Rhetorical device, style, or structure of writing is commonly used in a convincing manner that helps in conveying meaning or to persuade the audience in understanding what the writer is talking about. Rhetorical structure can also be used as a technique to induce feelings and reactions within the audience. The writer, Matthew Malady, uses Aristotelian thoughts, such as Ethos and Pathos rhetorical appeals to communicate to the general public about the common knowledge of using lines in public. To him, it is a common knowledge which does not need one to go to school. It only requires one to be civilized enough and follow the order. Malady uses different type of rhetorical styles in his work to realize his exact effort. Some of the rhetorical appeals he used can be deliberated as figurative language; such as Ethos and Pathos because they are reliant on some phrases or words which are non-literal. But how does he use these rhetorical appeals; ethos and pathos as his rhetorical style and structure to try and engage the public who do not understand the importance of Getting in Lines? The following essay critically analyzes and explains the rhetorical structure Malady used in creating his article, Want To Save Civilization? Get In Line.
How did Malady evoke emotions in his article, Want To Save Civilization? Get In Line? It was pretty simple. Malady used Pathos call as his rhetorical appeal to get the public to understand the importance of using a line while in public. Pathos is an appeal to the emotions such as suffering and experience of the general line users, which provokes emotional state that already exists in them. Pathos stylistic appeal is a linguistic skill that is used more frequently in narrative art, rhetoric, and most often in rhetoric, “The next time you’re stuck behind 250 shoppers in a checkout line that snakes around the aisles in a Trader Joe’s, take a moment to ponder exactly what’s going on. Yes, you’re standing in a queue. Yes, it can be the pits. Except that, all things considered, it’s also pretty great” (Malady). In using this technique, Malady believes that everyone understands what Civilization means. Created from the Latin word Civis, civilization denotes to any person who lives in urban. In the simplest terms possible it basically refers to the advanced point of organization, “Think about how lines work. You’re in a defined space with other people who are all looking to achieve the same result: purchase groceries; buy tickets; enjoy a movie” (Malady). This phase means that it has culture, laws, and a systematic formula of getting something. Therefore, if you understand the general understanding of that line, no one will have a problem with you.
“…the line is not a persistent social nuisance. It’s one of our most noble collective achievements” (Malady). This is common knowledge to the public line users that we should be grateful that there are lines and everyone is served. If a society did not follow the common order or general guiding principles and standards that make everyone equal, there would be chaos. Malady speaks to the public on why character is essential in living in harmony. And to get to try to situate and persuade his readers, Malady uses Ethos as his rhetorical appeal in his article, Want To Save Civilization? Get In Line. In Greek, ethos appeal denotes to the word character which describes the moral ideals and ethics that portrays a society, an ideology, or a nation. It also denotes to the power one possesses that influences behaviors, morals, and emotions. “Unless you’re simultaneously the strongest, smartest, fastest and most universally capable human being on the planet, you should be thankful that lines exist and that, for the most part, people use them in ways that make life less miserable, not more” (Malady). In this statement, ethos has been used to symbolize credibility, integrity, or ethical appeal which encompasses persuasion and advising the public line users.
It is evident enough that Matthew J.X. Malady picked on Pathos-based and Ethos-based rhetorical appeals as his literal devices to create his article, Want To Save Civilization? Get In Line. These specific appeals were essential in influencing and placing the importance of using lines in public. The two rhetorical appeals were critical for bringing out the required emotions. The writer did not go soft on the audience. He stated the facts right as they should have been said. The public line users have a good chance of reading this article and understand that it is not a punishment to get in line but a privilege to all of us. And if we stick to that, we will be saving civilization.