An important part of an exemplification essay is using correct essay structure and examples. The examples may be used to help the writer explain, clarify, and support their arguments or points (Kirszner 207). Examples could also be used to add interesting topics in the authors paper, making the paper enjoyable (Kirszner 208). Using correct writing structure in the exemplification essay is also important (Kirszner 211-212). Both Brent Staples’s memoir “Just Walk On By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space” and Maia Szalavitz’s article “Ten Ways We Get the Odds Wrong” use exemplification with similarities and differences in the way they use their examples as a way to explain their main points, the way it affects how interesting …show more content…
In his memoir, Staples writes about racial profiling he has personally experienced in the New York and Chicago area. He talks about himself walking down a deserted street with just the woman (238). Staples then talks about the fear he could feel in the woman with the distance she kept away from him (238). Eventually the woman started running until she disappeared into the cross street (Staples 238). He writes about another time he was racially profiled in a jewelry store (241). Staples just walks into a jewelry store to pass some time while he was on an assignment and “the proprietor excused herself and returned with an enormous red Doberman pinscher (Staples 241).” When the proprietor brought the “enormous red Doberman pinscher” out Staples just left the store after greeting the proprietor farewell (Staples …show more content…
He is telling a story starting from the beginning and moving towards events that happen later. Staples first talks about his “first victim” and moves along his timeline (Staples 238). Staples then talks about what his first year was like outside of his hometown and states that it was filled with people who were afraid of him (Staples 239). He then talks about him moving to New York after his time in Chicago (Staples 239). he writes about his experience in New York, and even there he has people who are afraid of him (Staples 240). In the end of his memoir he talks about how he tries to be less menacing. In conclusion, there are similarities and differences in Staples’ memoir and Szalavitz’ Exemplification relies heavily on using examples (Kirszner 207). The examples can help the writer explain, clarify, and or support their topic or point (Kirszner 208). The examples can also help draw the readers’ attention (Kirszner 208). Exemplification may rely mostly on examples used, but the structure of the essay is also important (Kirszner
In Brent Staples essay "Just Walk On By: Black Men and Public Space" Staples uses a lot of diction to puts emphasis on the tensions between the black and white races. It was very clear to point out and say that his target audience are the scared white women and people that get frightened when they see a person of color. Staples knows that there are good and bad black people but regardless of what he thinks of himself others will always look at him different. So to change their ideals he uses strong diction to get them to feel different.
In “Night Walker,” Staples depicts the scene where he first encounters fear and alienation based on his race, gender, age, and location at that certain time of day. He is in a neighborhood known for muggings, and being a
Her use of imagery paints a picture for the readers which ultimately helps to make learning the writing process easier. For example, when she says “the critics would be sitting on my shoulders, commenting like cartoon characters”, this creates a humorous and memorable image of shoulder sized critics (Lamott 469). This step in the process is unusual from what other authors say, yet it’s interesting which engages the reader. Lamott also uses similes and metaphors throughout the essay to explain what it is like for most struggling writers. She states “we all often feel like we are pulling teeth” when it comes to constructing and composing a piece of work (Lamott 468).
Society in today’s world is very alike to society years ago, with different social classes and stereotypes. In “Just walk on by” by Brent staples, a variety of rhetorical devices are used in order to convey the message of how a black man is trying to show society that he is so much more than the color of his skin. The author explains how the character was characterized as violent and dangerous because he was black. Staples continues on a sort of journey with the character to show how he overcomes that stereotype, by whistling classical music to give the idea that he is mature and less threatening. Throughout the piece, Staples uses devices that will help the reader better understand the struggles that the character has to face on a daily basis.
By using such a unique story with eye-catching phrases as the introduction of his article, Staples evokes the emotion of fear and unsettledness that soon proceeds to a feeling of relief, yet in a way that 's melancholic.
Staples expresses his argument with real life experiences that have caused him to be stereotyped as a black male. People often think black males are “thugs”, “muggers”, or “rapist”, Staples points out that not all blacks fall under this category, especially him. Staples was first stereotyped when he was out walking at night (because this is what he likes to do) and comes across a white female who perceived him as a mugger or a rapist. This is when he realizes that he was “indistinguishable from the muggers who occasionally seeped into the area”( Pg.301 Para. 2). Staples comes to the conclusion that “being perceived as dangerous is a hazard itself” (Pg. 301 Para.)
Through these actions, he ignores the notion of feeling like a thug while also lessening the aspect of terror felt by nearby people. The whistling allows others to see the accurate representation of Staples. He dresses different, makes himself smaller, less threatening. He 's cautious of the time of day he goes outside and what he wears. “As a softy who is scarcely able to take a knife to a raw chicken...
Staples persona also helps the message through the use of
The women’s racism caused her reaction of “running in earnest,” “worried glances” and her eventual getaway, exemplifying the prejudice of a black male. He further demonstrates his “ability to alter public space” when just crossing “in front of a car stopped at a traffic light.” He hears the “thunk” of the driver locking their car regardless of them being “black, white, male, or female.” Staples understands the world is dangerous and people have the right to fear those around them, however, he continues to endure discrimination. But I am the person making those judgements.
That it is reality and not just a concept based off of racism. Within these anecdotes Staples uses hyperbole to create suspense and kind of overstate the real issue at hand in order to show how terrible his position truly is. Such as in the opening sentence, “My first victim was a woman - white, well dressed, probably in her early twenties…(542)”. The woman is not an actual “victim” to any physical harm. Nothing happened to her except she feared for possibly her life.
Staples claims that at the time, “there seemed to be a discreet, uninflammatory distance” between the two of them. Staples quickly became aware that she did not feel the same way; she repeatedly looked back at Staples with a worried glance. Staples suggests that in her opinion, the tall, black man walking behind her was too close for comfort. Staples claims that the woman picked up her pace and that “within seconds she
Exemplarity, in the broadest sense, is system of precedents in Roman history that are passed down through generations to serve as guidance in the decisions of everyday life.
The revolutionary Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr, once described discrimination as “a hellbound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.” His point being that African Americans face racial discrimination on a daily basis. Brent Staples, being an African American living in America, expresses his view on the subject in his essay “Just Walk on By”, where he conveys the message of how fear is influenced by society's stereotypical and discriminating views of certain groups of people; his point is made clear through his sympathetic persona, descriptive diction, depressing tone, and many analogies. Staples sympathetic persona helps the reader feel and understand the racial problems that he experiences daily.
Staples utilizes the three main rhetorical devices, pathos, ethos, and logos all to give the reader an insight into the life of a black man in society. By using these rhetoric techniques, Staples can produce reactions from the reader and accomplish his goal of bringing the reader to his level and allow them to empathize with him. By being able to use these rhetorical techniques and pulling the reader into his piece, he can accomplish his overall goal of the piece and make the audience see that even though society claims against it, there is still racism today and that it is not obvious to us because it has become a part of our
These stereotypes are labels that evoke images of oppression, segregation and exploitation of minorities in America. Meanwhile reinforcing the dominance in a social hierarchy. The film Imitation of Life (1959) indicates the power behind stereotypes. It strongly depicts the relationship between a Black American woman, Annie Johnson