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Ackerman uses a lot of imagery and metaphor in his writing. Ackerman demonstrates her writing style by combining pathos and repetition. "Leaves," "color," "summer," and "tree" are a few of the phrases Ackerman employs to demonstrate the rhetorical choice of repetition. Ackerman makes it clear to the audience that she is talking about leaves, their hues, and where and when they fall by repeating these lines. They serve as a reminder that the end of a season is unpredictable, just like the end of life, says Ackerman, who also employs pathos in the text. With the use of this illustration, Ackerman is able to relate leaves to humans and emphasize how fleeting life is and how fast it ends. This produces sadness is evoked in the audience, who are then reminded that life should be appreciated and lived to the fullest rather than being wasted.

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Ackerman's writing style came off to me as inventive symbolism that emphasizes nature and its beauty greatly. She frequently uses personification, metaphors, and visual imagery.

Ackerman employs ethics at the outset of her writing before adding personification and references later on. She writes, "The shush, when youngsters drag their little feet over leaves heaped along the curb," for instance, in paragraph 10. When Ackerman makes a biblical allusion, for instance, this is an example of an allusion. As we utter the word, we are brought back to that other Fall in the Garden of Eden, when the fig leaves never withered and the scales from our eyes fell. The essay flows better and is more engaging for readers when rhetorical techniques are used. Ackerman enhanced her writing skills by using figures of speech.

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Ackerman's work struck me as having an inventive symbolism that frequently emphasized the beauty of nature. Personification, metaphors, and visual imagery are all frequently used by her.

In the beginning of this piece, Ackerman writes seemingly literally, as if the writing is actually about the fall foliage's changing colors. You quickly learn, though, that this is not totally accurate. Ackerman decodes the writing's underlying meaning using her familiarity with biblical stories. "Remember how Adam and Eve covered their nakedness with leaves, remember?" she asks the audience, referencing the story of Adam and Eve. She also added that she "leaves always buried mysteries," which is why it works so effectively. When you consider them both, you may see her true point, which is that people tend to keep their secrets to themselves. This leverages on the familiarity that most people have with the story of Adam and Eve, which makes it successful rhetorically. (8) Ackerman

The writing of Diane Ackerman is profound and imaginative while simultaneously being very literal and realistic. Her use of figurative language also gives the work a creative, thought-provoking atmosphere.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Alexa Alfaro 

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Alexa Alfaro 

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Diane Ackerman's writing style cannot be simplified into one word. Her writing is strategic, logical, beautiful, and complex, just to start. Her purpose is to engage the audience and get them to inquire about her relation of leaves to the life cycle of humans. She uses many tools to get her message across, some being choices of words. She also uses onomatopoeia and imagery.
Ackerman's use of onomatopoeia is strategic. When she says the words , " Then they crunch and crackle underfoot. They shush, as children drag their small feet through the leaves heaped along the curb." This gives us a picture of what is happening, and how we think of fall, instead of the First Fall, which was a biblical event, and not at all about seasons.
Her use of onomatopoeia makes it feel as though the leaves are alive, and relates to the fact that humans are alive.
Ackerman's use of imagery also helps convey her message. Her words paint a picture that can be left up to interpretation, but at the end of the inquiry, can differ very little. Her imagery can make us think of the Biblical First Fall, while most would think of the season. Her imagery can also help us make the connection of seasons and leaves to human life.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" Padlet Discussion - Roxanna Tapia

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" Padlet Discussion - Roxanna Tapia

