Different Types Of Strategies Quindlen example essay topic
She appears to be voicing her opinion in an effort to bring reason and clarity to a confusing and emotional topic. To do this Quindlen uses personal experiences along with practical real life experiences. By using these different types of strategies Quindlen is able to achieve a greater influence over her audience. The primary purpose portrayed through Quindlen's writing is the complete and all-encompassing celebration of life. Quindlen is not supporting or denying a women's right to choose whether or not she should have an abortion. Here we find a sole voice crying out to the masses.
Those who have not been placed in such a predicament and are confronted with someone who has seen or experienced both sides of the issue and is seemingly trying to encourage these young people to think wisely about the main issue that is being confronted. Her primary purpose is proven to be true because of the strategies that she uses. Quindlen uses different strategies in her essay to try and persuade her audience. She uses her voice indirectly rather than directly when talking about the personal experience of abortion.
At the beginning of the essay she talks about how she was a counselor in a college dormitory. And she says "it was always the look on their faces that told me first" (627). She has had so many girls come talk to her about the decision that they do not even have to say anything to her any more. With Quindlen being a freshman guidance counselor and witnessing what these girls are experiencing says this causes her to become pro-choice. Other strategies she used in her essay are evidence and ambiguity.
The evidence she uses in this essay refers to her family and what she went through having her children. Evidence stated in this essay is less than what one would think because when this issue is usually discussed the writer lets their emotion over run the issue. She uses her family enough to let her audience know that she has a little credibility with the situation. Asking her husband a question about what if she accidentally got what would he want her to do? He says "and waste a perfectly good human being" (628)? He said this being sarcastic and really meaning that even though they might struggle with having a third child that they would still keep it and love it as much as their other children.
She used her husband to show that the choice is not just for the female but for the male also. Her third strategy used is ambiguity. When legally we have the right to say yes but morally, is this the right decision to make? The right to choose is a choice that she has already made but she chooses to stay behind both sides of the lines depending on what situation the person is in. Allowing her audience to choose without her having to drive a certain side into their brains. This choice should be made before we are put in to this situation before we decide to lye down with that person or before we even think about that person in a sexual way, but our society today thinks after and not before.
Quindlen lets her audience know that it is not easy raising children even when you think it is the right situation or the right time in your life, because truly their never is a right time to have children. Her continues jumping back and forth from one side to another gives her audience reasons as to why they might choose a certain side. By choosing these strategies she appeals with pathos. Showing her emotion by caring for people who have had to make this decision.
Her audience consists of people who have not been pregnant; this includes men who are virgins also. The thought of abortion cannot be in someone's head unless the thought of have sex is present. She is trying to give her virgin audience that reason not to have sex. Behind the big picture of abortion is having sex at an early age.
Quindlen may not talk about sex in her essay but in the reading one can tell that sex is the unspoken truth. Having an abortion is not a choice you make after you find out your pregnant it is a choice you have already made from one night of not making the right decision. Her emotions are felt throughout this essay and she demonstrates how strong her character is by not choosing a side. Because her audience is aimed towards young people her strategies are dictated upon dealing with a generation that needs things done now and in a hurry. Which causes her not to beat around the bush.
She hits it on the head and makes it relevant to them so they can buy into what she is saying. Quindlen is very effective because she forces the reader to look at both sides of the issue without making one side seeming better or worse. In the end of the essay she says "but I don't feel all one way about abortion anymore, and I don't think it serves a just cause to pretend that many of us do" (629). This quote lets the reader identify with it being okay to feel conflicted about abortion.
It seems that often people feel they have to choose sides in the abortion debate. However, Quindlen allows her audience to find comfort and acceptance and not really knowing what they would do if ever faced with this decision. She uses a balance of real life examples that she has experienced and witnessed. Most of her examples touch the reader deep down inside so that they are left feeling as if they were a fly on the wall when these things were going on. At the end of the day where has Quindlen left the issue? She leaves it seemingly where it should stay... in the heart of those affected by it.
This is a personal issue that needs to be taken seriously according to Quindlen. After having lived through many different sides of this issue she appears to still have no one side that she is partial to. She is celebrating life however she shows great empathy and compassion for all who may make a decision to not go ahead with bringing a life into the world..