A Focused, Well-Defined Problem: Using Statistics

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 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

For problems that are new to readers, writers not only need to explain the problem but also need to convince readers that it exists and is serious enough to justify the actions the writer thinks are necessary to solve it. Kornbluh assumes readers will not be familiar with the problem she is writing about or take it seriously, so she spends the first part of her essay introducing the problem and the second part establishing the problem’s existence and seriousness.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Printed Page 327

Write a couple of paragraphs analyzing and evaluating Kornbluh’s use of statistics to present the problem:

  1. Reread Kornbluh’s opening paragraph. Given that her audience probably combines people in business, labor, and government, what makes the statistics she cites there effective or ineffective?
  2. Now reread paragraph 7. Notice that Kornbluh cites statistics from two different time periods in this paragraph. How does this comparison contribute to Kornbluh’s presentation of the problem?
  3. Finally, skim Kornbluh’s proposal to find places where she cites the raw number together with the percentage. Here’s one example:

    According to a recent study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, 49 percent of workers—over 59 million Americans—lack basic paid sick days for themselves. (par. 10)

    How, if at all, does giving statistics in both forms help readers? In addition to clarity, for what other reasons might Kornbluh have stated the number in two different ways?

    Question