Questions on Rhetoric and Style

1. Why does Carson begin “A Fable for Tomorrow” with imagery rather than exposition? What is the effect?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Why does Carson begin “A Fable for Tomorrow” with imagery rather than exposition? What is the effect?
2. How do Carson’s tone, style, and purpose change in paragraphs 9 and 10? Why do they change? How does Carson’s voice change from “A Fable for Tomorrow” to “The Obligation to Endure”? How does the difference serve the writer’s rhetorical purpose?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: How do Carson’s tone, style, and purpose change in paragraphs 9 and 10? Why do they change? How does Carson’s voice change from “A Fable for Tomorrow” to “The Obligation to Endure”? How does the difference serve the writer’s rhetorical purpose?
3. Why does Carson call the insect problem a “train of disaster” (para. 23)? What is the effect of this metaphor?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Why does Carson call the insect problem a “train of disaster” (para. 23)? What is the effect of this metaphor?
4. How does Carson appeal to authority in paragraph 27? Where else in the selection does she appeal to authority? What is the effect of her use of statistics in paragraph 28?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: How does Carson appeal to authority in paragraph 27? Where else in the selection does she appeal to authority? What is the effect of her use of statistics in paragraph 28?
5. What are the “agencies” to which Carson refers (para. 33)? Why are they reduced to “so-called control agencies”?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: What are the “agencies” to which Carson refers (para. 33)? Why are they reduced to “so-called control agencies”?
6. Why doesn’t Carson mention her “contention” until she is nearly finished with the piece? Is her argument inductive or deductive? How do you know? Also, why does she tell the reader what her “contentions” aren’t before stating what they are? What response from her readers might she anticipate at this point in their reading?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Why doesn’t Carson mention her “contention” until she is nearly finished with the piece? Is her argument inductive or deductive? How do you know? Also, why does she tell the reader what her “contentions” aren’t before stating what they are? What response from her readers might she anticipate at this point in their reading?
7. Carson says that the public “is fed little tranquilizing pills of half truth” when it contests the use of pesticides (para. 36). Why is this metaphor effective?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Carson says that the public “is fed little tranquilizing pills of half truth” when it contests the use of pesticides (para. 36). Why is this metaphor effective?
8. What do you think Carson’s purpose was in ending the final paragraph (and the chapter) with someone else’s words?

   Chapter 12 - from Silent Spring - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: What do you think Carson’s purpose was in ending the final paragraph (and the chapter) with someone else’s words?