (1990), she incorporates the usage of personification and Biblical references to create a compelling message proving that a leafs cycle relates to the human life cycle. Ackerman uses personification to create a connection towards the aging of a leaf and the aging of a human she states “The leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fists before they actually fall off.” (Ackerman 1). By doing this she portrayed the image to the reader of the leaves falling, but the personification of this line creates a relation to representing a person aging as when one ages they start to get weaker and eventually pass away. Ackerman also evokes the usage of a Biblical reference when stating “Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with leaves” (Ackerman 8).  In addition she states leafs always hide one's secrets, proving that regardless of the trees leafs beauty and sense of innocence, as they fall this causes the sense of beauty and innocence to be removed just as Adam and Eve were considered perfect until they were caught eating the forbidden fruit and were sinners. To conclude, after reading this essay and further analyzing it, I now view leafs as a form of a new beginning as we discussed in class, we all will leave a legacy behind when we pass and we can choose what our legacy will look like. Ackerman made me realize this as she states “Sometimes one finds in fossil stones the imprint of a leaf, long since disintegrated whose outlines remind us how detailed, vibrant, and alive are the things of this earth that perish.”(Ackerman 10). As natures leafs leaves behind a form of legacy as they continue to reappear every season, I must choose the legacy I want to leave behind. I realized I need to learn to live in the present and grasp everything around me before its too late in order for me to create the legacy I want to leave behind one day. 

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-Karyme Romero 3 Period

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In "Why the leaves turn colors in the fall" Diane Ackerman utilizes many methods of rhetorical devices such as visual imagery and scientific terminology. She does this so that she's able to allow the reader to visualize the description that she's giving. For example, in paragraph 5, "Basswood turns bronze, birches bright gold. Water-loving maples put on a symphonic display of scarlets. Sumacs turn red too." The reader is able to imagine the colors while being educated on why they are turning that certain color. It also allows arouses the readers curiosity of what other colors other trees might produce. She also uses scientific terminology throughout most of the essay to educate the reader so that they are able to understand why they change. For example, " A corky layer of cells forms at the leaves' slender petioles, then scars over. Undernourished, the leaves stop producing the pigment chlorophyll, and photosynthesis." (Paragraph 2) She gives the process of why the colors change and reasoning when she describes them in a way which also ties back to visual imagery. Diane Ackerman uses these two methods to allow the reader to gain information from her essential message.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Yaquelin Santos (per.6)

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Yaquelin Santos (per.6)

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In Diane Ackerman’s essay, Why leaves turn color in the fall, she includes a vast number of literary devices and methods that structure her writing to be interesting and convincing. Methods such as auditory imagery (onomatopoeia) and allusions/references give her writing compelling features. Words like, “rattle…sizzling…shush…” (Akerman 1,6&10) allow the reader to imagine the sound in great detail, and convince the reader as if they were in the very moment of Fall. Furthermore,Ackerman provides specific biblical and etymology references for her description of the word Fall, “”Fall” from the old English feallan, … the garden of Eden… Adam and Eve.” (Ackerman 7&8). References like this enhance her writing by providing deeper meaning, and create better understanding to those who are perhaps religious or very well educated on etymology. The usage of onomatopoeia develops a soothing harmony to the reader's tongue and allusions create credibility to herself because providing particular references she portrays to be well educated and have a broad perspective on meaning of Fall and life.

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In the title why leaves turn color in the fall, by Diane Ackerman uses many literary devices to convey her message, but the two devices that make her distinctive are the usage of descriptive langue and personification of the leaves. Ackerman describes the leaf's colors, shape, and surroundings making me easily imagine how the leafs would look if they were to be in front of me, the sound of leaves being stepped on, and the cold feeling of the breeze. In the second Devices, the personification of the leaves stuck out because they felt poetic, this kept the reader engaged in the text and even repeating the line because the scenes felt nice. The usage of descriptive and peronsfication made her argument complementing, converting can interesting.

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In “Why do Leaves Turn Color in the Fall”, written by Diana Ackerman, she uses a variety of rhetorical devices in order to appeal to the audience and further her research of the life cycle consisting of leaves, and humans. Her essay consists of much imagery, an example being: “Early- morning frost sits heavily on the grass and turns barbed wire into a string of stars,” (Ackerman 1)which means that frost sparkles brightly on wire in the woods. This image adds meaning to the essay because it allows the reader to experience the changing of the leaves in fall, which Ackerman describes so vividly, through the visual senses. Ackerman uses an analytical strategy, as she goes through the scientific changes and process of nature. She breaks down the process of the leaves, and explains the chlorophyll process, to compares it to the cycle of a human life. Ackerman compares the leaves to living things when she writes, “in time, they become fragile, and like the body, return to dust,” (Ackerman 6)and goes on to say they are as we hope to be when we die, “Not to vanish, just to sublime from one beautiful state into another.” There are many rhetorical devices that she uses to describe the fall season. Similes: Fall is the time she leaves fall from the trees, just as spring is when flowers spring up,” which compares leaves falling to flowers. Personification: “Fall is staggering in, right on schedule, with its baggage of chilly nights, macabre holidays, and spectacular, heart-stoppingly beautiful leaves.” (Ackerman 1) By using the word staggering, she personifies fall, as “rushing in” hence giving it human characteristics. (Aayala Aparicio Per.6)

