http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/05/05/080505fa_fact_sedaris
STOP. Please read the piece if you haven't, because I don't want my shoddy analysis to ruin your first impression.
Diction- Cigarettes, cigarette paraphernalia, and the people with cigs between their fingers are constantly described using short, negative adjectives. He talks about his "garish disposable lighter and the crudded-up aluminum ashtray" and the "foul little congress" he formed with several smoking internationals in an airport. He uses these adjectives in a self-deprecating way that helps establish the tone.It also helps us understand Sedaris' attitude at the conclusion.The author also jams this piece full of "technical" cigarette terms. I don't know the difference between light, ultra-light, menthol and regulars. These words might fly right over my head, but they establish his credibility with me, and make me more likely to accept what he has to say.
Details- David masterfully incorporates details in this piece. It shows that one point, cigarettes were his second nature. He references at least 17 brands, "Carltons, Kents, Alpines", but there were probably more, I got tired of counting. His obvious experience validates what he has to say. He also uses detail to explain his primal connection to nicotine. Sedaris starts the piece with a personal anecdote informing us that he grew up in North Carolina. North Carolina is in the heart of tobacco country, so his inclusion of geography adds one more piece of supporting detail. He also uses detail to lock his audience in. A school trip to a cigarette plant in the aforementioned North Carolina ended in him being "given free packs to take home to our parents". As the product of countless D.A.R.E programs and a sterile school environment, this use of detail made for an absolutely entrancing introduction, and guaranteed that I read the remainder of the piece.
Imagery- "If a character smoked on a TV show, it did not necessarily mean that he was weak or evil". A character with a cigarette in hand instantly brings to mind a mobster or a homeless man. Sedaris uses this image to clearly show the differences in the attitude towards smoking in the 1980's than now. It helps to explain part of how the author justified his smoking habit despite claiming to hate it as a child and admitting that he always knew it was unhealthy. At points throughout the piece it may seem as if Sedaris is glorifying smoking, but he uses powerful imagery that would make one think twice about it, even if it didn't have quite the same effect on him. He describes a man whose "sternum had been sawed through, and the way his chest cavity was opened, the unearthed fat like so much sour cream, made me think of a baked potato.". This leaves a jarring image in ones head and no doubt about what the author is trying to get across.
P.S I didn't really know where to fit it in, or possibly I was too lazy, but I noticed an abundance of references to god and death in the piece.
1. In order to prepare for writing AP style essays, I think that you need to write one in that format by starting with an effective introduction to lead the reader into the main content of your essay upon stating your thesis.
ReplyDelete2. As of now, your writing consists of merely a summary of what was stated in the piece by the author. You may want to detail exactly why you think the author used the techniques that he used.
3. There is a lack of structure and organization that detracts the reader's interest. The informal language further exacerbates this issue.
5. In summary, the main thing you might want to focus on is the "why" and give your opinion some structure in you writing.
4. The evidence you have presented certainly holds the potential for a well-written argumentative essay on your interpretation of the author's work.
first off beautiful use of the word masterfully respect there
ReplyDeleteGood start to analyzing using DIDLS many good points that aren't obvious to the naked human eye so good analyzing
basically you have really good points that all make sense, im not sure how formal mrs. holmes wanted this to be but im sure you are aware tht this is relatively informal but idk if she's gonna see tht as a problem but other then tht very good points especially your imagery paragraph
Just a quick note your might want to elaborate on your opinions of certain things? Im still trying to figure things out myself as well but i think you mite have to analyze the different things that you found and figure out how they fit into the grand scheme of the piece of literature as a whole?
p.s. wuts going on with your spacing? mite wanna go see a computer doctor
p.p.s. GOOOOD JOBB DOUGIEE
You have a lot of really interesting arguments and use effective textual evidence that add a lot to your writing! Your voice really comes through, which makes it funny and interesting to read (not the slightest bit boring). You also have a good understanding of diction, imagery, and details, which is clear through your analysis, which is free from general statements or superficiality.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Ms. Holmes didn’t specify the format that she wanted this response in, you could consider adding an introduction, topic sentences to your paragraphs, and a conclusion. A thesis would help a lot, since your ideas, though well formed, are separated entirely from the others. You do a great job of explaining why Sedaris uses the techniques he does rather than just the fact that he uses them. Overall, good essay!