Writers are often told that their work should be free of bias—that by not staying impartial somehow undermines the message they’re trying to get across. Opinionated works of art and literature, however, can inspire societal and cultural reform. In the article "Loaded Words," published in a 2012 issue of Orion magazine, author and activist Derrick Jensen explains why writing should never remain truly neutral and how it’s ignorant for writers to do so in their work when there are issues going on in the community. As this article is written for an environmental magazine, this analysis of the power of language is then used specifically to convince the reader that environmental protection is a top priority in our society. Through the use …show more content…
In fact, the use of figurative language to persuade the reader begins in the title of the article. “Loaded Words” is used a metaphor that compares the power of language to that of guns or weapons. This analogy is used throughout the essay. For example, like weapons, words can’t fight by themselves, and this is expanded on when he discusses that actions are more important than simply talk (par. 8). This comparison attempts to make the readers feel empowered knowing the significance their words can hold, and with this thinking, the readers are more likely to find his argument convincing because the emotional appeal is personal. The word “loaded” doesn’t only have to be interpreted to serve as a connection to weaponry, but it can also imply something biased or opinionated. Therefore, the phrase “loaded words” also reinforces his argument that not staying apolitical in writing can be a positive …show more content…
In one instance, he lists how many books he’s written, yet he says this with humility, saying that he’s honored “beyond belief” that people pay attention to him (par. 11). From this, the reader is able to see the author as a competent writer while also respecting him and, in turn, his views. Jensen also develops his trustworthiness by listing influential authors who freely voiced their opinions (par. 4). This tells the reader he is knowledgeable about examples where not choosing to remain apolitical in writing had a huge impact on society. Likewise, statistical information about wildlife extinction, such as there being “two hundred species per day driven extinct” or “98 percent of native forests destroyed” help the readers agree with Jensen’s argument through logical reasoning (par. 2). Although used sparingly, this factual data also heightens his credibility since he is able to show that there is proof an environmental crisis and not only depend on appealing to
Throughout the BBC News article, the writer Tejvan Pettinger uses and immense amount of logos to capture and inform his readers of facts that are relevant to the questionable topic. Interestingly he does this by using his vast plethora of sources and social experimental studies that the English news broadcasting station (BBC) has to offer. However, were Pettinger shines and shows true understanding of the English rhetoric is how he presents the information he has compiled into an organized informative. He bluntly presents his arguments in the unorthodox form of a list. Thereafter, he allows the information under each argument to flow and contradict yet, complement each other.
A rhetorical analysis of: “For many restaurant workers, fair conditions not on menu”, an editorial published in February, 2014 by The Boston Globe, reveals the author’s use of classic rhetorical appeals to be heavily supported with facts, including focused logos arguments. “For many restaurant workers, fair conditions not on menu” is a Boston Globe editorial published in February 2014 by author/editor Kathleen Kingsbury. Kingsbury is a Pulitzer prize winning author and is currently the deputy managing editor (The Boston Globe). “For many restaurant workers, fair conditions not on menu” aims to inform the reader of the hardships that minimum wage restaurant workers in the United States have to face and steps that could be taken to solve these issues. The article focuses in on the wage gap,
Occasionally problems in society are suppressed, made worse, or even outright ignored. Some problems could never be addressed until one day a person or group of people decide to challenge the status quo, and to present to masses a problem that they themselves may have never really thought about before. One particular issue addressed by Rachel Carson is the use of pesticides. Rachel Carson wrote the book Silent Spring to combat and question the use of these pesticides. In the excerpt of her book Silent Spring, Carson employs the use of rhetorical questions, a cynical tone and militaristic diction to emphasize that due to the thoughtless actions of farmers and authoritarian figures who have used pesticides carelessly, we are seeing collateral effects on the
The formatting which words are used to persuade a group of people is interesting to research. As Levinson describes in his book, political terms in America are over defined or under defined as general semantics views them. In this paper, an analysis of the lexicon of the article will attempt to explain the different connotations obtained by analyzing and understanding the reading. It should be important to note that in order to be ethical, one must ask themselves what implications his or her word usage is presenting to the audience; assuming that one wants to be ethical of course. The word is the power, therefore when analyzing the word usage when speaking or writing about undocumented workers; the chosen words often allow the reader to gaze into the authors conscious and gain an understanding of their stance regarding the subject at hand.
Authors can persuade readers by using different types of persuasive techniques to get their claim across. One persuasive techniques is loaded language. Loaded language is detailed words used to cause powerful emotions or feelings used to persuade the readers. Authors control their language and word choice by using positive and negative connotation to impact their audience. In R.E. STUBBLEFIELD’s, “ All LIves Matter and Blue LIves Matter Supporters miss the point” claim is people that say all lives matter or blue lives matter you are have to realize that black matter too.