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman adds numerous rhetorical strategies, including personification and onomatopoeia, to give her essay compelling features. Ackerman extended her easy past just the science behind a leaf, changing its color into a larger conversation. We discovered that a more extensive conversation was at play when Ackerman used personification in the first paragraph when she wrote, "Fall is staggering in, on schedule, with its baggage of chilly nights…" (Ackerman 1). Since fall is a season, it cannot "stagger"; that is something only animals and people can perform. Further down the first paragraph, Ackerman adds, "Soon the leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fists before they fall off" (Ackerman 1). Fall, a season, does not have fists to which it can "clench" nor have "baggage." Therefore it can be concluded that the larger conversation is about people. Throughout her essay, Akerman embeds not only visual imagery but auditory imagery as well. She does so by incorporating onomatopoeia on many occasions. For example, in the first paragraph, "Soon the leaves will start cringing off the trees and roll up in clenched fists... there will be weeks of gushing color so bright, so pastel, so confetti-like, that people will travel up and down the East Coast just to stare at it." With the use of onomatopoeia, in using "cringing," "clenched," and "gushing" Ackerman accomplished very vivid images for her reader. Diane Ackerman's use of rhetorical strategies made her witting compelling to her readers.

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In Diane Ackerman’s Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, she utilizes many rhetorical devices, personification and biblical allusions among them, to keep readers attentive and amused while she explores a deeper, larger conversation within her analysis on the change of colors in leaves in the autumn time. Ackerman incorporates her readers into her work by establishing a connection between them and her essay through personification: “When the days begin to shorten, soon after the summer solstice on June 21, a tree reconsiders its leaves,” to keep the readers intrigued as they become able to relate to the content of the essay (Ackerman 2). She plays to the fact that the readers are humans who, like all other humans, reconsider and reflect as their days come to maturity and then to a close- also hinting at her intended larger conversation. The correlation between human and tree serves as an interesting introduction and a lead into her larger conversation. Later in the essay, Ackerman alludes to the garden of Eden: “As we say the word, we’re reminded of that other Fall, in the garden of Eden, when fig leaves never withered and scales fell from our eyes,” (Ackerman 7).She includes this allusion so that she can give a clear representation of one of many ideas of her larger conversation. Here, she shows how life was not always a cycle, but rather continuous. It only became known as the cycle of life after the loss of innocence; it was only then that leaves began to fall. With the allusion, she created an impassioned attitude for the readers to feel as she explains her viewpoint- or at least a portion of it as she writes much more- on the cycle of life, her larger conversation.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Jason Salgado

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Jason Salgado

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In "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," Diane Ackerman uses many rhetorical strategies to convey her message, such as imagery and personification. In paragraph 10, " But first they turn color and thrill us for weeks on end. Then they crunch and crackle underfoot, (Ackerman 10)" Ackerman uses an onomatopoeia and auditory imagery to show leaves being beautiful, then being destroyed on the ground. Ackerman also uses personification when she states," In time, they will become fragile and, like the body, return to dust(Ackerman 6)." Ackerman describes the final part of the cycle of a leaf to a a human body disintegrating. By using personification she compares a leaf to a human to further spread her overall message of Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall. After analyzing and seeing all the rhetorical strategies that Diane Ackerman uses my perspective of a leaf has changed.

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Diane Ackerman utilizes numerous rhetorical strategies in "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" that lend a hand in revealing her descriptive and absorbing writing style. Ackerman uses the method of rampant personification in the opening paragraphs of the essay, with phrases such as "Fall is staggering in...", "...a tree reconsiders its leaves.", and a multitude of examples similar to those (Paragraph 1, 2). First and foremost, personification serves to categorize the season of fall as a dramatic and sudden event; the brazen nature of autumn remains a characteristic Ackerman and several other individuals deeply appreciate. In the same sense, the audience could learn to appreciate this chilly season in a similar fashion. The romanticization of fall through the use of personification and descriptive language allows the reader to become invested in how the stage is set for the next couple months of the year. In the next paragraph, Ackerman uses personification to portray the actions of trees in a somewhat negative light; the way in which she illustrates the leaves' plight as a result of the tree's action for self-sufficiency paints a brutal picture in the audience's imagination. Ackerman desires the reader to feel grief for the leaves, for that the cause of their beauty during this season is the cause of their death. In general, this prominent use of personification allows Ackerman to open the floodgates on the larger, philosophical lecture she wishes to conduct with the readers. In addition, Ackerman employs the the strategy of inclusionary pronouns during her recollections in order to further connect with her audience, even when the experiences are completely alien to them. Phrases such as "They remind us...", "We especially like..." and "She has seen the motion before..." all serve to include the audience within Ackerman's self-philosophy. These types of pronouns convince and influence the reader to draw similar conclusions to what Ackerman writes about. Even though a vast majority of individuals have not flown a plane before, Ackerman's third-person retelling of her own flight experience can impact the reader to think of their own parallels to the swaying of leaves. These two variations of the strategies personification and inclusionary language characterize Ackerman's writing as astoundingly comforting, which allows her extremely personal message to fully impact her readers.

