ToW #9: The Verge Review of Animals: The Capybara

     Written by Chris Ziegler of The Verge, this article is a semi-satirical review of the Capybara, semi-satirical because while it has elements of satire such as an overall humorous tone, it also works in real facts to form an argument: Capybaras are one of the best animals out there. 

Take a look at this majestic beast from South America

     Ziegler uses a humorous, yet also excited, tone throughout the text as a way to communicate how much he loves this animal. The does this through his use of colloquialism, such as when he proves a point that 'Capys have nothing but chill'/'They're...human-sized bags of chill' by saying, "Seriously/ Sometimes, monkeys ride them, just for funsies." The informality of the language enforces the fact that the articlke isn't meant to be taken seriously (As if the pre-text warning that "This column is part of a series where Verge staffers post highly subjective reviews of animals. Up until now, we’ve written about animals without telling you whether they suck or rule. We are now rectifying this oversight." This pre-text in of itself is another form of colloquialism.), but it still enforces the writer's opinion in that the Capybara is one of the best animals out there.

     Overall, Ziegler wrote an incredibly entertaining article that has given me a new view on the Capybara, fulfilling both of his purposes- to show how great of an animal it is and to entertain the reader.