Ageing out of drugs
In the article "Ageing out of drugs", McKenna wants to tell that we have to work on the natural phenomenon of ageing out to get rid of drug use. She chooses this idea as she is working on a graphic non-fiction book related to metamphetamine users, and has found that this phenomenon of ageing-out could be among the best strategies to deal with the problem. This information about McKenna has been shown in the author biography.
In the article, the author has arranged the ideas or information in a logical flow. She has initially described the drug-use-related issues thoroughly, and then illustrated the phenomenon of ageing-out that is facilitating in getting knowledge of the article. Arranging the information in this way can help the reader in grabbing the information in a reader-friendly manner.
Writing style of the author is informal and the information has been presented in a layman language. Her experience of writing shows that she knows the importance of not repeating the words. This informal style of writing is helpful for general public to get an understanding of the most important points presented in the article. The writer has used most appropriate language and appropriate tone that are among the ethos related rhetorical strategies. Moreover, the experience of the writer is also an important ethos related rhetorical strategy.
The article has references as well as reliable sources. For example, McKenna gives citations to the papers published in Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Journal of Aging and Health along with some other journals; the research by National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the study of National Survey on Drug Use and Health. She gives references to the journal as they are peer-reviewed and are with minimal problem in information. The other references are authentic as they were performed by government. These studies are helpful in providing statistics and supporting information regarding drug use and abuse. This can be considered as not only logos related but also ethos related rhetorical strategy.
The writer started writing the article with a direct quotation from a long-time amphetamine user. In my opinion, the author used this quotation as she wanted to grab the attention of the reader with a quotation of a person, who was directly related to the main points to be discussed in the article. This can also be considered as one of the most important pathos related rhetorical strategy.
A picture of an ex-addict has also been used in the start of article to represent the article’s main idea. The author has not commonly changed the font or style of font, except at one occasion, when the font style changed to Italic to tell the thoughts. The Italic style helps in knowing that sentences or phrases occur in slightly different context. The uses of an image and the different writing style are related to pathos related rhetoric strategy.
Among the various other rhetorical devices, the writer used the method of “Allusion” in which she referred to the persons’ related to the drug use. She has asked a rhetorical question about “ageing out” to give information and persuade the reader. This rhetorical question is directly related to logos as it takes the reader to the facts as well as details coming from objective reporting. McKenna has also provided logical reasoning as, for example, she noted that with the passage of time, a person becomes mature; thereby, his or her nature and responsibilities change and lead him or her to a positive attitude and behavior. These rhetorical devices are used to develop an emotion on the part of the reader and to persuade or convey meaning of the article.
On the other hand, the author has not used the rhetorical devices such as if, then, statements, and definitions of terms. Probably the author thought that the reader would be able to understand the complicated terms in the article. The author has also not used any spiritual or religious persuasion that is a pathos related rhetorical strategy. Probably she did not want to hurt the feelings of others.
Works Cited
McKenna, Stacey. "Ageing out of drugs". Aeon. Aeon Media Group Ltd., 2016. Web. 11 Jan. 2017 <https://aeon.co/essays/most-drug-users-stop-without-help-so-long-as-they-re-not-poor>.