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MMHS Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (Juan Rodriguez,  Period 3)

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MMHS Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (Juan Rodriguez,  Period 3)

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman incorporates several rhetorical devices to convey a larger conversation upon death and the beauty within it, compelling not to be afraid of it but rather admire death. To convey these ideas she utilizes extensive amounts of visual imagery and Personification. She describes the bright and beautiful colors of leaves as they die, later calling out that we stop to admire them, forgetting they are dying, or already dead. Akerman states "But first there will be weeks of gushing color so bright, so pastel, so confetti like, that people will travel up and down the east coast just to stare at it--a whole season of leaves."(Akerman 1) and "Walk down a lane overhung with trees in the never-never land of Autumn, and you will forget about time and death, lost in the sheer delicious spill of color".(Akerman 8) expanding the admiration of death in leaves and incorporating it to not only leaves but the death of people. The approach which Akerman personifies leaves has a lasting affect making a familiar resemblance with leaves and humans making death an easier toping to come about. She does this claiming "...in the dog days of summer the tree begins pulling nutrients... and gradually chokes off it's leaves."(Akerman 2) and “In time, they will become fragile and, like the body, return to dust” (Ackerman 6). Akerman makes conscious the beauty of death by metaphorically connecting the life cycle of leaves and our deaths.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Angelica Sanchez, period 3 

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Angelica Sanchez, period 3 

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The most prominent rhetorical strategy that Akerman used is visual imagery. She uses it in the beginning of the essay by including a rhetorical question which asked,"Was that a golden finch perching in the early September woods, or just the first turning leaf," (Akerman 1). This one descriptive sentence causes the reader to visualize the scene being described to them, but also causes curiosity within them, because of non-apparent similarities between both living things. She continues this descriptive imagery throughout the essay. In my case, when I first read that line the scene of a golden finch immediately popped into my head and as I continued to read more, visual imagery was continuously used affecting my curiosity to continue to read. The second most distinguished rhetorical strategy used by Akerman would be personification. She first uses it to describe the change to fall from summer as, "...a tree reconsiders its leaves," (Ackerman 2). By giving a tree a human characteristic she opens the idea that in this essay tree and leaves will be representing humans. Figuring this out is very eye opening especially since it's the key to figuring out the true purpose of the essay.

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In the essay, Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman utilizes personification as well as scientific diction to convey her message in a reliable, yet compelling manner. For instance, she states, “In time, they will become fragile and, like the body, return to dust” (Ackerman 6). As shown, the author personifies a leaf as if it were a human being that weakened and eventually encountered death. In doing so, this brings about awareness regarding one’s own life and wondering about the aspect of approaching death itself. This may be a gloomy topic although it increases the value of life encouraging people to live to the fullest and take advantage of such privilege that not many people get to enjoy. Moreover, Ackerman uses scientific terms to expand credibility. She states, “Unlike the carotenoids, which color carrots, squash, and corn, and turn leaves orange and yellow, anthocyanin varies from year to year…” (Ackerman 4). Clearly, the author includes factual information that upholds her claims and supports them. This also provides readers a concise understanding of the reason leaves change colors aside from her strategic usage of personification and other rhetorical devices to make implications.

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Within Ackerman’s, Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, the style that characterizes her: explanation and details that come from her research since like the Zookeeper Wife, she researched on the process of a leaf in order to write this authentically. For example, she uses scientific diction that’s appropriate for the topic on leaves, “fragile threads of fluid-carrying xylem…yellow and red as the chlorophyll...in Europe, the warm humid weather turns leaves brown or mildly yellow” (Ackerman). These examples given allows the reader to either research to understand more on leaves, allows for the readers to believe in her credibility, and that also like the ladder part of the quote given makes it simple for one to understand since her research turned into that of describing. Another method she utilizes in this selection although not used often created a connection to the larger conversation through etymology, “fall from the Old English feallan, to fall…Indo-European phol, which also means fall” (Ackerman). This shows that it’s that of the fall season but in the next two sentences they used this quote to bring up the other fall where man fell from heaven to earth in which it gives a contrast of that of the origin of the word to that of the origin of man when men fell to earth. These two methods highlight her research for this selection to give readers clarity and understanding of the subject, but also the want to research when one doesn’t know all the scientific vocabulary.

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Ackermans' style of writing stands descriptive. Her way of achieving the depths of her essay through specific methods can be biblical allusion and positive connotations. In paragraph 7, she states, "As ... we are reminded of that other Fall ... when fig trees never withered, and scales fell from our eyes." (Ackerman 7). During Fall, the leaves wither, but in the biblical story of Adam and Eve, before Eve disobeyed God, the plants never died as the trees do now. After Eve disobeyed God, her eyes opened, realizing she stood naked. Assuming that Ackerman's audience knows of the story, she connected that Fall with the fall of leaves that, after falling, acknowledge they stand bare. In addition, Ackerman utilizes specific words to uplift her audience that the transition of a leaf, in the end, stands beautiful. Her word usage of descriptiveness allows the audience to connect and visualize her explanations visually. She noted words such as "shimmer, sizzling, urgent, marvels, thrilling, radiant." (Ackerman 6) to lighten the audience's weight that they may be feeling due to drastic changes. Her methods and strategies allowed me to acknowledge that a growth of a leaf, or in other words, a human, is beautiful and has meaning.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Araceli Torres