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Diane Ackerman uses an abundance of figurative language within her writing. It makes reading her work very interesting and engaging. Her writing is very poetic. In her piece, “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall”, I found that the most impactful use of forms of rhetorical strategies was that of imagery and personification. My favorite examples of personification that Ackerman used could be found in the beginning of her essay in paragraphs 1 and 2. The phrases, “roll up in clenches fists”, “tree reconsidered its leaves” and the phrase “rocking in invisible cradles” in paragraph 9 had me imagining the leaves to have young human-like characteristics, like that of a toddler. Later when she states, “Though leaves lose their green life, they bloom with urgent colors, as the woods grow mummified day by day, and Nature becomes more carnal, mute, and radiant.” I was able to imagine the full life of a leaf as though it was human. Akerman also uses human verbs to describe the actions of leaves such as “thrill us” and “ages”, she also describes leaves as a lifeform rather than an object. In addition to personification, Ackerman relies heavily on the use of imagery to connect with her audience on a personal level. In paragraph 8, Akerman describes a situation the audience might find themselves in. “Walk down a lane overhung with trees in the never-never land of autumn, and you will find you will forget about time and death, lost in the sheer delicious spill of color.” This is the first instance where Akerman does not use “they” or “we” and instead uses “you”. Her use of “you” allows the reader to personally imagine themselves in the situation and personally connect with the scene. “Then they crunch and crackle underfoot. They shush, as children drag their small feet through leaves heaped along a curb. Dark, slimy mats of leaves cling to one’s heels after a rain.” This form of imagery is especially effective because it is one that someone can relate to a childhood memory. Overall, Ackerman’s writing is so effective because of her use of personification and imagery. It made her writing easier to understand because the scientific information could be absorbed and connected on a personal level while being interesting. Ackerman’s creative use of process analysis is what made the essay so compelling when matched with her great use of figurative language and strategies.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall-Raegan Null

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall-Raegan Null

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Ackerman's writing style is metaphorical and includes a ton of imagery. Ackerman shows her writing style by using a mixture of repetition and pathos. Some of the words Ackerman uses to show the rhetorical choice of repetition are "leaves", "color", "summer", and "tree". By repeating these words, Ackerman is allowing the audience to understand that she is talking about leaves and their colors and where and when they fall. Ackerman also uses pathos throughout the text, an example of pathos being, "They remind us that the end of a season is capricious, as is the end of life." This example helps Ackerman with her goal of connecting leaves to people and bring up the realization that life is short and death comes quickly. This creates emotions of sadness and makes the audience think about how life should not be wasted, but instead lived to it's fullest and treasured.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" - Cannon Cowan

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" - Cannon Cowan

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I found Ackerman's writing style to be one of imaginative symbolism often focused on the beauty of nature.  She has heavy usage of personification, metaphors, and visual imagery.

Ackerman begins this writing seemingly literally, as if though the writing is truly about leaves changing color during the fall.  However, you soon find out this is not entirely true.  Ackerman uses her knowledge of biblical tales to open the hidden meaning of the writing.  She reminds the audience of the tale of Adam and Eve, "Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with leaves, remember?"  This works so well because she's also stated "leaves always hidden secrets."  When you look at both of these, it explains her real meaning: humans hide their secrets within themselves.  Rhetorically this is effective as it plays on the knowledge most have of the tale of Adam and Eve. (Ackerman 8).

Furthermore, she enhances the environment of the writing with her use of personification and imagery.  In paragraph one, Ackerman writes "Fall is staggering in, right on schedule, with its baggage of chilly nights, macrabe holidays, and spectacular, heart-stoppingly beautiful leaves."  This is an example of her use of personification.  It creates character for the environment, including the season and the leaves themselves.  It makes it feel not only more human, but also wider; as though you are truly in this world. This is an effective rhetorical strategy because of this.

Diane Ackerman's writing is one of depth and imagination, while also being quite real and literal. Her use of figurative writing also causes the writing to feel imaginative and makes it though-provoking.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" -Spencer Corum

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" -Spencer Corum

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In Diane Ackerman’s essay, “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall”, the purpose is to show that scientific writing can be informative, while still being compelling. Ackerman uses rhetorical devices such as metaphors, imagery, symbolism, and personification to drive the essay. Scientific facts are used to inform the reader of why leaves change color, meanwhile the aforementioned devices are used to create a deeper story about how leaves parallel human life. Ackerman uses metaphors which show the relation the life cycle of leaves has to the human life and its worth at different stages. Imagery keeps the story engaging, by immersing the reader in her descriptions of the seasons and nature. Symbolism is used throughout the story to support the parallel. For example, the leaves represent people, and their period of being green represents youth. Ackerman personifies the leaves, which helps make the essay more engaging, and further show the relation between leaves and humans.

