Close Reading

http://www.good.is/post/why-raising-the-dropout-age-won-t-solve-america-s-edcuation-crisis/

 The charisma of this piece stems from the author's careful use of language, diction, and syntax while the argumentative strength comes from his use of detail and powerful structure.

The use of language, diction, and syntax in this piece work together to set the reader at ease as the author assumes an easy, conversational manner.Simple transitions like "but," "so," and "since" and the use of contractions like "it's" and "don't" serve to keep the diction natural and informal. The use of rhetorical questions constantly remind the reader of the presence of what seems more like a speaker or a conversation partner than an author. Finally, the syntax serves a similar purpose in that the sentences are simple and to the point, much like those one would speak.

The sequence in which the author provides details and the overall structure of the essay strengthen the piece considerable. The author begins by summarizing the recent decision by Obama and tentatively validating some of its points. He then, however, pokes holes in the plan in saying that Obama's "solution" addresses symptoms, not the actual issue. The author elaborates on what these actual problems are before providing a series of suggestions, citing details from studies that prove that these suggestions would be successful.

The essay ends on a conflicted note; disappointed that Obama isn't addressing the real issues, but hopeful that someone someday will. The details and structure of the piece have brought us logically to his way of thinking while the agreeable nature of the essay that the diction, syntax, and language bring make us hope right along with the author.

Response to Course Material

Annotating Ceremony has been quite the task; there's just so much there. I find that no matter how much I write, I'm only tapping into a fraction of the insight each page has. When I really start to think, though, the line starts to blur between what the author clearly intended and the conjectures I draw which were utterly unintentional by Silko. I guess depending on how you look at it the two could be argued to be inconsequentially different. These vocab words, though, are tough. The definitions are fine, but identifying and (here's the kicker) analyzing their use is more of a challenge. With such a big bank of words to work with it can be daunting, but here's hoping I'll get better at it as the year goes on.