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Araceli Torres

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In “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall”, written by Diane Ackerman uses a variety of rhetorical strategies in order to explain the cycle leaves go through similarly to the life cycle of humans. She establishes her claim by mainly using Visual imagery and Parallelism throughout the essay. At the end of paragraph 2 to the beginning of paragraph 3, Ackerman applies the usage of parallelism, “It survives by dropping its leaves, and by the end of autumn only a few fragile threads of fluid-carrying xylem hold leaves to  their stems. A turning leaf”.(Ackerman, P2) In these two paragraphs the author continuously uses the suffix ‘ing’ in a way where the words look like a list, as if she’s listing the procedures of life/the cycle of a leaf’s life. Another example is in Paragraph 6, “They shimmer with the colors of sunset, spring flowers, the tawny buff of a colt’s pretty rump, the shuddering pink of a blush.”(Ackerman, P6). Through visual imagery, the audience can paint a vivid picture of the color the leaves are, it helps the audience feel like they are there in person to see the leaves and trees. Through rhetorical devices, Ackerman achieves to keep the reader engaged with the writing as well as keeping the reader interested.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Viridiana Torres (period 6)

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Viridiana Torres (period 6)

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman utilizes visual imagery and descriptive diction. Ackerman states, “ They shimmer with the colors of sunset, spring flowers, the tawny buff of a colt’s pretty rump, the shuddering pink of a blush” (Ackerman, paragraph 6). When she utilizes visual imagery, it helps the reader picture the message. When she mentioned the colors of sunset,spring flowers, and a colt, I could picture the red and orange mixed, the flowers that are blooming, and a colt. Another example of visual imagery states, “Early-morning frost sits heavily on the grass and turns barbed wire into a string of stars” (Ackerman, paragraph 1). This helped me visualize the visible and slippery frost on the grass. The descriptive diction along with the visual helps me understand the text better and understand the reason for using beautiful words to describe the leaves in the fall. These rhetorical devices help make her writing compelling because the reader will be able to picture the text. Without these rhetorical choices her writing would have been boring and confusing.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall-Marisol Ramirez(period 3)

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall-Marisol Ramirez(period 3)

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Diane Ackerman's writing style in "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is poetic. She implements rhetorical devices such as personification and rhetorical questions to deliver this style throughout the essay. In paragraph 1, she states "Fall is staggering in", to describe the oncoming season. Instead of plainly stating the arrival of the season, she gives it the human action of staggering. When a person staggers, it is usually from intoxication or fatigue, so when she applies this to fall she implies that fall's arrival is chaotic. The landscape shifts gradually from blue skies and green trees to autumn's gloom and brilliant colors. We appreciate both seasons but the shift is significant, similarly to the final stages of a person's life. A person comes to a certain age when the body no longer functions how it used to and the natural decline towards death begins. Another rhetorical device Ackerman utilizes is rhetorical questions. In paragraph 2, she begins with a rhetorical question that she answers with elegance,"Where do the colors come from?". She is able to introduce new concepts in her essay through rhetorical questions and it flows eloquently. The questions she asks are questions the audience has never considered because it seems so insignificant how the leaves change colors, we are only interested in admiring them. Later in the paragraph she asks "But where can a tree go?", when she mentions how animals protect themselves from the cold during winter. This is something that we do not take into consideration when the season changes but because the question has been brought up, we are immediately intrigued. We are suddenly hungry for the answer even though we have never questioned it.

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Why Leaves Turn Colors in the Fall -Amy Cossyleon

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Why Leaves Turn Colors in the Fall -Amy Cossyleon

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I would describe Ackerman’s style of writing as beautifully descriptive. In, Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman utilizes rhetorical strategies such as hypophora and biblical allusions to engage and interest her readers. Throughout her writing, Ackerman uses hypophora in the beginning portion of her essay and throughout the rest for instance, when she asks, “Where do colors come from?” (Ackerman 2). She uses this to invite her readers into her conversation and also to capture their interest. However, Ackerman answers her questions throughout the essay to inform her readers about the progression of leaves. She does this for the readers to focus on the larger conversation; Ackerman compares leaves to people. For that to happen, she must ensure that the reader attains this prior knowledge so that the transition from the surface conversation to a more metaphorical one. Hypophora allows her to make this transition easier for the reader. The second device Ackerman uses is biblical allusions. For example, in paragraph 7 she writes, “As we say the word, we’re reminded of the other Fall.” The “word” alludes to the word fall and expresses how it reminds us of a well-known biblical concept, the fall of man. She uses this allusion to further the transition from a once bright green leaf attached to a tree to a red, yellow, and orange one that falls off.  She compares it to the aging process of a human’s transition from a once dependent child to an independent adult. Much like leaves, Adam and Eve were once dependent on God and were in an area full of vegetation. After biting the forbidden fruit, however, they were stripped of their privileges and immortality. Much like how a leaf eventually runs out of strings of xylem and survives off itself before it eventually dries up.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall -Arianna Rojas P.3