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This piece written by Diana Ackerman, is written very well to where she keeps you invested in reading the rest of her writing. She uses repetition  and a lot of figurative speech which is good to keep the audience's attention. She compares leaves with humans multiple times throughout the text. She expresses how the leaves go through a similar life cycle as humans she states "colored like living things, they signal death and disintegration. The figurative speech she uses is so well put in places she has scientific acumen and a good bit of it and it doesn't even seem to be there in the way she's worded the whole essay. Ackerman brings Adam and Eve into this as well when she states "As we say the word, we are reminded of that other fall, in the garden of Eden". This expresses the mistakes us humans have made and due to those mistakes we have had beauties uplift. In Ackerman's writing the readers can find relations with the text and the importance of that is to keep the reader inserted in your work.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall"  -Shannon Cline  

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall"  -Shannon Cline  

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Ackerman's writing style can be broken down into many different categories. But throughout her passage she mainly illustrates personification and alliteration. An example of personification would be "Fall is staggering in, right on schedule, with its baggage of chilly nights, macabre holidays, and spectacular, heart-stoppingly beautiful leaves." (Ackerman 1). This sentence really connects the season of fall with real-world phrases. It is a prime example of personification because of the words "staggering," "schedule," "baggage," and "heart-stoppingly." Continuing through this passage Ackerman also uses the strategy of alliteration. For example, she states, "summer is when we simmer, and winter is when we whine from the cold." (Ackerman 7). Ackerman is comparing what people do in the summer and what we do in the winter. Ackerman's purpose throughout this passage is to paint a picture with many hidden or not so hidden secrets. Secret meanings that some may never notice. She sets up a blank canvas and starts her painting by telling us how the stealth of autumn sneaks up on us in early September. She paints this beautiful background to then talk about the science behind why the leaves change in the fall. After she informs her audience of the science behind the leaves, she slowly starts to put more references to our world that some may relate to. For example she mentions Adam and Eve, and how the leaves hide our secrets or insecurities which later fall off as one grows. She then completes the painting by having the closing sentence talk about how we find fossils that were once detailed, alive, and vibrant and how we tend to appreciate things once we lost them.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Janette De Leon

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Janette De Leon

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Ackerman's piece, "Why leaves Turn color in the Fall," uses a serious of metaphors, visual imagery, tones, personification, and similes, in order to construct her influential scientific essay to her readers. You see this piece of reading is suppose to inform readers of scientific facts of leaves however, it's more to it than just leaves. "Soon the leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fists before they actually fall off,"( Ackerman 1). This is an example of personification. Leaves can't actually cringe but what they can do is wrinkle into a little ball just before they fall from their source of life, the source of life being a tree. Which is the same with a human life, as we grow older we too will let go of the source of life. An example of visual imaginary she used would be in paragraph one. She lists a number of animals such as the goldfinch who appears as indication of fall setting in or the way she compares us to leopards as we have the same traits of being aware of our surroundings. She as well uses metaphors of leaves being fragile and will become dust and will reinstate into something beautiful just as we humans, we denigrate once we past and some of us believe we will move on to a beautiful state of after life. Her different styles of figurative languages is what inclines the writers to stay engaged in her essay. She knows what readers want to read, she knows to use visual imaginary so we can picture what is being said even if it isn't straight forward. She uses words that symbolize life as in "green life" well when we think of green life we think of a healthy life or a youthful life. All in all the cycle of leaves is also a cycle of life in which she demonstrated throughout her scientific essay.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Madeline Moss

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Madeline Moss

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Diane Ackerman has a particular writing style, one of many hours of research that still remains entertaining and beautiful. Ackerman achieves this by the use of figurative language. In Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall  she used many forms of figurative language, the most impactful being similes and allusions. Ackerman uses a metaphor in paragraph seven, "Fall is the time when leaves fall from the trees, just as spring is when flowers spring up..." Not only is a simile present, but a deeper meaning is behind the quote, the seasons correspond with the cycle of life. As for allusion, the use of it is throughout the entire essay, but a more targeted example is, "As we say the word, we're reminded of the other Fall, in the garden of Eden, when fig leaves never withered and scales fell from our eyes" (Ackerman 7). While it is never stated that Ackerman is talking about when Eve ate the forbidden fruit, it is alluded to through the words. Making the word fall correspond with Eve's fall. These are just a few of the many used in the essay, making it entertaining along with having deeper meaning.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall -Alison Isaacs

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall -Alison Isaacs

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After reading and analyzing the essay, I noticed that Diane Ackerman uses a variety of different figures of speech. In the beginning of her writing Ackerman uses ethics and later provides personification and allusions. For example in paragraph ten she says "The shush, as children drag their small feet through leaves heaped along the curb." An example of an allusion being used is when Ackerman references the bible. Paragraph seven says "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." The use of the rhetorical strategies make the essay flow and more interesting for the audience. Ackerman also used figure of speech to better her writing abilities.

