Junk Food, Not Junk Work
The following essay is an analysis of two interesting topic about fast food, and the damage that it causes in the American population. The first article is “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko, who blames the fast food companies about the fast food consumption. The other article is “Junking Junk Food” by Judith Warner. In this article she makes an analysis about the banning of junk food, specifically cookies, in a school of Pennsylvania, criticizing different points of view, and actions from the authorities.
The title is one of the key parts of a written piece of work. It can either catch the readers attention and make them read the whole entire piece, or be boring making them avoid reading that written work.. David Zinczenko’s title “Don’t Blame the Eater”, is able to catch the attention of the reader. This title removes the sensation of guilt from the reader, as it blame everyone but the fast-food consumers for doing it. However, it would be more effective if David,
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would have blamed just one person in specific, because society like to remove that guilt sensation and that is not it, they also like to know or have a figure to blame for. If the author would have blame the fast-food company, this would have been a perfect title. Meanwhile, “Junking Junk Food” is an interesting title, as it has a word game usage. The author uses the same word to play with the title, this may catch the reader’s attention, but it does not give a clear idea about the analysis itself. The author should have stated her point of view in title, by doing this Warner would have given an idea to the reader about what he is about to read. A claim is the main idea or position of the writer that is being portrayed to the audience. It should be clear and easy to understand for the reader. In “Don’t Blame the Eater” the author’s claim is clear and easy to understand, it is that the eaters are not guilty of their action. He claims and explains, how the lack of information is the main cause of the fast-food consumption, as he blames fast food companies, for not giving information enough, or information at all. Unlike Zinczenko, Judith Warner does not have a clear claim, it is difficult for the reader to understand what her main idea is. She mentions different ideas and topics about the banning of junk food in private schools of Pennsylvania, but she does not stand to a main idea as she contradicts herself constantly. Any argument of any type must have an opposition, or there would be no reason to argue in the first place.
David Zinczenko makes an opposition to Jay Leno’s monologue, “Kids taking on McDonald’s this week, suing the company for making them fat. Isn’t that like middle-aged men suing Porsche for making them get speeding tickets? What ever happened to personal responsibility?” (391). The author uses almost the rest of his writing work to make an opposition of this monologue, he tries to defend and persuade that the individuals that consume junk food are not guilty at all, and conversely blaming the fast food companies for the lack of information. On the other hand, Judith Warner does not has an opposition in her writing, she agrees with a segment of Sarah Palin. Arguing that the government are turning children into no-brain machines, saying that they are not letting them choose what they really want to eat, all these as a consequence of legislative actions to fight
obesity. The usage of experts is fundamental in any written work, as it gives credibility to the paper. They are also important to back up or oppose to the opinion of the writer. This is a weakness in both, “Don’t Blame the Eater” as the author does not use any expert to either back up, or oppose his ideas, this may be caused by his type of writing as his main purpose is to persuade the readers that it is not their fault to eat fast food. In the other hand, warner uses the opinion of Sarah Pali to back up her work, as Pali agrees with her, and also blames the government for turning th kids into no-brain machines, with lack of love for junk food. It is important for the writer the usage of evidence in order to persuade the readers, the evidence serves as a proof of what the author is trying to explain, it is when their thoughts turn into facts. In “Don’t Blame the Eater” Zinczenko uses a lot of evidence. One example is, “Before 1994 diabetes in children was caused by a genetic disorder, only about 5 percent of childhood cases were obesity-related, or type 2, diabetes. Today, according to the National Institutes of Health, Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes in this country”(393). By doing this, the author is giving plenty of credibility to his writing. He is being able to persuade and convince the reader that obesity problems are something new, that we did not have these problems before. In “Junking Junk Food” there is a lack of evidence, but this is not a weakness of this writing, as it is based on opinions more than facts and it is not trying to demonstrate something solid. Common-Ground is also important in all the writing works, this makes that the author does not look as if he/she is just trying to contradict the original paper. In “Junking Junk Food”, Judith Warner agrees with Sarah Palin when she says, “Still, however shaky its factual foundations, Palin’s highly mediatized cookie showdown was a big rhetorical win”(400). Judith wants to express that Sarah was able to show that Obama snatching cookies from the mouths of kids. David Zinczenko does not uses common ground as he completely disagree with Jay Leno’s article, and defend the eater for the lack of alternatives for fast food, as well as the lack of information. In conclusion the paper written by David Zincenko “Don’t Blame the Eater”, is better written than “Junking Junk Food” by Judith Warner. In “Don’t Blame the Eater”, the author is able to persuade the reader, he is always in the same point of view, and he uses interesting, real and sensitive facts to defend his point of view. In the other hand, Judith Warner made an excellent job as well, but she does not use a lot of evidence to back up his paper, and she appeals a lot to the feelings trying t persuade the reader.