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall -Arianna Rojas P.3

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In "Why Do Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," written by Diane Ackerman uses several methods highlighting figures of speech to depict a phenomenon in nature occurring in a cycle reminiscent of the human life cycle; she achieves theses effect by using two main rhetorical methods personification and metaphors. In the very first opening paragraph, Ackerman states, “The stealth of autumn catches one unaware” (Ackerman 1) she’s personifying stealth to autumn while displaying human characteristics as we live our day-to-day life we never tend to notice autumn approaching until it catches us unaware like an old friend catching up to us in surprise, in turn giving a sense of nostalgia. Later, following up in the third sentence “Keen-eyed as leopards, we stand still and squint hard, looking for signs of movement.” (Ackerman 1) Utilizing a metaphor to compare us to keen-eyed leopards as we wait for signs of autumn approaching allowing us a moment to reflect on the truth as most often or not we do wait for those signs of autumn. Ackerman uses these two rhetorical devices to communicate the importance of nature's fall while applying that ideology to our lives.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diana Ackerman employs several figures of speech to take the conversation beyond the phenomenon. Personification and similes are two specific rhetorical tactics that Ackerman uses in the essay. The reason for using these rhetorical devices is for the comprehension of the larger conversation. In the text Ackerman discloses that “splotches of yellow and red as the chlorophyll gradually breaks down. Dark green seems to stay longest in the veins”. (Ackerman 3) She personifies the leaves through the use of the word vein but she takes it a step further. Before the sentence about the veins, she mentions plants in the fall season having blotches of color. A connection can be made with the blotches leaves have when they start to get closer to their end to the age spots people get as they mature and are commonly seen in people older than 50. Ackerman also uses similes when she expresses “In time, they will become fragile and, like the body, return to dust” (Ackerman 6) The use of similes create deeper understanding as the reader now has a point of reference to better understand the message of how the leaves represent the human life cycle Ackerman is trying to explain.  Overall by using both similes and personification Ackerman explains the connection that the cycle leaves go through is a representation of the cycle people go through in life.

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MMHS Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (Gloria Velazquez Period:3)

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MMHS Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (Gloria Velazquez Period:3)

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Diane Ackerman in her title, Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, uses rhetorical devices such as personification and scientific diction  to create works which bring clarity to audiences over the topic of the life cycle. Ackerman consistently personifies objects such as leaves throughout her selection. An example of this personification includes when she discloses, “At last the truth dawns on us: Fall is staggering in, right on schedule,”(Ackerman 1). She personifies leaves since she implies that they stagger like humans do. As she personifies objects, such as leaves, she creates an environment in which she can broaden her discussion which she wholeheartedly does as she continues to link leaves with the cycle of life and then later to the efforts that people do to create a legacy for themselves. Not only does Ackerman use personification to make her style more compelling but she also utilizes scientific diction mixed in with visual imagery which captures the attention of the reader. An example presents itself as she explains, “ It survives by dropping its leaves, and by the end of autumn only a few fragile threads of fluid-carrying xylem hold leaves to their stems”(Ackerman 2). In this statement she describes the process of leaves falling, in not only scientific terms, but visual terms which allows for the audience to become intrigued with the topic as curiosity forms. As a result, Ackerman successfully explains her ideas while remaining informative which allows for audiences to ponder her messages.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman utilizes many rhetorical strategies, like parallelism and personification, that provide her argument with compelling features. She uses these rhetorical strategies to spark in a deeper and meaningful conversation. For example, Ackerman states, "In time, they will become fragile and, like the body, return to dust." (Paragraph 6). This is an example of personification, describing the final cycle of leaves with the final stage of decomposition of the human body. She personifies leaves in order to relate or compare the cycle of life and death of us humans. As she does this, she incorporates parallelism, claiming, "Unlike the carotenoids, which color carrots, squash, and corn, and turn leaves orange and yellow, anthocyanin varies from year to year, depending on the temperature and amount of sunlight." (Paragraph 4). She does this in order to describe the scientific process leaves go through and provides diversity: comparing and contrasting different types of leaves all over the world, just like how the human species is also diverse. Overall, with the uses of these rhetorical devices, Ackerman is able to compare the similarities leaves and humans have: their cycle of life and death and how diverse they are.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman incorporates various rhetorical devices to provide her argument with compelling features. Two specific rhetorical devices she incorporates into the essay are personification and imagery. She incorporates these rhetorical devices not only to make her argument stronger but broaden her topic into a bigger conversation. In her essay, Ackerman claims, “Fall is staggering in, right on schedule, with its baggage of chilly nights, macabre holidays, and spectacular, heart-stoppingly beautiful leaves. Soon the leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fists before they actually fall off”(Ackerman 1). Here Ackerman personified fall, and in doing so, she implies that humans also go through various stages in life. Along with that, Ackerman also includes imagery when she states, “ They glide and swoop, rocking in invisible cradles. They are all wing and may flutter from yard to yard on small whirlwinds or updrafts, swiveling as they go”(Ackerman 8). By using sensory imagery and poetic diction , Ackerman describes the beauty of autumn leaves when they fall. This gives the reader a different perspective on leaves and the leaves’ cycle in the fall. Overall, by using both of these rhetorical devices Ackerman she explains the cycle of leaves but along with that she also hints that people should live life to the fullest at every stage.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color In Fall , Diane Ackerman utilizes tactile and visual imagery to analytically explain the scientific process of how leaves and the seasons transition color and compares it to life. Ackerman emphasizes the process of the seasons and leaves changing and makes he or she notice our surroundings. For example “ Early morning frosts sit heavily on grass, and turn barbed wire into a string of stars. “ ( Ackerman 1 ) . Ackerman utilizes tactile and visual imagery to make her or she stop and notice one's surroundings. In life, it’s easy to become distracted and take small things for granted. Ackerman describing how the snow sits on the barb wire and makes it seem like a string of lights , makes you realize how the things around us are changing and feel the sense of the cold in early mornings . She makes us appreciate the beauty within it. It makes you want to stop and observe the transitions happening in our surroundings. Ackerman also continues to utilize visual imagery by stating “ But first there will be weeks of gushing color so bright, so pastel , so confetti like…” ( Ackerman 1 ). Ackerman is describing the colors blossoming during the transitions of the seasons. It’s very easy to take for granted our surroundings. Life can sometimes be overwhelming and makes us lose sight of what’s around us. Ackerman is able to give he or she the realization of one's surroundings. In other words, stop and appreciate the moment before time passes you by.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" by Diane Ackerman (Ramia Lorein Simon, Period 3)