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Diane Akerman's writing is best characterized as descriptive and imaginative due to her extensive use of imagery and smilies in her article "Why leaves turn color in the fall."

Akerman illustrates this notion in her piece using the smilie "Fall is the period when leaves fall from the trees, just as spring is when flowers sprout up."

(Paragraph 7) I thought her use of personification was creative and original.

The subject received human characteristics from her.

As an illustration of personification, the first sentence of paragraph 1 begins, "Fall is staggering in, just on schedule, with its luggage of chilly nights, macrabe holidays, and breathtaking, heart-stoppingly beautiful foliage.

Her writing was made more intriguing mostly by the personification she used.

Eileen B

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Jakob Sage

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Jakob Sage

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall is a complex and undoubtedly well-written piece of work. However, more so, it is a piece of art that strikes up a larger conversation that is exceptionally deep. Ackerman's style of writing is of great quality because it may have some intense scientific knowledge, but its figurative language transforms the essay. Her strategies emphasize the writing. For example, the use of allusions makes the writing more familiar to the reader. She references the Bible by reminding the audience about Adam and Eve: "Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with leaves, remember?" Alluding to the Book of Genesis is a wonderful choice as most are familiar with the story and it also connects with her larger idea of humans using "leaves" to cover up their "awkward secrets," as the first man and woman did once after they bit the forbidden fruit (Ackerman 8). Furthermore, Ackerman uses countless imagery to help infuse her writing into the reader’s imagination and help them grasp her vividness. One example is when Ackerman is writing about the leaves changing color: "Though leaves lose their green life, they bloom with urgent colors, as the woods grow mummified day by day, and nature becomes more carnal, mute, and radiant"(Ackerman 6). With her vocabulary, the audience can close their eyes and see the striking autumn forests in their mind. Therefore, Ackerman’s writing captures the reader and holds onto them through expertly used figurative language that enhances her creatively written essay.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Abigail Soto

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall - Abigail Soto

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Diane Ackerman’s usage of process analysis in “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall” takes its own turn into a slightly more emotional, connecting piece once the reader is able to uncover the various figurative language examples given throughout the essay. Language such as personification and imagery provide further emphasis on the argument and paint a vivid picture of it. Imagery is a common rhetorical device found in process analysis writing as it is able to demonstrate the process being explained or the image being painted for the reader. For instance, “A turning leaf stays partly green at first, then reveals splotches of yellow and red as the chlorophyll gradually breaks down,” (Ackerman 3). Ackerman describes in an intense fashion the sight of a leaf during the beginning of fall when sunlight is less apparent and the leaf stops producing a plentiful amount of chlorophyll, eventually breaking down the green shade of the leaf. Another example of a rhetorical device is the personification of the process being explained. Throughout the essay, Ackerman explains to the reader the same process in multiple ways or by highlighting different details. For example, “Water-loving maples put on a symphonic display of scarlets,” (Ackerman 5). In paragraph 3, Ackerman had already mentioned the idea of a leaf losing its “green life,” but through imagery. In this case, Ackerman changes her use of language and describes the same loss of color by personifying a maple tree who “displays” its scarlets, or red leaves. As a result of the constant use of these strategies, Ackerman’s argument grows stronger and the repetition of this language reinforces the initial type of process analysis it is.

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall -Fatima Amezola

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall -Fatima Amezola

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Diane Ackerman who is the author of “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall” uses many strategies in her writing to make her writing more interesting to her audience. One strategy she uses is figurative language. For instance Ackerman states, “…we see these colors for the first time…hidden like a vivid secret beneath the hot glowing greens of summer”(3). This is a type of simile that is used to point out that the leaves true colors are revealed when they lose their green touch in the fall. The reader can be able to understand her writing by the use of figurative language. Another strategy she uses is imagery. For instance, “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 6). By using imagery, Ackerman allows her reader to imagine what she is writing about. The use of her great detail benefits her audience and her choice of rhetorical choices makes her a great writer.

