Style and Presentation in Arguments March 23, 2008

This week we discussed arguments made about body image, specifically being thin. The chapter in EA about style and presentation in arguments has a lot to do with how the wording, punctuation, sentence structure, and the use of tropes in an argument affect the impact of the argument on the reader. Word choice is very important in making an arguments because it can distract or capture the reader. For example, the text we read this past week, Skinny Bitch, uses slang terms and has a demeaning tone. This type of language, may capture some readers, but according to commentaries about the book, it can also arouse discontent in others. Whatever the situation, though, the argument is made that people who want to be skinny need to use their heads more and turn vegan. Although the author’s don’t outright speak this point, through the use language encapsulate this message. The text also uses short sentences to make stronger points. One example is when the author’s say, “So drinking soda can make you fat, sick, and unhappy.” (14). The authors just throw blunt statements out to the reader; these shape the argument, giving it more definition. In terms of punctuation, one example in the text is the use of ‘=’ signs to make connections, such as ‘Healthy = Skinny. Unhealthy = Fat.” (11). Such sharp conclusions make the argument sharp as well. Tropes (such as metaphors, similes, and analogies) and schemes (such as parallelism and inverted word order) also style arguments. In the text, Skinny Bitch, the authors use a metaphor to show the evilness of soda to the body by saying, “Soda is liquid Satan.” (13).  To some readers, like me, these types of metaphors can be too much, but for others this type of language is acceptable and the point that the authors are trying to make is understood. The target audience is important to consider when styling and presenting arguments.