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" by Diane Ackerman (Ramia Lorein Simon, Period 3)

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In Diane Ackerman’s essay Why the Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (1990), she personifies the transition of summer to fall and alliterates consonants in order to accentuate the importance of cherishing the insufficient longevity of a human life through a symbolized perspective of autumn's vibrant nature. Therefore, her rhythmic and descriptive style of writing corresponds to her intent to argue that recognizing the value of existence affects the present and future of an individual’s life. For example, Ackerman notes that as the summer solstice commences, a “tree reconsiders its leaves” and consequently “chokes off its leaves” once the chlorophyll of the bright green leaves delay due to the limited amount of sunlight (Ackerman 2). Through active voice, Ackerman displays a tree contemplating the requirement for leaves on its branches while the leaves attempt to cling onto the very branches of the trunk. Despite the fullness of the green-plant summer, the tree naturally “chokes off” the newly orange-red colored leaves. Her descriptive writing compels the readers to note that as life continues to occur, the tree will not delay the process of life due to the hesitation for one leaf. Similarly, time will not wait for a human to pass away at the end of his or her cycle of life. Rather, this moment happens abruptly and naturally. Even with this negative connotation, Ackerman purposefully utilizes autumn to recognize the beauty of the cycle of life, even in death. Her practical tone blends with her poetic diction in order to engage the reader in understanding, not resenting, the process of life itself. Furthermore in the essay, she provides the first sentence of her last paragraph with intentional alliteration: “At last the leaves leave” (Ackerman 10). In addition to her wordplay of “leaves,” she emphasizes the “l” sound to continue her calm and compassionate tone while also highlighting the symbolism of fallen leaves. When an individual audibly reads this particular sentence, the “l” in each word stresses the “ee” sound which provides a melodic read in contrast to harsh sounding letters such as “r” in “rough.” Moreover, the “ee” sound provides a wispy and breathy effect that symbolizes the appealing movement of vibrant orange-red leaves falling. The alliteration enriches the reader to understand that leaves leave readily with graceful motions; therefore, this symbolism allows the reader to further reflect on his or her perspective on life. This freedom that the leaves exhibit elicits this feeling of urgency to view every stage of life as something magnificent, similarly to many individuals commenting on the beauty of the leaves in the autumn season. Once the leaves “leave” from the branches of a tree, life continues to occur, but the memories of the life they once had lingers. Like autumn, an individual must acknowledge the significance of existing for his or her satisfaction, and in return, this will have a monumental impact on the people around him or her. Conclusively, Ackerman develops her harmonic essay through lyrical alliteration and providing human characteristics to a non-human object to grow a reader’s appreciation of the complexity of leaves and to comprehend existence on Earth.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman incorporates rhetorical strategies such as visual imagery and personification to make her writing engaging and to broaden the conversation past only a leaf’s life cycle. In the fifth paragraph, Ackerman describes, “Basswood turns bronze, birches bright gold. Water-loving maples put on a symphonic display of scarlets” (Ackerman 5). Through her descriptive words, Ackerman thoroughly describes the season of Autumn. The constant descriptive words engage the audience and help them visualize the scene. It keeps the reader focused because they do not have to wonder what she is talking about. The reader understands the scene exactly and the beauty in it. Furthermore, by the descriptive words, the reader can assume that the author has credibility in speaking about the season. An author who does not know much about a topic will be vague and avoids using descriptive words. Ackerman vividly describes the leaves of a multitude of trees. She even goes as far as to name the types of trees. Moreover, in the first paragraph, Ackerman expresses, “Soon the leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fits before they actually fall off” (Ackerman 1). In this section, she utilizes personification to expand to the larger conversation. Leaves cannot clench their fists because they do not have fists. However, humans can clench their fists. The personification allows the reader to connect the aging process of leaves with the aging process of humans. It also engages the reader because they know that the essay will not be one-dimensional. It has a deeper meaning to it and the audience will want to read more to understand the underlying meaning of the essay. Ackerman’s extraordinary usage of imagery and personification throughout the essay captivates the reader and makes them want to read more.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall is a short essay written by Diane Ackerman that integrates and employs multiple rhetorical strategies in which she includes to give her argument compelling features in order to provoke curiosity and extend the conversation beyond that of only the process of leaves pertaining to the cycle of life Ackerman indicates the use of both rhetorical strategies of imagery and personification all through her writing that add additional compelling features into her writing argument. For example, Ackerman articulates in her work,“Soon the leaves will start cringing on the leaves, and roll up as clenched fists before they actually fall off” (Ackerman 1). This quote mentions the process of a leaf falling off a tree that rolls up into a clenched fist before diminishing. Conveying the use of a compelling feature as her comparison between a clenched fist and leaf not only provides personification but also imagery. This personification quote shows importance as it suffices to the larger conversation of connection to life since this specific characteristic typically is employed to describe an actual human characteristic portrayed as leaves. This feature not only provides personification but even imagery that creates the visual representation in a reader's mind so all readers can experience the true purpose and meaning of this essay generating the reader's sensations overall. Imagery conduction comes into play throughout the rest of this essay producing pertinent ideas with Diane Ackerman expressing, “Sometimes one finds in fossil stones the imprint of a leaf… remind us how detailed, vibrant, and alive the things of this earth that perish (Ackerman 10). This quote provides visual imagery that explains that although specific leaves are not on the planet nevertheless, they will always be alive as the rest that expire. This image provides further expansion on the topic and allows for the larger picture keeping a resignation in the mind connecting to the life cycle. The different styles or figures of speech that Diane Ackerman uses provide for an overall characterizing within her writing style. Clever use of both personification and allusion make Ackermans style of writing open for a larger conversation portraying being intriguing and eye-catching. These rhetorical uses and connections provide descriptions demonstrating her writing style.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman asserts the use of personification and allusion to broaden the discussion. She does this to describe not only the process of leaves changing colors but also the cycle of what we know as life and how one's life may be affected once one acknowledges what is right in front of them. As is well known, Ackerman humanizes her speeches. Ackerman states, “Soon the leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fists before they actually fall off” (Ackerman 1). One is aware that a leaf cannot make a fist-clenched gesture. Ackerman illustrates how humans, like leaves, go through various stages of life using figurative language. Ackerman's word choice and detailed writing style aid in giving readers a descriptive perspective. Ackerman also uses biblical allusions to broaden the discussion by stating, “Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with leaves, remember? Leaves have always hidden our awkward secrets” (Ackerman 8). Since the dawn of time, leaves have been used to conceal unpleasant secrets. Still, their credibility has never been established, despite the fact that their vibrancy and innocence provide assistance to sinful beings like Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve's nakedness after their disobedience, as well as the trees' and their own when the leaves fall off, no longer conceal innocence or secrets. Personification and allusion are used to enhance Ackerman's poetic and captivating writing style. Additionally, it enhanced how to use the word "sublime" and how it ought to be implemented in every stage of our lives. Despite the fact that ignorance is bliss, one should ultimately learn to value what is in front of them. This literary work has had a positive impact on me; as a result, I now give meaning to even the most fundamental objects, like leaves, which have always had beauty and purpose; it just took time for me to realize it. Her use of figures of speech ultimately serves as a strategy for eloquence.
(Period 3)