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Lucas Bishop-Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall

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Lucas Bishop-Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall by Diane Ackerman is a piece that is hard to uncover at first glance. On the surface the article may seem like a simple educational piece designed to teach the reader about the fall season but after while reading deeper one finds that Ackerman uses plenty of personification, but does so very ambiguously. Ackerman 7 is full of this type of personification with lines such as "In time, they will become fragile and, like the body, return to dust". She constantly throughout the writing vaguely comparers the human life to that of a leaf. Ackerman does not necessarily hide this rhetorical strategy but she does suppress it in her writing style. Ackerman does not immediately dive into why a leaf turns color in the fall or even her personification, firstly she tries to immerse the reader into the seasonal experience. She details the beauty of this specific time of year with lines such as "heart-stoppingly beautiful leaves". It is hard to teach one about the fall season without a clear and vivid image of fall and Ackerman delivers it perfectly.

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Brittanie Bennett- Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Padlet Class Discussion. 

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Brittanie Bennett- Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall- Padlet Class Discussion. 

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Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall written by Diane Ackerman used lots of figurative language and rhetorical choices in her essay.  Ackerman used lots of pathos throughout the entire essay. Some forms in figurative languages she used were similes, onomatopoeia, and personification. An example of personification in this essay is "Soon the leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up like clenched fists before they actually fall off.” (Ackerman 1). In this quote she is using human actions to describe what the leaves are doing when the season changes.  She also used pathos to connect with her audience emotionally. An example of pathos in this essay is " Colored like living things , they signal death and disintegration. In time, they will become fragile and, like the body, return to dust." (Ackerman 6). In this quote she is using the feeling of sadness to connect to her readers. With the use of many different figures of speeches and rhetorical choices it made her essay really interesting and compelling to read. Ackerman's piece was beautifully written and its just amazing to see how she put the connection between life and death.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the fall"-Avril Gonzalez

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the fall"-Avril Gonzalez

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Due to her frequent use of imagery and smilies in her essay "Why leaves turn color in the fall," Diane Akerman's writing style is best described as descriptive and imaginative. The smilie "Fall is the time when leaves fall from the trees, just as spring is when flowers spring up" is one that Akerman uses to illustrate this point in her article. (Paragraph 7) Her use of personification struck me as original and inventive. She provided the subject with human traits. "Fall is staggering in, right on schedule, with its baggage of chilly nights, macrabe holidays, and spectacular, heart-stoppingly beautiful leaves," states paragraph 1 as an example of personification. Mainly her use of personification gave her essay an interesting touch.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall"-Macey Thomas

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall"-Macey Thomas

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This essay, by Dianne Ackerman, is an absolute beautiful piece. Throughout it you notice that she uses two key strategies to help get her point across, those being figurative language and descriptive scenery. For example, in paragraph 1 ,"Soon the leaves will start cringing on the trees, and roll up in clenched fists...Dry seedpods will rattle like tiny gourds." In these sentences she uses personification and a simile, which are both very useful examples of figurative language. When she uses these it makes it easier for the reader to understand what she is talking about. Ackerman uses plenty of metaphors as well about how we too change like the leaves into our own vivid colors. Her different usage of figurative language makes her argument much more compelling because it helps the reader sit with what she is trying to get at throughout the piece.  She also brings in natural spectacles of the world, in paragraph 4, "The most spectacular range of fall foliage occurs in the northeastern United States and in eastern China, where the leaves are robustly colored." She continues about unlike other countries these specific trees have a color like no other, and very vivid red or red violet color. I feel as though her words really can transport you to these countries and you can see the realness of these colors. The constant usage of descriptive scenery also helps her argument because the reader is able to use all senses while reading, therefore is able to comprehend her message so much clearer. With the combination of figurative language and epic scenery Ackerman is able to get the reader to really see where she is coming from and understand all the different messages that she is making.

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During my extensive reading of the summary written by Diane Ackerman, I have noticed that Ackerman uses lots of figurative language like pathos, and multiple similes. I see the use of pathos throughout the text but I manly see it in paragraph 9 Ackerman states, "They remind us that the end of a season is capricious, as is the end of life"(Ackerman 9). This use of pathos shows that there is a deeper secret meaning that can be both emotional and moving. Ackerman is a very talented writer who uses many figurative languages to get the readers attention, just like in paragraph 1 Ackerman states, "Early morning frost sits heavily on the grass, and turns barbed wire into a string of stars"(Ackerman 1). In this sentence Ackerman is talking about how the frost sits heavily, this sentence is convey the audience into a climax of what she will say next, it builds suspense in the writing.

