The 20-Mile Fall is an article that was written for Time Magazine describing the events prior and during Joe Kittinger's record breaking jump out of a hot air balloon at over 98,00ft

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Jake Maguire        English Language        DW

The 20-Mile Fall Essay

“The 20-Mile Fall” is an article that was written for Time Magazine describing the events prior and during Joe Kittinger's record breaking jump out of a hot air balloon at over 98,00ft. The article portrays what thoughts and feelings he had as he attempted the jump and gave the reader a detailed account of how he had accomplished what he set out to do. Time Magazine is a very credible and popular magazine which has featured high profile people such as Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and O.J. Simpson. To be written about in Time Magazine shows how amazing his accomplishment was and that the magazine felt it was worthy to have an article to tell the readers what happened. As the article was produced in 1960, Time magazine would also want to print an article about space exploration as this was this was the time of the space race so it would be of more interest to the public.

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The start of the article gives the reader some context about Joe and tells them what he is like. Th e use of a proper noun “Air Force” to describe him gives him credibility as being in the Air Force is well respected. In addition he use of premodifictaion “steel-nerved” shows that he is the best man for the job and creates a hero atmosphere around him. The use of a scientific semantic field, “altitudes”, “atmosphere” and “above sea level”, helps the reader picture themselves being there and is used to exaggerate his accomplishment, making it seem more amazing. ...

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