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall by Diane Ackerman, she inserts examples of the leaves' different colors based on their environment in order to pique the reader’s curiosity. Ackerman wants to inform the reader of the role climate has on the leaf’s color. Instilling curiosity for them to admire the trees in person during the fall season. Ackerman lists, “Basswood turns bronze, birches bright gold…some oaks yellow, most turn a pinkish brown”(Ackerman 5). By listing these different trees she displays her knowledge of the environment needed for the different colors. She also entices the reader by naming the trees directly, and creating excitement for the reader to go out and see these trees in person. Spreading the message to enjoy nature and experience the beauty it offers humanity. If the reader experiences this feeling they would be more likely to take care of the environment and to spread the message. Furthermore they could be able to experience all the trees she listed and for their children to also experience the same beauty during the fall. Ackerman then gave a detailed description of the scientific process the leaf goes through when  falling from the tree. She stated, “The growth hormone, auxin, fades…lying at right angles to the axis of the petiole…the leaves are airborne”(Ackerman 9). This kind of description of the leaf falling forms an essay factual and engaging to the reader. For readers that aren’t familiar with the process of a leaf, it will engross them. Creating an interest to research more on the topic to understand what Ackerman meant in her essay. On the other hand the readers that are well versed in the topic will appreciate Ackerman’s description of the leaf falling. Being astonished by her word choice and comparisons she invents to make the reader appreciate nature.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diana Ackerman incorporates many figures of speech throughout her essay in order to extend the conversation beyond the scientific process of leaves turning colors and to provide many instances of imagery. For example, Ackerman incorporates allusions to the bible to extend into the larger conversation regarding humanity. Ackerman states, “Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness…leaves have always hidden our awkward secrets” (Ackerman 9). Ackerman makes this allusion to explain that leaves have hidden our awkward secrets since the beginning of time. Similar to chlorophyll hiding leaves’ true colors, humans tend to activate their own chlorophyll as well to hide their true colors, essentially their true self. Just like leaves, people only get rid of their "chlorophyll" once a certain season of their life arrives. For humanity, this season would pertain to the obstacles and challenges one faces in life. Ackerman’s knowledge goes beyond knowing the fascinating scientific process behind leaves turning colors. The use of allusion also acts as a form of credibility when referencing the bible. Ackerman also tends to embed onomatopoeia throughout her essay. Ackerman asserts, “Then they crunch and crackle underfoot” (Ackerman 10). Ackerman’s inclusion of onomatopoeia brings the reader into the reality of the writing and creates a sense of imagery for the reader known as auditory imagery. With onomatopoeia, the reader obtains interest in the writing and relates to the writing as well. The use of onomatopoeia can also establish confidence in the author as the reader will realize that Ackerman writes based on true events that associate with leaves. The use of allusion and onomatopoeia makes Ackerman’s style of writing both descriptive and intriguing. The ability to provide in depth descriptions and explanations also demonstrates the greatness behind her style of writing. Predominantly, Ackerman’s phenomenal use of figurative language makes her writing intriguing, convincing, and persuasive to the reader.

