Based on experiences from living in New York.

Barry seems to end on a serious note, but then quickly flips and ends on a humorous note.

This list makes what we prioritize seem funny and useless, dipping further into a dark humor by emphasizing how we often do pointless things in order to feel prepared and safe. Why does Barry highlight this about humanity?

Another relatable anecdote that connects Barry to his audience by admitting that he will be nice and complement someone in order to get what he wants, a common human act.

Barry develops a dark form of humor by emphasizing how he worked so hard and spent so much money on his generator, and it still doesn't work. Barry is revealing that despite your best intentions and efforts, things often don't go as planned, but it's best to take these failures lightly with humor.

This statement reveals how people have spent much money and time preparing for the hurricane, but the simile undercuts the heavy subject with humor. The author's purpose could be to provide comic relief in a time of fear and panic, a way to distract those in Florida from the hurricane.

People are fascinated by destruction, but when their lives are at risk they become more obsessive on making sure that destruction doesn't come to them.

During times of strife people find things to keep them busy and feel like they are doing something important, something to help them survive. Barry explains this in a way that makes it seem like a silly and pointless response.

Barry pokes fun at the way people react to disasters, like how they stock up on food so they feel prepared,but then eat it all out of stress.

This anecdote provides comic relief to the serious situation with Irma. It describes a reaction that many have to impending disasters, which is stocking up on food they usually would never eat. This is a relatable example told in way that lightens the situation by making it seem more funny.

The occasion of this article is that Hurricane Irma is on its way toward Florida, and those living in Florida are preparing for it. This reveals that this is likely a stressful and scary time for those living in Florida.

The audience is people living in Florida, made obvious by Barry's direct acknowledgement of his readers as "Floridians" (Barry). The pronoun "we" is used by Barry to connect himself to his audience and provide validity to his portrayal of Floridians due to the fact that he too lives in Florida.

Uses humor to keep his audience grateful for what they have as parents and grandparents instead of focusing on time and age

Barry reveals that grandparents are much more aware of how little time they have left with their grandchildren as opposed to parents and their children. Gets a bit dark, but Barry lightens the mood a bit at the end while remaining sentimental.

Rleates to audience of parents.

Barry explains one of the best parts of being a grandparent, seeing your children become good parents and knowing that you raised them to be good parents.

Grandparents can enjoy the benefits that parents of young children have without having to take care of all the less pleasant parts that come with having young children. (Benefit of being a grandparent.)

Barry provides facts the way a child would. Does he do this to emphasize the impact his grandchildren have had on him and how they make him take things less seriously?

Throughout his columns over the years, Barry maintains an obviously fake tone of formality and seriousness to describe something utterly ridiculous or amusing. Why does he do this? How does this affect the reader?

Barry addresses his age in a humorous and light-hearted way to detract focus from the growing age of grandparents but instead focus on the experiences they get to have and all they should be thankful for.

These questions are relatable to many elderly people, and further connects Barry to his audience by understanding and acknowledging their struggles.

Uses hyperboles to exaggerate his thoughts and opinions and introduces them in a humorous and light way.

Because Barry uses the word "us," it can be concluded that his audience is older people, primarily grandparents.

Another benefit of being a grandparent.

Interesting contrast how Dylan observes the planet as looking like a potato while Barry is focused on whether or not it is inhabitable or has cell-service. Interesting that the two very different ages are both interested about the same main thing (the planet) but that they are interested about different parts of that thing.

Barry includes other holidays to briefly take the importance away from Grandparents Day so that he can then describe why Grandparents Day is so important and is much more celebrated in comparison to the other silly days.

Barry continues his humorous tone while writing his article about the serious and emotional holiday of Grandparents Day by incorporating silly an obviously untrue pieces of "information."

Barry describes the children to build a connection with the audience by relating to them with the hilariously true descriptions of his young grandchildren. Therefore, it can be discerned that the audience is parents and grandparents.

References to atruggles and descriptions that adults can relate to further supports that the audience is adults, specifically parents and grandparents.

Benefit of being a grandparent. (Still learn new things when you are older.)

Barry's purpose is to explain the importance/significance of Grandparents day by explaining why grandparents should be celebrated, and not just as a parent of their own children. Barry wants to reveal the differences between being a parent and being a grandparent.

Barry uses funny yet relatable and serious examples of what kind of days need to really be celebrated to emphasize that holidays like Iguana Day and Star Trek Day are unnecessary, but Grandparents Day is very special and important in comparison. He explains that Grandparents Day are as important as his unreal examples.

Occasion

Barry concludes his article by revealing a benefit of being a soccer dad: you get to see your daughter grow into a confident and strong young woman.

This description contrasts with how he described his daughter when she was first learning to play soccer. In the beginning she was cautious and a bit afraid, and now she is strong and confident. Barry includes this comparison to reveal the positive impact that soccer has on girls since it teaches them to be fierce and brave, emphasizing the importance of soccer dads to keep their daughters motivated to keep going and growing.