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After reading and analyzing the text written by Diane Ackerman, I realize that she used many different styles of writing. She used ethos to draw her readers in if they understood what the text was about. She also uses a lot of figurative language to also give two different meanings. When Diane Ackerman said, “ As we say the word, we are reminded of that other Fall, in the garden of Eden.” So not only is she using the scientific meaning of how leaves change; she also uses the other meaning of fall, like in the Bible. She talks about how the leaves falling off the tree and changing colors represent different times in our lives. Like how when the leaves change colors and die down and fall off, it represent old parts of our lives dying and are changing to different people as we grow older. If you really don’t understand the text and break it down, you won’t really understand what she’s trying to get out of that. She uses a bunch of metaphors and figurative language to keep her readers thinking. She doesn’t just give you the scientific facts about how leaves change; rather, she gives you a more detailed meaning of how the leaves change, how it represent Adam and Eve, and also is similar to the cycle of life. If Ackerman didn’t write the text this way and just left it at the scientific way, I believe readers wouldn’t have been interested. But since she made it more interrelating, she made it more compelling for the readers, and she makes people compelled to read her other stories.

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"Why The Leaves Turn Color in The Fall" - Kya Haner

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"Why The Leaves Turn Color in The Fall" - Kya Haner

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This piece, written by Diane Ackerman, is conveyed beautifully. Not only does she utilize descriptive language through onomatopoeia and personification, such as when she describes the leaves as "crunchy" and when she tells the readers that the leaves "trick us" by appearing to be life-like, but in actuality, they are preparing to die, "they signal death and disintegration". Leaves don't in actuality trick people, there's a scientific reason they do what they do, but Ackerman chooses to give the leaves this quality, and as a result further engages her audience. Ackerman also alludes to the Bible in her sentiments about how, "Leaves have always hidden our awkward secrets...". Most are familiar with the Bible and its words, and as such, Ackerman can further her relation to the audience. This is important because when you can't relate to a writer, their words can become irrelevant to you.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" - Rachell Becerril

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" - Rachell Becerril

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Diane Ackerman’s style of writing in her essay “Why leaves Turn Color in the Fall '' would best be characterized as descriptive and creative because of her constant use of imagery and similes. An example of this imagery can be found in paragraph 1 when Ackerman says, “But first there will be weeks of gushing color so bright, so pastel, so confetti like,” (Ackerman 1). This helps the reader visualize how beautiful the new colors the leaves obtain look like to those who have the chance to see it. An example of the similes Ackerman implements in her essay is “Fall is the time when leaves fall from the trees, just as spring is when flowers spring up,” (Ackerman 7). Here, she is comparing leaves falling during autumn and them growing back up during spring. These rhetorical strategies help make Ackerman’s essay more understandable.

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" Padlet Discussion- Darren Valles 

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"Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" Padlet Discussion- Darren Valles 

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After reading and analyzing the text, I would say that Ackerman's style is a mix of figurative langue and representations. Some examples is when she used an allusion, “that other Fall,” Adam and Eve, “leaves have always hidden our awkward secrets” which is comparing the fall to the biblical story of Adam and Eve "falling" from grace after eating the forbidden fruit, or when the author uses a simile “hidden like a vivid secret beneath the hot glowing greens of summer” which is getting at the colors of fall leaves are present but are disguised during the summer because chlorophyll creates the color green. As a result, the leaves appear to be hidden until the pigment is no longer produced, at which point their true colors become visible. An example of representation would be when she is referring to the fossils when Ackerman states, “remind us how detailed, vibrant, and alive are things of this earth that perish” and this is a representation of how life once existed on this planet. The purpose of the fossil stone is to represent the life cycle once more despite the fact that humans, animals, and other living things cease to exist, life and the life cycle continue. Figurative language, representations, and figurative imagery, all of which are utilized by Ackerman in her text, demonstrate her use of these styles.

