Blog Post 2: Rhetorical Analysis
Welcome back reader, this week, I want to discuss author Marc Aronson's argument in the book Race. Now that I am about halfway through the book and have more of a feel for Aronson's writing, I am beginning to see trends in the writing elements he uses. Aronson usually starts with a story or idea that introduces the subject of the chapter. Starting topics from this week's reading have included aliens, social experiments, and quotes from the 1500s. At a first glance, such topics appear as a way to keep the reader interested in what the author has to say. While these stories may be for engagement purposes, I believe that Aronson puts these ideas at the beginning of his chapters to make his readers think how he needs them to. Of course, I do not mean to say that the author is trying to force his ideas upon the reader, but he needs the reader to be thinking in a specific way to fully appreciate ideas that are not familiar. For example, when discussing the views that people had on religion and sins, Aronson starts the chapter by asking, "What would it take to make you testify against your parents, condemning them to torture and death?" (pg 81). Questions like this are asked by the author to make the reader think in the mindset of the people from another time. These are not light topics that Aronson makes the reader think about at the beginning of a chapter, and it is an essential reminder of the overarching topic of his book.
Another method that I have noticed Aronson uses is directly addressing his audience throughout the book. In last week's reading, Aronson invited his readers to think with him while they read Race. While speaking on his ideas relating to a topic and recapping previous subjects, the author often speaks to his audience. Speaking directly to the audience builds a level of comfort, in my opinion. While reading a book with unfamiliar topics such as those presented in Race, Aronson makes it a point to ensure that his reader does not feel alone. I have found myself less overwhelmed in moments when the author expresses his opinions to the reader or uses "we" to make the book feel like a joined experience.
Throughout many of his chapters, Aronson uses introductory topics and addresses his audience to create a unique experience. Not only are these factors used to get the reader thinking, and continue reading, but they are used to connect to them. Out of all the choices that the author has used in his writing so far, I have found these two to be the most effective. Feel free to use the comments to share if the book you are reading uses similar methods, other methods you find effective, or to share other comments you may have.
Works Cited
Aronson, Marc. Race: A History Beyond Black and White. New York, Atheneum Books
for Young Readers, 2007.
Tessa, I remember really appreciating the stories that Aronson uses to open the chapters, as I felt they helped create a framework for understanding the more complex topics later in each chapter. Why do you think it is so important for Aronson to connect with the reader of the book? Who do you see as his target audience?
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. LaClair,
DeleteMy apologies for the late response; the internet has been inconsistent recently. I am happy to see that you had similar feelings about the beginning of the chapters. To answer your questions, I believe that connecting to the reader is beneficial for Aronson because race is an uncomfortable subject. By establishing a connection with his reader, Aronson can make the topic of race a bit more comfortable. Aronson's discussions of race are easy to understand but present an interesting take on the subject which would be able to expand on any ideas that someone already had. As for the age group that I feel the book is made for, it doesn't feel like it is geared for a specific age group other than people old/mature enough to understand the topics. I believe that his target audience is anyone aged young adult up and with any level of understanding of race.
Hi Tessa! I also liked how Aronson uses little stories and ideas at the beginning of his chapter and how he directly addresses the reader. For me, these two choices not only help me to stay engaged and understand what he is saying, they also help me to connect his writing to the modern day. At this stage in the book, everything is very historical, and it would be easy for me to separate the events from their modern-day impact. However, his stories and direct statements to the reader help me to see things in the big picture and make more connections than I otherwise would, which I think is his goal with the book.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to you, I believe that with a historically-based book, it might be easy to lose sight of the big picture. Although Aronson uses history to explain modern-day issues, I have sometimes felt caught up in that aspect while reading. I have found that the stories at the beginning of a chapter bring me back in. The transition between chapters feels like a time to refocus my attention on connecting the information. Although it is important to focus on the information and how it relates to the main topic, I have found that I often don't do that in the middle of a story. I honestly retain more information when I am not focused on educating myself. The way that Aronson uses beginning of the chapter stories allows me to make connections while not entirely focusing on doing so mid-chapter. After reading the story that begins a chapter, I often pause to link idead. It seems like Aronson's writing choices have helped both of us to stay focused and learning. I hope you continue to enjoy the book!
DeleteTessa, I really connect with your idea of the stories putting you in the right “mindset” to start the chapter. Sometimes his chapters or sections make quite large leaps in topics or ideas, so it’s important to mark a new part of the book with another story. I really liked the alien story he did that you mentioned. In this one and others, he finds a really cool way to place ideas and more importantly, questions in your head that the rest of the chapter will discuss. I really appreciate his ability to make this book something you really have to think about. Then, because of the story from the start of the chapter you feel like you already know what he’s talking about. Good ideas and happy reading!
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