Barry reveals that soccer dads don't entirely support their girls at games out of total selflessness, they also do it because they love being able to spend time with their daughters and other supportive parents. This is an idea that most dads of children who play sports can relate to. Barry takes this moment to add a bit more emotion and depth to his article, which reveals his own struggle with seeing his daughter grow up, ending his time as a soccer dad.

This is ironic since people tend to see girls as the dramatic ones. How does playing a sport make boys more dramatic and girls more stoic and fierce?

Barry again exaggerates the struggles of soccer dads through imagery to emphasize that even though they may do only minimal things that aren't actually that important, their desire to help the team and do what they can is honorable in itself.

Barry presents soccer dads as necessities to any soccer team, but provides a funny and simple example in order to remain light and not get too deep and emotional. This stays in line with Barry's method of discussing meaningful or serious things in a humorous way to keep the audience happy and entertained versus depressed or emotional.

Barry makes it clear that his subject is soccer dads, not soccer moms (though he does repsect them as well).

The contrast of the two descriptions of the Hispanic moms is comical due to their very different sides. This line also gives Barry a moment to acknowledge the soccer moms who also come out to support their daughters.

Barry develops stark contrast between the two coaches regarding their personalities and coaching styles, but then follows this up by saying "But they're both great coaches, and I love them" (Barry). Readers can infer that Barry possibly uses this contrast to convey that not all coaches are the same, just like how no two soccer dads are the same. He does this to convey that all soccer dads, no matter their personalities, deserve recognition for their devotion to supporting their daughters and being at their games.

This unnecessary explanation is included to make people laugh since the reason they call the coach "Deano" is obvious. This adds a bit more humor and informality to the piece to keep its lightheartedness.

Barry is emphasizing the sacrifices and hard work that he has put in as a soccer dad to support his daughter in order to acknowledge all soccer dads that make a commitment to their daughter's love of soccer and their ability to grow from it. Readers can discern that the subject/topic of this article is not simply soccer dads, but it is the love, support, and sacrifice that they give for their daughters and how they need to be recognized for this on Father's Day.

Barry is emphasizing the sacrifices and hard work that he has put in as a soccer dad to support his daughter in order to acknowledge all soccer dads that make a commitment to their daughter's love of soccer and their ability to grow from it. Readers can discern that the subject/topic of this article is not simply soccer dads, but it is the love, support, and sacrifice that they give for their daughters and how they need to be recognized for this on Father's Day.

More exaggeration to emphasize his point. A common strategy of Barry.

Barry is trying to relate to his audience, make all soccer parents feel included in his message.

Is the subject of the article how the role of soccer dad's is to support their girls as they grow? Or does Barry include this line to show the benefits of being a soccer dad, seeing your daughter grow into a confident young warrior?

Barry frequently expresses his own opinions (even if he's simply joking) as commonly held beliefs by the majority of the population. He comes across as assuming what he says or thinks is always right, but not in a snobby way since his development of humor is almost poking fun at himself and his own writing. Why does Barry do this?

Barry uses his daughter as an example of how some children can be overly cautious and may need help getting out of their comfort zone, but he portrays this idea in a more humorous way to lighten the seriousness of his message. This helps the audience accept what he is saying while not feeling depressed or hopeless about it.

Barry develops a sort of hyperbole effect by making his position as a parent on the sidelines sound more important and arduous than it really is. This humor is poking fun at soccer parents, but also builds an understanding between Barry and his audience.

Readers can predict that Barry will write to soccer parents in a relatable and understanding way. Barry also can be considered biased on the subject since he is a soccer dad, and may advocate more strongly for their recognition and support.

Barry introduces this article by acknowledging Father's Day, which reveals that this article is written for dads and their children, specifically children who play soccer. The basic subject is soccer dads.

The tone of the conclusion is dark and even a bit ominous. Why does Barry conclude his column this way?

This is a powerful line. Go back to this line and explore its meaning and relevance to other things in the world.

Barry warns his audience to blindly follow/listen to the news and other sources of information.

Simile

Reinforces sarcastic tone by being overly optimistic and positive toward and idea and then completely discrediting it.

Syntax

Syntax: Barry breaks into different thoughts and interrupts himself to make the sentences and ideas flow easily.

Syntax: Barry likes to make bulleted lists to emphasize his points and lay them out in a clear manner. This makes his argument seem more like a lecture of sorts, implying that he is trying to teach/reveal something to the audience.

Barry uses real world issues, such as Trump explaining his interactions with women, to push the audience to look in the mirror and see if what he's describing about Trump also describes them, such as reflecting/projecting your issues onto others.

Barry sections long sentences into smaller ones to provide a mix of complexity and simplicity.

Not serious, big shift

serious

Topics consist mostly of politics and pop culture. Who does this target for the audience?

Syntax: Barry often interrupts his own lines of thought, as if he is speaking directly to the audience and saying exactly what he thinks at the time.

