TA: Audience Awareness

Continuing my efforts to better analyze the rhetoric and audiences of larger articles, I read “Why they should stay” from The Economist. The author’s main question is what are the consequences of immediately pulling out troops out of Iraq on Iraqis? This in answered by the view that pulling troops immediately out of Iraq would decimate any hope for stability because pulling out of Iraq would withdraw the security forces needed to protect the people. The target audience are educated people against the war in Iraq, who desire a quicker troop withdrawal but are open to discussion. This is where the article really shines as it constantly keeps in mind its audience.

The Economist spares no trouble disarming the optimistic report of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s optimistic report on Iraq’s progress. The author seems to be one of the readers, with all the same assumptions and concerns regarding Iraq. This greatly builds the author’s credibility.

The main thrust of the argument is carried out by logic. This is because the specific audience wouldn’t accept any emotional-laid stories, or any authoritative quotes coming from General Petraeus or other leaders. Instead, pure reason is used to convince the reader that “the strong case (for staying in Iraq) is that if America leaves, things will get even worse.” Logic is where the audience can be persuaded.

The author also looks at other sides of the issue, anticipating concerns that the reader might have. For instance, the paper discusses that America will probably not “support an indefinite war whose sole remaining purpose [is] to prevent the situation in Iraq from becoming even worse.” However, it’s pointed out that it is still much too early to know if “Iraq can be mended.” Statistics and polls are also used to drive the author’s point home by logic.

The entire argument is brilliantly tailored its audience. The rhetoric is sufficient for the reader, uses logic typical for an intelligent reader and has accurate information. The most impressive thing is how relevant everything is to the audience—everything from the statistics, to the conclusion is made for an audience that is already against the war in Iraq and wants it to end. The author is very successful in the above rhetoric and I would say that this is a beautiful example of both knowing one’s audience and making everything relevant to them.

(Thanks to The Economist September 15th 2007, pp. 13)