About literary devices

Literary instruments are an essential component of any narrative or textual work. The instruments help to communicate the topics that are discussed in the literary review. Furthermore, textual instruments emphasize the points on which the speaker bases his claims. Rhetorical instruments are among the most widely used and powerful literary devices. Several rhetorical instruments were used in the formulation of the article “Don’t Blame the Eater.” The rhetorical instruments support the author’s case against the policies of American fast-food corporations.

To start, the author used rhetorical questions to pique the reader’s interest and catch their attention. Rhetorical refer to closed questions which relate to the theme under analysis. Rhetorical questions inspire the reader’s imagination. It further serves to direct the reader’s thoughts towards the sentiments that are being projected by the author. Zinczenko enquiry into the factors that may have inspired the lawsuit that McDonald was being subjected to on the premises that it had made the petitioners fat. He asks if the initiative isn’t “like middle-aged men suing Porsche for making them get speeding tickets? What happened to social responsibility” (Zinczenko 391). From the question, the reader is able to infer that the author is concerned with the practices of the fast-food companies and the negative effects of their lukewarm attitude towards the protection of the health of their regular clients. Rhetoric questions are answered in the mind of the reader it captivates the reader’s attention by influencing their attitudes with regards to the subject under examination.

The use of syllogism provides one of the major rhetorical devices in the analysis. Syllogism is a form of deduction that is inferred by the author to further stress the theme or topic of discussion. In giving an example on the listing of chicken on a company’s website separately from the almonds and noodles, the author sought to extol on the contradictory nature of the calories notification that are extended to the clients by the fast food companies. From the syllogism, he concludes that the entire meals offered by the fast food restaurants may amount up to “1,040 calories, which is half of the government’s recommended daily calorie intake. And that doesn’t take into account that 450-calorie super-size Coke” (Zinczenko 393). Syllogism allows the reader to generate an insight on the relevance of the topic or theme that is being discussed in the subject analysis. For instance, from the mentioned syllogism, the reader learns to appreciate the immensity of the danger that is posed by the recklessness of the fast-food companies on the health of the consumers.

Allusion comprises the next predominant rhetorical device in the article “Don’t Blame the Eater”. Allusion refers to a reference to a historical event, object or even figure which will aid the reader in identifying the sentiments that are being forwarded by the author. The author gives an historical background of his family and setting to create resonance with the topic under discussion. He indicates that he “grew up as a typical mid-1980s latchkey kid. My (his) parents were split up, my (his) dad off trying to rebuild his life” (Zinczenko 391). This allusion inspires the conjures the image that the writer experienced the challenges that the patrons of fast food restaurants are currently experiencing with regards to their health. Allusion reinforces the author’s mastery of the topic that is under discussion. Allusion in the text is also manifested when the author indicates that “before 1994, diabetes in children was generally caused by a genetic disorder – only about 5 percent of childhood cases were obesity-related, or Type 2, diabetes. Today, according to the National Institutes of Health, Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes” (Zinczenko 392). The reader is also able to relate to the sentiments which are being emphasized in the subject setting.

Alternatively, the tone of the analysis offers an insight into the attitude that is extended by the author towards the subject. On more than one occasion, Zinczenko employs a sarcastic tone to express his disgust with the social irresponsibility that is projected by first food restaurants. He continuously seeks clarification of the absence of alternatives in justifying his stance against the social irresponsibility that is practiced by fast food companies. He quips that “not surprisingly, money spent to treat diabetes has skyrocketed, too” (Zinczenko 392). The pronouncement is a reflection sarcasm that he extends the subject matter. The pronouncement is chastisement of the lack of concern that is reflected by the food companies in addressing the health concerns of their patrons.

Conclusion

Rhetorical devices play a critical role in forwarding the message that the author intends to communicate to the readers. “Don’t Blame the Eater” provides a succinct reflection of the immensity of rhetorical devices in a literary analysis. Some of the notable rhetorical devices that were used in the article include sarcasm, rhetorical questions and syllogism. Additionally, allusion provided the author with the platform through which he could communicate his interest in the matter.

Work Cited

Zinczenko, David. “Don’t Blame the Eater”. New York Times, (2002): 391-393.