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In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall, Diane Ackerman embeds profuse imagery and figures of speech, in order to affirm the immortality of autumn, characterize the scientific complexities that engender leaf abscission, and evoke an unrelenting admiration for the staggering persistence of plants and their delineation of humankind. In the fifth paragraph, Ackerman describes gingkos as “radiant yellow”, basswood as “bronze”, birches as “bright gold”, and maples as “a symphonic display of scarlets” (Ackerman 5). Through her animated narrations, she thoroughly conveys the array of hues that comprise the foliage in the later months of the year, simultaneously underscoring the grandeur within the coloration cycle of leaves, thus ensnaring the audience’s attention with her copious verbal depictions. Essentially, she transcends an underrated phenomenon by embroidering it with sensory diction that conveys the vividity of autumn. In addition to this, she fosters a prodigiously synesthetic undertone, which undoubtedly exalts the allure of her essay as well. Further, in the first paragraph, Ackerman presumes that sugar maples “... close up shop” for the arrival of winter; she later reveals that the autumn season must be “... staggering in” (Ackerman 1). She writes in metaphors with the sole intention of generating visual representations to adequately accompany her accounts on the fall of leaves. This strategy undeniably ensures the audience an unparalleled understanding of the science behind leaf abscission, while qualifying them to envision the process as she chronicles the steps. Additionally, the integration of figurative language in her essay authorizes her to preserve the audience in a recurring state of astonishment, since humans intrinsically dwell on the images that expositions create–an appeal that only consolidates the reverberrance of her work. Ultimately, her employment of imagery and figures of speech serve as a formula for persuasiveness, which ushers an immensely engrossing ambience to her essay.

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In, Why Leaves Turn Color in The Fall, Diane Ackerman asks different rhetorical questions throughout her essay involving her audience in her essay in order to control the thoughts of her audience. For example, Ackerman states, "Where do the colors come from?" (Ackerman 2) Grabbing the attention of her audience allowing them to make comparisons, and question themselves, in order to get a better understanding of the overall purpose of the essay. Ackerman uses rhetorical questions to create connections with her audience, and makes her audience feel a sense of understanding between each other. Another strategy Ackerman uses is she adds life, energy, and an element of relatability to things, that would otherwise be lifeless, such as nature. Ackerman states, "A tree reconsiders its leaves-" (Ackerman 2) Ackerman uses personification in order to make description of non-human entities more vivid, as well as stretch the boundaries of reality to make her essay more vivid. Ackerman also uses this method to illustrate the setting, and explain concepts of nature and a persons life. With these methods it allows Ackermans audience to be able to engage in her writing, and make connections with her writing, as well as use other non-human things to create more of an understanding for her audience. Ackermans goal with these methods were to show the significance of nature, and how her audience could compare the leaves to ones life/legacy.

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MMHS Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (Rebecca Soto per: 3)

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MMHS Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall (Rebecca Soto per: 3)

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In her short essay, Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall Diane Ackerman analytically explains the scientific process in which leaves turn color and compares it to the cycle of life. She indicates that at every stage of life one must strive to leave a legacy in order to inspire future generations. Ackerman primarily writes in the present tense active voice to develop a difference in tone throughout her work. Her impassioned attitude in analyzing the life process of leaves makes the technicality of her work compelling. Ackerman's specific choice of rhetoric does not make readers feel as though they are reading a step-by-step process because it creates a greater interpretation of what leaves symbolize in human life. She utilizes personification to relate the characteristics of leaves to people by stating, “fall is staggering” as the leaves will soon “roll up in clenched fist” (Ackerman 1). Leaves do not have the literal ability to stand and stagger nor clench a fist. The personification of leaves indicates that the message of her work has little to do with the process of leaves actually changing color. She compares rolled-up leaves to a person's last hold on life before they die and “fall off” (Ackerman 1). Ackerman incorporates figurative speech to reflect that humans have different stages of life similar to a leaf. Her detailed writing style and allusive diction allow readers to visualize the nature of life. She declares, “Walk down a lane overhung with trees and you will forget all about time and death, lost in the sheer delicious spill of color” (Ackerman 8). She describes the effect leaves have on society by alluding to a mystical fairytale. The syntax of emphasizing vowel sounds and minimizing constants makes readers seemingly glide through the sentence, symbolizing a nursery rhyme. The peaceful effect of leaves changing represents a person subliming from one stage of life to another since it comes naturally. Ackerman relies on personification and allusive diction to highlight the serenity in the cycle of life. Specific rhetoric builds her credibility because she can display scientific knowledge without only explaining scientific terms. Overall, Ackerman encourages people to reflect on their life and strive for greatness in order to impact others and generate a brilliant society.