Great literature can open discussion about values and morals. Reading such texts can spark discussion of issues like racism, bigotry, and sexism. Reading can teach individuals about topics they have never experienced before. However, in Francine Prose’s essay, I Know Why the Caged Bird Cannot Read, she argues that using literature to teach outside values is wrong because it takes away from the art of the text. Though I believe that books contain important topics that can spark discussions of values in classrooms, I agree with Prose that teachers shouldn’t use books as a way to explicitly teach students outside values.
Recently, the use of controversial words has become a heavily debated topic and has gained international attention as seemingly truthful statements to some, cause insult to others. The Times article "Why 'Redskins' Is a Bad Word", by acclaimed linguist and professor John McWhortor, was published around the time the use of the word Redskin was being debated. In the article, McWhortor aims to clarify the condemnation of the word Redskin, by suggesting that the offence does not stem from the literal definition of such words, but instead the negative and often derogatory connotations the words have. McWhorter begins by introducing the recent discussions surrounding the use of the word Redskins, especially the actions taken by Californian schools
This quote from Jodi Picoult shows how words have the ability to completely change the way someone thinks or feel when they are used negatively or positively towards someone or a big amount of people. When words are used in a negative way towards someone, they are like eggs, described by Picoult, they make a “mess” because they leave someone feeling incomplete and sad. Words, when used positively, have also the power to make someone feel better about themselves. In the Book Thief, this quote shows that Hitler’s use words have the power to persuade people to believe in his political views which leaves them to go against an entire group of
Iranian writer, Firoozeh Dumas, in her narrative essay, “The F Word,”illustrates the challenges of having a different name in America. Dumas’ purpose is to represent the importance of accepting one’s identity and other’s. Having a different name brought her a great challenge to fit in with her peers. Through the story, she learned how to accept her own name and how should others accept people’s differences. She portrays this idea in a humorous way.
In 1962, Rachel Carson, author of the book, “Silent Spring” paints the image of a disgusting world filled with contamination that is not too far away for the citizens of America in 1962. A world filled with waste and chemicals due to the lack of knowledge that humankind has about the environment would hurt the air, Earth, rivers, and seas, causing both the environment and the human race to be in danger. Carson idealizes change in the environment through use of an abundance of rhetorical devices. Carson utilizes devices such as, imagery, logos, pathos through childhood, compare contrast organization, and shifts in persona. By using rhetorical devices, Carson reveals the truth about the contamination and waste in the environment.
Paul Bogard is very convincing in “Let There Be Dark” he uses various methods and figurative language in order to convince the audience that darkness is necessary. By appealing to the reader’s emotions, logic, and to his credibility Paul Bogard builds a strong argument. The author uses logic to help make his argument more convincing. For example, in the first paragraph he uses a study to prove his point.
George Orwell is the author of, “Politics and the English Language”, an article in which he attempts to persuade the reader to believe his claim that politics are influencing modern writing, in turn causing lazy and vague writing. Orwell says that, “Political language-...is designed to make lies sound truthful”(539). Essentially, his main point is that the habit of writing fancily for little reason, or with little purpose, is reversible with significant effort. Orwell’s goal is to get his readers to follow an “elementary” set of rules listed near the end of the article. He believes that there can be no good writers that do not follow the rules stated.
(1). He uses the rhetorical device of figurative language to give the reader a strong image of his feeling
Malcolm Gladwell’s “What the Dog Saw” People’s reliance on the straw man theory is prevalent in today’s world, and is an adequate yet shallow way of expressing one’s opinions and denouncing the counterarguments. The straw man theory occurs when someone ignores a person's position and instead exaggerates, misrepresents, or creates a distorted version of that position. Malcolm Gladwell, like many other authors of opinion-based pieces of literature, uses this theory as a method of persuasion. Gladwell’s “What the Dog Saw” uses this theory as a method of persuasion.
In the Documentary Before the Flood, Leonardo Dicaprio travels around the world to meet with scientists, activists, and world leaders who inform us about climate change and how it affects our environment. Rhetorical devices are used throughout the documentary such as pathos, logos, and ethos which all are effective and help make claims that are efficiently supported and understood. The rhetorical device of ethos is widely supported throughout the documentary due to the use of scientists, politicians, government companies, and activists who all have credibility and a title that is highly looked up to. Gregory Mankiw is a professor at Harvard and teaches economics.