Analyzing the effectiveness of the writing strategies in the reading “Hit

the Brakes” by Christopher DeWolf.

Essay outline

Introduction

Attention-getter: Write an attention grabber for your essay

Summary: Write a brief summary of the reading you are analyzing

Thesis Statement: DeWolf (2005) uses the expository style in his article to address

everyone who wants to have a break in their lives and efficiently applied an appeal to Ethos,

imagery and first-person narration to effectively portray his arguments, and these writing

strategies made the reading very effective for the readers to comprehend and reflect.

Body Paragraph-1

Topic Sentence (1st supporting point):

Firstly, DeWolf uses Ethos persuasive appeal to persuade readers about his point of view.

(this is first claim which introduced the first reason why the reading is effective)

Support (1st supporting point):

(you can write all the supporting points in point form)

 In the sentence “Why slow down? What’s the advantage to you, me, and
everyone else in the world? In a word, sustainability: economic, social,
and environmental” (DeWolf, 2005, p.1), the author uses an appeal to
ethics. (this is textual example-1 which supports the topic sentence)

 When readers see words such as sustainability and environmental, they

might be convinced easily and it will be trustworthy for them. Appealing to
people’s ethics with a series of talks that generally has a positive meaning
 has a highly significant effect on the reader’s perception when making a
judgment of the author’s argument. (this is clarification of the previous
example which discusses the effect this has on the reader)

 in some sentences, the author uses the authority and credibility of some
professionals such as Mary Dean Lee, an instructor at McGill University.
(this is textual example-2 which supports the topic sentence)

 DeWolf does that because readers used to believe more when articles
mention universities or studies related to the field or topic. (this is
clarification of the previous example which discusses the effect this has on
the reader)

 Therefore, the author uses ethos persuasive appeal by bringing some

examples from the series of credible talks and the notable authority to

support his arguments to enhance the credibility of the reading. (this is

concluding statement)

Topic Sentence (2nd supporting point):

In addition, Dewolf uses imagery which made the reader visualize the beautiful leisurely

afternoon he was spending. (this is 2nd claim which introduced the 2nd reason why the reading

is effective)

Support (2nd supporting point):

(you can write all the supporting points in point form)

 Dewolf (2005) describes his afternoon as “It’s a gorgeous spring

afternoon in Montreal and I’m sitting on my back balcony, sipping a beer
and watching the alley life below…” (para.1). (this is textual example-1
which supports the topic sentence)

 This description would enable the reader imagine and sense the author’s
feeling of blissfulness while taking break from the busy schedule. (this is
clarification of the previous example which discusses the effect this has on
the reader)
  By the end of the first paragraph, Dewolf has the reader with a clear
image of the kind of person he is, and the kind of life he aspires to lead.
The setting he created is also one which most readers wouldn’t be
opposed to. He utilizes imagery perfectly at the beginning and also at the
end of the essay where he says “Sitting on my balcony, legs propped up
on the railing…” (para.13). (this is textual example-2 which supports the
topic sentence)

 It depicts clearly to the readers that slow life is the best life in which you
live lively and achieve happiness. (this is clarification of the previous
example which discusses the effect this has on the reader)

Topic Sentence (3rd supporting point):

DeWolf uses first-person narration effectively to describe a series of events in which he went

through. (this is 3rd claim which introduced the first reason why the reading is effective)

Support (3rdsupporting point):

(you can write all the supporting points in point form)

 For instance, in the sentence “I want to work less and enjoy life more—
and I’m not alone” (DeWolf, 2005, p.1), he relates one thought from the
perspective of “I” and states his point of view clearly. (this is textual
example-1 which supports the topic sentence)

 In this example, the author gives emphasis on how many people beside
him are involved in this whole movement of ‘slower life. A storyteller’s
background might decrease the effectiveness of using this writing
technique. (this is clarification of the previous example which discusses
the effectiveness of this strategy)

 In fact, the reliability of his first person point of view could be affected in
the manner how he describes himself in some fragments. To mention a
few, in the shorts, “Maybe that’s just the product of a naive young mind”
and “most of us really, really don’t want to” (DeWolf, 2005, p.3). (this is
textual example-2 which supports the topic sentence)

 the reader can interpret his point of view as a lazy mind, a young person
who does not want to be productive as the old generations used to be.
 Therefore, his public target might be young generations because they can
feel more comfortable with this type of set of mind. (this is clarification of
the previous example which discusses the effect this has on the reader)

Conclusion

DeWolf aptly begins the article “Hit the Brakes” by connecting with the reader through first
person narration, vivid and appealing imagery, and an appeal to ethos.

Memorable Statement

The writer might have struck a chord with most readers with the first paragraph, but failed to
keep up the momentum and ultimately lost touch with the promotion for a ‘Slow Movement’.