We must do something about fast food products, to stop from affecting children and leading them to obesity. Is what reflect David Barboza’s article “If You Pitch It, They Will Eat.” School’s, Parent’s, Policy Makers, etc… Should take the lead in this action, by reducing many unhealthy food products from school’s, store’s, and place’s close to home.
Throughout the United States many American’s go through and eat at fast food places such as, McDonalds, Burger King, and Jack ‘n the Box. Mainly unaware of the amount of weight one can gain if consuming it on a daily bases or even two times week, can cause health issues, diabetes and possibly obesity. This was the main premise for writer Dave Zinczenko essay Don’t Blame the Eater, who makes an argument that many people are becoming obese and diabetic because of the fast food they eat. He asks a regarding his concern; Shouldn 't we know better than to eat two meals a day in fast-food restaurants?, As a way to engage the general public, like parents and teenagers, he expresses his argument through his own experience when he was a teenager eating at fast food places and information on the fast food industry in regards to how many calories are in the food.
He begins his argument by commenting about kids suing McDonald’s for “making them fat” (Zinczenko 462). Zinczenko ponders the absurdity of this claim considering how food choices are based on personal responsibility. However, he then considers the overwhelming availability ratio of fast food to fresh food while sympathizing he was once obese himself (Zinczenko 462). Zinczenko uses the primary argument that fast food companies are deceiving consumers with misleading advertisement, hidden nutrition facts, and calorie risks. He believes companies are encouraging the public to eat their unhealthy foods by omitting alarming information and levying “good” deals. In consequence, fast food companies are increasing the chances of obesity and diabetes in consumers by stimulating poor eating
In Fast Food Nation, Schlosser goes beyond the facts that left many people’s eye wide opened. Throughout the book, Schlosser discusses several different topics including food-borne disease, near global obesity, animal abuse, political corruption, worksite danger. The book explains the origin of the all issues and how they have affected the American society in a certain way. This book started out by introducing the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station beside the Colorado Springs, one of the fastest growing metropolitan economies in America. This part presents the whole book of facts on fast food industry. It talks about how Americans spend more money on fast food than any other personal consumption. To promote mass production and profits, industries like MacDonald, keep their labor and materials costs low. Average US worker get the lowest income paid by fast food restaurants, and these franchise chains produces about 90% of the nation’s new jobs. In the first chapter, he interviewed Carl N. Karcher, one of the fast food industry’s leade...
Whether we recognize it or not, every day the common person drives by numerous fast food restaurants. It could be McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, or one of plenty more. Most citizens make the decision on their own as to if they will make that purchase. A majority of the responsibility falls back on the consumer, but some will make the arguments that children cannot make that decision for themselves. It is a valid argument to question if this responsibility is in the parent’s hands, children’s, or simply it is just circumstantial. In the reading “Don’t Blame the Eater” the author David Zinczenko presents the case that we as citizens cannot put this blame directly onto the individual. Cases like this can be open to one’s interpretation. However,
In “Don’t Blame the Eater”, by David Zinczenko and in “What You Eat is Your Business”, by Radley Balko both authors discuss and make their stance’s clear on their believed cause of obesity in America. On one hand, Zinczenko argues that it is not the consumers fault for putting themselves at risk of becoming obese or being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but that it is the fast-food companies fault. While on the other hand, Balko argues that we as individuals hold responsibility on whether or not we are putting ourselves at risk for obesity.
Many people in America love to get greasy, high calorie fast food from many places such as McDonalds and its competitors, but in the article “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko, he reveals the health problems associated with these fatty, salty meals. His articles are affective with its well organized layout, rhetorical appeals and tone which give it a very convincing argument. As you read through the article the author reveals the underlying problems with eating fast food and how there are no warnings of such problems posted. As a former obese child who grew up to diet and watch what he ate he sets a credible stance for the argument.
