In 1987, reporter Wendell Woodbury made a series of unconventional New Year’s resolutions that stood out for their oddity. Among his commitments were to stop watching the news, avoid visiting the dentist, and give up eating pig liver wrapped in warm lettuce. While many people typically focus on straightforward goals like improving health or having a good year, Woodbury's list included both peculiar and more common promises.

During discussions with others about their resolutions, many shared intentions such as losing weight or exercising more. Woodbury's unique approach to resolutions seemed to downplay the significance of breaking typical vows. The conversation highlighted that while some individuals were striving to stick to their goals, others acknowledged the challenge of maintaining them.

The overall theme revolved around the nature of New Year’s resolutions and how personal choices can vary widely from conventional aspirations. The segment concluded with an invitation for viewers to reflect on whether they believe Woodbury was able to keep his unusual promises throughout the year.

Original article (entitlement)

The article about Wendell Woodbury's unconventional New Year’s resolutions presents a unique perspective on the topic of resolutions but ultimately lacks actionable information, educational depth, personal relevance, public service function, practical advice, long-term impact, emotional clarity, and avoids sensationalism.

Firstly, there are no clear steps or instructions that a reader can take away from the article. While it recounts Woodbury's unusual commitments and contrasts them with more typical resolutions shared by others, it does not provide any guidance on how to create or maintain resolutions effectively. This absence of actionable content means that readers cannot apply any specific strategies or tools to their own lives.

In terms of educational depth, the article remains superficial. It discusses different types of resolutions but does not delve into the reasons behind why people choose certain goals over others or explain any systems related to habit formation and goal-setting. There are no statistics or data presented that could help readers understand trends in New Year’s resolutions or their success rates.

Regarding personal relevance, while New Year's resolutions are a common practice for many individuals seeking self-improvement at the start of a new year, the article focuses primarily on one person's quirky choices without connecting these ideas to broader implications for health or well-being. Thus, its relevance is limited as it does not address how these choices might affect an individual's life meaningfully.

The public service function is also lacking; there are no warnings or safety guidance provided that would help individuals make responsible decisions regarding their own health and habits. The piece reads more like an anecdote than a resource aimed at benefiting the public.

When evaluating practical advice offered in the article, it becomes clear that there is none. The discussion around Woodbury's odd promises does not translate into realistic steps for readers looking to set their own goals effectively.

In terms of long-term impact on readers' lives, this article fails to provide insights that could help someone plan ahead or improve their habits over time. Instead of offering lasting benefits through thoughtful reflection on goal-setting practices and maintaining motivation throughout the year, it simply presents an interesting story without further application.

Emotionally and psychologically speaking, while some may find humor in Woodbury's unconventional choices—potentially leading to lighthearted reflection—the piece does not offer constructive thinking strategies nor clarity about setting meaningful goals for oneself.

Finally, there is no clickbait language present; however, because it lacks substance overall and offers little beyond anecdotal evidence without context or deeper exploration into resolution-making processes—the missed opportunities for teaching are significant.

To add real value where this article falls short: individuals interested in making effective New Year’s resolutions should consider starting with self-reflection about what truly matters to them rather than following trends set by others. They can write down specific goals they wish to achieve along with actionable steps needed to reach those goals—such as setting aside time each week for exercise if fitness is a priority. It’s also beneficial to establish accountability measures by sharing these goals with friends who can offer support throughout the year. Regularly reviewing progress can help maintain motivation and adjust plans as necessary based on what works best personally rather than adhering strictly to conventional methods alone. Engaging in this reflective process allows one not only to set meaningful intentions but also fosters resilience against challenges encountered along the way toward achieving them.

The text mentions that "Woodbury's unique approach to resolutions seemed to downplay the significance of breaking typical vows." This phrase suggests that Woodbury's resolutions are less serious or important than traditional ones. By using the word "downplay," it implies a judgment about his choices, which could make readers view his resolutions as frivolous. This bias helps to elevate conventional goals while diminishing Woodbury's unconventional ones.

The text states, "During discussions with others about their resolutions, many shared intentions such as losing weight or exercising more." This presents a narrow view of what New Year’s resolutions typically involve. By only highlighting common goals like weight loss and exercise, it overlooks other valid aspirations people may have. This selective focus can lead readers to believe that only certain types of resolutions are worthy or acceptable.

When discussing the overall theme, the text says it revolves around "the nature of New Year’s resolutions and how personal choices can vary widely from conventional aspirations." The phrase "conventional aspirations" suggests that there is a standard way to approach New Year's resolutions. This wording implies that those who do not follow these norms are somehow outside the mainstream, which can create an implicit bias against non-traditional goals like Woodbury's.

The conclusion invites viewers to reflect on whether they believe Woodbury was able to keep his unusual promises throughout the year. The use of "unusual promises" carries a subtle connotation that these commitments are not just different but perhaps less valid or serious than typical ones. This framing could influence how readers perceive both Woodbury and his ability to maintain his commitments over time.

The phrase “while many people typically focus on straightforward goals” creates a contrast between conventional and unconventional approaches. It suggests that straightforward goals are inherently better or more desirable than odd ones like those made by Woodbury. By setting up this dichotomy, the text implies a hierarchy in resolution-making based on societal norms, which may lead readers to undervalue unique personal choices.

The text presents a variety of emotions that contribute to its overall message about New Year’s resolutions. One prominent emotion is curiosity, which arises from the unusual nature of Wendell Woodbury's resolutions. Phrases like "unconventional New Year’s resolutions" and "stood out for their oddity" evoke a sense of intrigue about why someone would choose such peculiar commitments. This curiosity encourages readers to reflect on their own resolutions and consider the motivations behind them.

Another emotion present is humor, particularly in the mention of specific resolutions such as "to stop watching the news," "avoid visiting the dentist," and "give up eating pig liver wrapped in warm lettuce." The absurdity of these choices can elicit laughter or amusement, making Woodbury's approach feel light-hearted compared to more serious goals like losing weight or exercising more. This humor serves to create a contrast between typical aspirations and Woodbury's whimsical promises, inviting readers to appreciate the diversity in how people set goals.

Additionally, there is an underlying sense of empathy towards those who struggle with maintaining their resolutions. The text notes that many individuals shared intentions but also acknowledged the challenges involved in sticking to them. This acknowledgment fosters a connection with readers who may have experienced similar difficulties, creating an emotional bond based on shared human experience.

These emotions guide readers' reactions by encouraging sympathy for those facing common struggles while simultaneously inspiring them to consider different perspectives on goal-setting. The combination of curiosity and humor makes Woodbury's story engaging and relatable, prompting readers to reflect on their own approaches without feeling judged.

The writer employs various techniques to enhance emotional impact. For instance, using phrases like “unique approach” emphasizes how different Woodbury’s resolutions are compared to societal norms, reinforcing his individuality. The playful language surrounding his commitments adds an element of fun that contrasts sharply with traditional resolution discussions typically filled with seriousness or pressure.

Moreover, by inviting viewers at the end to reflect on whether they believe Woodbury was able to keep his promises throughout the year, the writer encourages introspection among readers. This invitation not only personalizes the narrative but also strengthens engagement by making it relevant to each individual’s life experiences.

Overall, these emotional elements work together effectively within the text; they create sympathy for common struggles while also inspiring reflection on personal choices regarding New Year’s resolutions. By blending humor with empathy and curiosity through careful word choice and structure, the writer successfully steers reader attention toward a broader understanding of what it means to set goals at the start of a new year.