Rhetorical Analysis Of The Uninhabitable Earth

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“The Uninhabitable Earth” Rhetorical Analysis
In the circulating article from New York Magazine, “The Uninhabitable Earth”, David Wallace-Wells presents nine of many chilling results of climate change in a rare style of writing. He does so by using quantitative evidence in nearly every paragraph and quickly shuffling through facts to aggressively express Earth’s impending doom. This article has been praised and criticized by many because of his extremely pessimistic and debatably over-dramatic predictions of the end of life on Earth. His writing prospers in areas like pathos, but lacks in cogency and ethos, which is his downfall for some readers. Although his writing technique is unique, it is unquestionably thought provoking and pulls at your heartstrings. …show more content…

This technique is so rare and journalists are usually diverted from it, but Wallace-Wells breaks all social norms and decides to point his finger anyway. He writes directly to those already aware of the tragedies of climate change, but still need to be woken up and alarmed of it’s severity. He states, “but no matter how well-informed you are, you are surely not alarmed enough”, making it clear his main motive is not to inform, even though he thoroughly did so, but to frighten and awaken the reader. His attitude, tone, and overall use of pathos is what sets this article apart from others and makes his point effective. His words impact the reader and linger in their minds because of his alarming

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