A Focused, Well-Presented Issue: Framing an Argument for a Diverse Group of Readers

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 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

When Jessica Statsky wrote “Children Need to Play, Not Compete,” she knew she would be addressing her classmates. But writers of position essays do not always have such a homogeneous audience. Often, they have to direct their argument to a diverse group of readers, many of whom do not share their concerns or values. From the first sentence, it is clear that Etzioni’s primary audience is the parents of teenagers, but his concluding sentence is a direct address to the teenagers themselves: “Go back to school.”

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write a paragraph or two analyzing and evaluating how Etzioni presents the issue to a diverse group of readers:

  1. Reread paragraphs 1–7, highlighting the qualities—values and skills—associated with traditional jobs (the newspaper route and lemonade stand of yesteryear) and with today’s McDonald’s-type jobs, at least according to Etzioni. How does Etzioni use these values and skills to lead parents to reconsider their assumption that McDonald’s-type jobs are good for their kids?
  2. As we point out in the headnote, Etzioni’s teenage son Dari helped him write the essay. Skim the essay looking for places where Etzioni appeals to teenagers themselves. Notice, for example, how he represents teenagers’ experience and values. Explain how effective you think Etzioni’s appeal would be to teenage readers and how effective you think it would be for you and your classmates.

    Question