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Ackerman uses heavy imagery and metaphors to convey her messages. These messages range from informational, explaining the science behind the falling of leaves, to emotional, likening the cycle of a leaf’s life to our own. She creates autumn. The colors, sounds, emotions and even memories that Ackerman likens to the season establish familiarity with her audience. Nostalgia proves to be one of her greatest of allies while writing this, such as in this excerpt, “Children love to play in piles of leaves, hurling them into the air like confetti, leaping into soft unruly mattresses of them.”(Ackerman 8). This statement is written in such a way that is general enough to connect with a broad audience but also sprinkled with tangible sensations to connect with the individual reader, bringing them back to a happy and peaceful memory. An example of metaphor, though imagery still clings to this as well, is present in the same paragraph, “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.”(Ackerman 8). This sentence paints such a visceral image for the audience, all while presenting them with something that I cannot describe as anything but something close to an oxymoron. Ackerman claims that “...you will forget about time and death…” while walking through this autumn wonderland, when autumn is signified by the slow death of leaves. The juxtaposition between the observable beauty and the death that is causing said beauty is notable but the metaphor is the declaration that one will forget the fleeting time and imminent death solely because there is beauty to grab hold of your attention instead. How easily distracted are we as humans by all that glitters, in turn forgetting that it is not inherently gold. She seems to be making the claim that even the most feared things hold nothing to the flaming candle of superficial beauty. Ackermans writing makes you debate with yourself, because even my previous thoughts themselves are superficial, for it is very likely that Ackerman instead was trying to convey a message of acceptance. That things such as the fleeting of time and death are regarded with distaste, as linear, can be seen as otherwise when we look to the fluidity and beauty of nature. Her imagery and metaphors aren’t necessarily to convince us of anything, Ackerman knows what she believes, in this piece she seems to be asking her audience “do you know what you believe?”. The rhetorical choices she makes are simply to make the concepts easier to grasp and turn over in our minds like a gleaming coin.

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In her essay "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," Ackerman uses imagery and allusions to strengthen her argument and entice the reader to appreciate the beauty of life and death. Ackerman's writing style uses a variety of personifications to convey her true meaning in this piece, which compares nature and the falling of leaves to death. "We find the sizzling colors thrilling," she says. (Ackerman p.6) She is describing the sizzling leaves and how much we adore them. However, she goes on to say that the leaves conceal all of our secrets, which may lead the reader to believe that the leaves are actually lies. When Ackerman says Adam and Eve used the leaves to cover themselves after discovering they were naked, he is referring to the Bible. In paragraph 8, Ackerman responds, "Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with leaves..." The reader is reminded of how leaves have been used as barriers and walls. The leaves represent boundaries that gradually erode as we age and gain wisdom. In terms of how life and death are intertwined, Ackerman's piece was both moving and relatable to me in many different aspects and I will never see leaves the same again.

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Emily Dowden - "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" Padlet Discussion

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Emily Dowden - "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" Padlet Discussion

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Ackerman's style would be described as being very illustrative due to her uses of metaphorical phrases and imagery. An example of imagery from the essay would be, "Early morning frost sits heavily on the grass, and turns barbed wire into a string of stars" (Ackerman 1). This phrase is alluding to the upcoming season of fall, to draw a picture in the reader's head as to what the beautiful season is, and metaphorically, the future of growth and true colors for life. Ackerman's purpose of this passage is to portray fall as a comparison to life itself, and what the season does for mankind as it continues to grow. One phrase she uses is, "Colored like living things, they signal death and disintegration" (Ackerman 6). This is an example of one of the many metaphorical phrases she uses, and it means that the season is a representation of life, and the leaves are 'falling' to let go of built barriers mankind has put up to hide imperfections. As society grows, they learn to let these walls fall, and accept the true colors of their true selves.

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In Ackerman’s essay "Why Leaves Change Color in The Fall," she uses a descriptive writing style and many figures of speech along with rhetorical choices. One of the rhetorical choices that Ackerman uses is pathos. In her essay she uses pathos to connect with the reader's emotions. She says “walk down a lane overhung with trees in the never-never land of autumn, and you will forget about time and death” (Ackerman 8). In this she is trying to connect to that feeling of peacefulness. She also uses personification to better connect her writing to the readers. For example she says "the stealth of autumn" and "its baggage of chilly nights" (Akerman 1).  By doing this she is creating a way for the readers to better understand what her message is by letting them connect to fall in a different way. By using a descriptive style and different rhetorical devices, Ackerman is making her essay interesting and easier to understand.

