'Rhetorical Analysis Of Ace Atkins's Prius Owners'

Ace Atkins use of a critical tone and various pathos cause those who thought they were environmentally friendly to rethink their actions.
Atkins critical tone gives his writing personality. He begins his essay by calling out Prius owners. He basically states that some Prius owners are not worthy enough to have Prius. His tone throughout the article is critical and snobby. Ace Atkins states “Contrary to the current fad, you don't become a better planetary citizen simply by investing in a more fuel-efficient car.” Basically he means that we believe that people who have more expansive possessions than us are not always above us. A Prius is looked at as a very expensive car for the upper class. On the road Prius owners are put on a pedestal.

He is telling us that they are equal to us. Later on in the article his critical tone returns. Atkins begins to observe house sizes. He basically concludes that since the 1970s our house sizes have nearly doubled. He then begins to put himself back on the pedestal when he explains how his own house is only 1,800 square feet. Atkins use of his critical tone drew readers in. His writing is very abrupt. In the first paragraph his personality is clearly shown when he begins to describe his thoughts on the road. “Oh, great, you think—a red-stater. The son of a bitch probably never even saw An Inconvenient Truth and tunes in to Fox News between reruns of Walker, Texas Ranger.” Atkins says. His style of writing makes readers interested. His word choice is so strange it makes readers want to continue.
Ace Atkins mixed several pathos into his writing.

He uses this rhetorical strategy to get inside readers heads. He quotes the words of what he refers to as a “Mississippi native Bo Diddley: “Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself." This quote is then followed by a short one sentence paragraph that asks the question “Does your life match your ride?” What Atkins is doing is trying to get inside his readers heads. He is drawn to the conclusion that we believe that we are better than others because of our possessions. We accuse others of problems that we never thought were actually our own fault. We jump to conclusions and always look past this idea. He then continues to place himself back on the pedestal by explaining how he owns a small truck, runs a dog-rescue group, and grows his own produce. Then he turns to us. “You drive an eco-friendly gas sipper. That's great.” He observes. He then continues to explain how our vehicles and other modes of transportation pollute the earth. He uses this same strategy several times throughout the article. His one arguments on others lifestyles are quickly followed by a sentence paragraph that can be seen as a snorky comment. The style of Ace Atkins writing is very critical and uses pathos that place himself above

us.