Violent Ukraine Protests

In a CNN.com article regarding the violent riots in Ukraine, authors Phil Black, Steve Almasy, and Victoria Butenko delve into the details and questions of the Ukrainian peoples. Following a week of viscous fighting between police and protestors, a day of mourning and remembrance existed. However, their efforts have not been in vain. Ukrainian Parliament has removed the president's political rival while also moving the next presidential election to May of 2014. Also, the power of president Viktor Yakunovych has been greatly limited since the beginning of the bloodshed. Logos is provided when the authors state the names and occupations of the important figures with each political party. Coincidental assonances occur, however the story is meant to be informative. A synecdoche is used when stating that the power of Ukraine rests "on the shoulders of thugs." The tone of the authors is very sad and serious when discussing the deaths of protestors

"Gold is Good"

In a Sports Illustrated article entitled "Good is Gold," author Alexander Wolff analyzes the events in the beginning of the 2014 Winter Olympics. These games are being in held in Sochi, Russia. Wolff focuses on athletes from all countries, interviewing them about their prior experiences and their biggest accomplishments. One of the athletes, Sage Kotsenburg, was the first American to win the gold medal in Slopestyle Snowboard, one of the newer games to a centuries old event. The author utilizes logos when he provides the statistics of previous and present athletes. When describing Ole Einar Bjørndalen, the author uses an epithet, calling this athlete "the King." Another epithet is used when describing the once-Soviet Russia as "the Red Army." An allusion is made to W.D. Frank's Everyone to Skis! Skiing in Russia and the Rise of the Soviet Biathlon. Lastly, a synecdoche is present when Wolff states that Alexander Tikhonov is the Russian face of biathlon.  

"Black Sea Bullies"

In an article entitled "Black Sea Bullies," Sports Illustrated author Michael Farber describes the rich history of Russian Olympic ice hockey while questioning if they have the talent to reach the success once enjoyed in the past. Although the teams of the past have had general success, they have not achieved nearly as much as was expected. Considering the Winter Olympic Games are in Russia this year, to receive anything below a gold medal would not only be unsuccessful, but sheer embarrassment. The author uses a simile to compare the way the players stormed the ice "like gorillas coming out of a cage."  A metaphor is created when a quotation involves the comparison of the Sochi games to the Russian flag. Ethos is strong, as the author provides ample statistical information to back up the claim of team Russia's long-lasting success.