SOAPSTONE
S - The writer is a stickler for the correct way of writing. She is speaking as a constant writer. O - Larger occasion: The improper use of "literally" in pop culture. Immediate occasion: OED changing the definition of the word to add a contradicting explanation because of it's widespread use. A - Specifically towards the OED and those who are professional writers. P - The author wants the audience to stop slang and trends from changing to the official English language. S- The definition changes in American English language because popular word trends catch on to official language. TONE - "grouchy". furious. passionate. concerned. vehement. uneasy. |
Tone
With the jumbled ideas and vivid language, it is clear that the author wrote this piece in dismay. She talks about selfies as a trend trying to connect it with the main idea of the article, but the transition is not very clear. It is probably because the author had so much emotion towards the topic at hand, she got too excited and failed to make a proper transition. She uses charged words to describes the harms of social networking trends by calling the widespread selfie movement a "pernicious outgrowth of the era's unparalleled narcissism." The negative connotation of these words suggests that she is disgusted. The article is written in first person, yet the author shows her voice when she apologizes for disagreeing with a highly respected dictionary. Her level of passion shows that she is emotional attached to the proper use of words. |