Rhetorical Analysis Of The North West Blues

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In “The North West Blues”, Smith responds to the news that some libraries will be shutting down and writes to protect libraries. In his piece, she uses rhetorical devices, emotional appeal, and emphasizes that the library is an important resource. This passage will analyze how Smith effectively draws the reader into the discussion and logically refutes arguments and take a look at his mistakes and ways of countering contentions. In defending his claim that libraries should be preserved, Smith looks at why the libraries are shutting down: “Kensal Rise… is unprofitable, Green… is for a sweet real estate deal”. In response, she logically responds to the contentions by recognizing the popularity of libraries that serve as an indoor public space that can be used to study: “you don’t have to buy anything in order to stay”. She concludes that libraries provide important …show more content…

“Can we keep our libraries?” Smith takes the position on behalf of all of the library activists, stepping out of his point of view, and assimilating his viewpoint to speak for the people’s as well. She specifically uses the word “we” to make the audience feel included and apart of the movement to keep libraries. Rather than only referring to only statistics and evidence, Smith appeals emotionally to the audience, emphasizing that we are humans, not robots, and there is something intrinsic about the library that should not be taken away. Additionally, she utilizes a literary technique of allegory to portray an abstract idea as a form of character, illustrating Mr. “Notmytaxes” as the notion of people that do not want to pay for libraries because they do not use them in the first place. She brings out a “call to action”, asking the authorities to think more seriously about the consequences and bring more weight into their

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