Palin criticized the proposed limited on junk food in schools in Pennsylvania, which was suppose to help encourage parents to give their children healthy snacks. The governments proposal was poorly prepared based on the fact that private schools would not even be affected. I believe Warner uses this story of Palin because it grabs attention of the audience and emphasizes that the government has lack of knowledge of the obesity problem. In Warner’s discussion of the governments ideas of removing junk food, one controversial issue has been that the government lacks knowledge. On one hand, Warner argues Palin’s twitter account, uses uneducated language. On the other hand, she contends it should be an individual’s right to eat what they choose. Others even maintain that the government should do something about this unhealthy American lifestyle. My own view is that taking away cookies is wrong because Americans will continue to eat junk food at their own will. When the school doesn’t provide them, they can still get it elsewhere. As much as the government continues to stress eating healthy, people will still continue to make their own choices. Personal choices will always come first. I believe the government has the right to take responsibility to educate people about eating habits but that should be it. Parents should step up and change there attitudes as much as they can. This society relies on easy and fast meals. Ultimately, what is at stake is health and people must change attitudes towards fast food for healthy lifestyles to improve. It 'll take time and patience to get all Americans to change attitudes to living a some what healthy
As consumers, we like to believe that the information we are told is truthful and unbiased however, this is not always the case in relation to the fast food industry. In his essay “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko builds a convincing argument by using logical reasoning that fast food companies should be more truthful with their caloric content. Zinczenko also uses this logical reasoning to show how ease of access and family structure can affect fast food consumption. However, Zinczenko’s use of hasty generalizations and cause and effect fallacies render his argument unconvincing overall.
Best selling author of Eat This, Not That, David Zinczenko’s article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” blames the fast food industry for the growing rate of obesity in the United States. Zinczenko’s main idea is that fast food companies should have warning labels on all the food they supply. Zinczenko believes that since health labels are put on tobacco and preserved food product, fast food industries should put labels on today’s fast food. Discussions about the availability of fast food compared to healthier alternative were brought up as well. Zinczenko states that when looked at, a salad from a fast food restaurant could add up to half of someone’s daily calories (155). He believes that because of fast food, Americans are having more health risks, which includes an insane rise in diabetes. Some agree with Zinczenko saying fast food companies should be the ones responsible to show people the truth about their foods. On the other hand Radley Balko, a columnist for FoxNews.com, states that fast-food consumption ...
The article “Don’t Blame the Eater” written by David Zinczenko touches on the controversial topic of fast food consumption. He starts of the article with a very common criticism that many over weight fast food consumer are told “Take personal responsibility”. Mr. Zinczenko defends the fast food patrons by establishing since of creditably about the topic; being that he us to be a common fast food patron in his youth. He clam that not all fault lies on consumer but, in the government and fast food chains.
Nevertheless, some people insist that fast foods, such as chips, hamburgers and fizzy drinks, that are so cheap and tasty, are not a consequence of the health problems. However, I strongly disagree that fast food has no bad impact on people’s health. I believe that fast food has a negative impact on society and, therefore, people must take care of themselves and lead a healthy lifestyle if they do not want to face serious problems with their
“Don’t Blame the Eater” is an article by David Zinczenko that explains to Americans, specifically overweight young Americans, about the risks eating at fast food restaurants and its cause of affecting one’s health. In his article, he tries to address the issue about America’s food industries by using literal devices such as tone, logos, ethos, diction, and organization in order to spread his message. He begins his article by addressing the topic and as he continues writing, he supports his topic by writing about personal experience and moves onto the reasons why his topic in a serious issue. Although he shows an overall clear progress, he does tend to have a few problems with his writing that could be improved.
Rachel Lauden’s essay In Praise of Fast Food presents a fresh point of view by taking a look at the way the poor fed themselves throughout history and comparing it with the reality of today’s fast food industry. The current thinking about fast food is that it is unhealthy and leads to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, when it is eaten without moderation.
In this article “Fast Food and Personal Responsibility” (2003) which was written by Ninos P. Malek, Malek tries to argue and show people that it’s not entirely the fast food industries’ fault that people are obese or sick . He argues using 3 different supporting examples; first he says that, “High school students blaming their poor diets on school cafeteria” (Malek, 2003, p.309). Most student tend do that, but actually most cafeterias sell healthy and unhealthy food but people always need something to blame and never hold themselves the responsibility for their own action, secondly he says that no one is putting people under gun point to make them buy fast food (2003, p.309). That’s actually true but still he forgot to mention the fact that they are trying to brain wash people into buying their food through their erroneous advertisements. Third and last Malek tries to compare smoking to fast food, because back then tobacco companies were sued too for almost the same reason which is about health. Malek’s argument was precise because people need to learn to take responsibility for their own actions and should know that when they buy fast food they are weighing their own costs and benefits. But he didn’t show the immoral and unethical things the fast food industries were doing by using erroneous advertisements. The fast food industries shouldn’t be held accountable for this because everyone has a freedom of choice and they can choose whether to eat it or no.