http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304256404579449180386537694?mod=trending_now_4
This article from the Wall Street Journal talks about how comedy is beneficial and keep our brains healthy. The author states that comedy puts an odd twist on the way the brain normally functions. The brain "jumps the gun" and expects the ending but is then surprised by the result. The article gives the example of the Groucho Marx joke, "I just shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I don't know." The author then goes into specific case studies of how comedy helps our brains think more creatively and also deal with pain and stress. The only kind of humor not healthy is dark humor when the speaker is the subject. Overall I thought this article was interesting and well, comical. The intended audience is those interested in the brain and readers of the WSJ. The purpose is to inform the audience of real benefits of comedy and to spark curiosity in how the brain functions. The author uses exemplification by starting out with the broad statement of comedy being beneficial to the brain and then going into specific examples and studies. The author uses logos as well with the numerous examples and studies.