Imagery relatable to audience.

Barry likes to poke fun at the American government, and using hyperboles to exaggerate the truth about the government helps him express his concerns in a way that attracts the attention of others.

Barry is straightforward and blunt, showing an oddly endearing disregard for other opinions.

Although Barry greatly exaggerates throughout his column, he is still warning readers to not trust everything they hear and read. Perhaps his style of writing and twisting truths is meant to show readers how writers often tell truths in their own way to manipulate beliefs.

Barry is unafraid to offend anyone, and speaks his mind in a very direct way.

Pushes the audience to question their own values. Barry wants the audience to face their own flaws.

Barry frequently attacks the hypocrisy of others, revealing negative sides to people some may favor and pushing the audience to acknowledge hypocrisy in their own lives and society as a whole.

The imagery that Barry develops is easy for the audience to understand and lightens a serious issue going on.

Conveys how the two political parties dislike each other, and how this aversion blinds them from acknowledging the accomplishments and qualifications of others.

Barry attacks hypocrisy in society.

Barry frequently executes a structure of syntax where he states one long sentence followed by one or more very short sentences or even just a word. He starts with a complex idea and sentence structure, and then he makes his sentences shorter and more simple as he speaks more informally and describes things more humorously.

Barry begins most of his sentences with profound diction, and then ends his sentences with a twist of sarcasm or irony.

Barry develops caricatures by describing the qualities and traits of the presidential candidates with extreme exaggeration to emphasize their flaws.

Informal and direct

Professional, positive diction vs...

Exaggeration and hyperboles are frequently utilized by Barry in his effort to create a satirical piece.

Attacks our value of looks and attractiveness, and reveals that they are not the defining part of a person or relationship.

Conveys the idea that people place too much importance on the small things and that sometimes what we see as a huge part of our life isn't actually that big of a deal. Barry uses humor to develop a piece of writing like satire, where he portrays human values in comedic descriptions and comparisons to reveal how trivial they really are.

Uses pop culture and other areas that most people can understand and relate to to explain politics and economics.

informal and funny

Serious and professional vs.

Barry uses a mix of complex, long, and detailed sentences with very simple sentences (sometimes just a word) to further develop his contrasting style of writing. This contrast allows Barry to speak in an intellectual and descriptive way, while also adding an equal amount of simple sentences to keep all readers, no matter their level of intelligence, engaged.

Barry's formal diction builds through the words "deemed," "worthy," and "wisdom," and then abruptly crashes to a very informal and disdainful tone. This contrast of very different choices of diction and tone that shift from one to the next is a unique method that conveys a great amount of sarcasm and humor.

Barry frequently describes things in humorous and exaggerated ways while keeping a serious tone which makes his writing even more comical. Barry is a mastermind at sounding serious in comical situations, and at sounding humorous in serious situations. This contrast is what develops the complex tone of his column as informal, sarcastic, and facetious and while keeping the audience engaged and entertained.

Barry immediately sets the tone for his column with his very informal approach where he says exactly how he feels. Barry is not afraid to cuss or say anything to upset his readers, he just speaks his mind with irony and sarcasm.

Since he describes the people who determined the outcome of the 2000 presidential election as "a tiny group of Florida residents," readers can infer that Barry is referring to the Florida representatives of the electoral college. His descriptive imagery of how the residents "attempted to vote by chewing on their ballots" clearly reveals that Barry disagrees with their decision on voting for Bush. His tone is not angry, but flippant. Barry is writing in way that shows no respect toward his subject, but also not in a way that shows extreme anger or hatred, just misunderstanding and almost pity.

Barry's tone shifts as he moves from a flippant tone to a sarcastic one by abruptly changing his topic from something serious (the 2000 presidential election) to something much more casual and less important to the country. This shift lightens the mood of the topic, and alludes to the fact people often place trivial parts of life (the Kardashians) in a place of importance when there are much more serious and significant matters at hand (the election). Barry conveys human flaws through humor to reveal truths in a way that people can accept, and even laugh at themselves for. Barry's method is similar to satire.

Barry's tone is facetious while talking about serious matters, exposing how wrong things are and exemplifying how society often accepts these wrongs and makes excuses for them.

Again, Barry moves from a serious topic to a lighter one. This allows shifts throughout his column that surprises and intrigues his audience, allowing for comedic relief between the heavy subjects being described.

Barry uses comparisons and imagery frequently to intrigue the audience and add touches of humor that are relatable to the audience.

Uses similes to emphasize his lack of respect and even disdain toward the thing being compared.

Barry takes something serious/complex and explains it in a simple way that is easy for the audience to understand, which often means oversimplifying and exaggerating the topic to fit it into a simple description. By doing this, Barry develops his comedic and conversational tone while exploring politics and less important matters.

Charged diction is developed through the words "gruesome" and "wreck" to emphasize his displeasure with the 2000 election and to enforce his facetious tone.