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Ackerman's piece "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" uses a mix of different imagery and allusions in order to strengthen her argument and pursue the reader into understanding the beauty of life and death. Ackerman uses many personifications to portray her true meaning of this piece which is comparing nature and the falling of leaves as passing away. For example she says, "We find the sizzling colors thrilling..." (Ackerman 6). She is referring to the leaves themselves as being sizzling and how we admire them. However, she goes on to say that the leaves hide all of our secrets which can lead the reader to believe that the leaves are actually lies. Ackerman alludes to the Bible when referring to how Adam and Eve used the leaves to cover themselves after they discovered they were bare. In paraphe 8 Ackerman responds, "Adam and Eve concealed their nakedness with leaves..." Reminding the reader of how the leaves were used as barriers and like walls. The leaves represent boundaries that, over time, are let down as we grow older and wiser. Ackerman's piece was very moving and relatable to how life and death are connected and how beautiful everything truly is.

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Ackerman's writing style would be descriptive since she uses allusions and imagery to strengthen her message and argument. For example, Ackerman alludes to Adam and Eve's fall from grace at the end of paragraph 7. She does this to enhance the message of a human's curious nature by referring to a well-known biblical story. Ackerman gives the audience a story to connect with and she creates an emotional understanding with the leaves falling from the trees. Additionally, Ackerman says, "Early morning frost sits heavily on the grass, and turns barbed wire into a string of stars," in order to describe a picture to the audience. Ackerman utilizes sensory writing in the introduction to convey the peaceful beauty of the fall season. Afterward, she explains where the fall leaves' colors come from. Overall, these elements create her descriptive writing style, which keeps the audience invested and makes them more willing to listen to her scientific explanation of why the leaves change colors during fall.

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Natalie Davis- Diane Ackerman's informative yet metaphorical writing style.

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Natalie Davis- Diane Ackerman's informative yet metaphorical writing style.

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Ackerman enriches her essay with extensive and descriptive figurative language and rhetorical choices, exemplifying her informative yet metaphorical writing style. She introduces her argument through the initial personification of leaves, stating they “roll up in clenched fists before they actually fall off” (Ackerman 10-11). The fragile, rolled-up leaves that inevitably fall off the tree symbolize a person’s last moments on earth as they try to hold onto their fleeting life. She continues the development of her argument through the ironic claim that “an odd feature of the colors is that they don’t seem to have any special purpose” (Ackerman 64-65). While leaves may not have a scientific reason for their fluctuating colors, their colors indicate demise as they develop new shades. The utilization of various rhetorical choices assists Ackerman in developing her argument to be informative and compelling for the reader.

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Rachel Mullins-Why Leaves Turn: Padlet Class Discussion

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Rachel Mullins-Why Leaves Turn: Padlet Class Discussion

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After reading through Ackerman's writing, Why Leaves Turn Colors in the Fall, I have assessed that Diane Ackerman's writing style is very vivid and anapestic. One rhetorical method that furthers her argument, that leaves are much like the lives that people live, is pathos. For example, "They are as we hope our own fate will be when we die: Not to vanish, just to sublime from one beautiful state into another." (Ackerman 6) In using words such as 'sublime' and 'beautiful state', Ackerman is creating an emotional appeal to her audience, which can create a compelling shift in the reader's ideals. It can also make the audience feel an attachment to what is being written, as they might find these words relatable. Another rhetorical strategy present in Ackerman's Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall is ethos. For example, "Children love to play in piles of leaves...Walk down a lane overhung with trees and you will never forget about their time and death, lost in the sheer delicious spill of color." (Ackerman 8) Many individuals, in a younger stage of their lives, used leaves as entertainment. If one member of the audience had not experienced this in their youth, they most likely have experienced walking around, with fall trees surrounding them. In doing this, Ackerman is establishing a common ground with her readers. By establishing a common ground, it allows for individuals to feel a connection with Ackerman's writing. When reading the statement provided, it may allow for the audience to connect what she has written to a memory from their past, thus furthering their trust with what is being stated.

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Scientific facts and vivid descriptions/charged words- Joedina Crocker

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Scientific facts and vivid descriptions/charged words- Joedina Crocker

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Throughout the first paragraph, Ackerman bolsters her poem with scientific evidence and justification of why the leaves do, in fact change colors. Her scientific evidence is that chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and when summer comes, the chlorophyll deteriorates, and "leaves" the leaves with a bronze color.
Additionally, her vivid descriptions allow the reader to imagine and clearly see the phenomenon for themselves as they too have experienced it. Throughout the entirety of the text, she describes the leaves with charged words such as "beautiful", "vivid", and "radiant". These rhetorical choices are often compelling and enticing.