Bag Ban Bad For Freedom By Adam B. Summerss Summary

Adam B. Summers, in his essay Bag Ban Bad For Freedom and Environment, effectively utilizes numerous stylistic and literary devices that persuade the reader. Summers utilizes facts, disproves various counter arguments and uses logical and emotional reasoning to persuade the reader to agree to his claim. However, Summers’ argument falls short due to the lack of power, as he holds no highly esteemed position of power. This, in addition to his colloquialism, intimates that he is just a layman and tells the reader that the source is not to be trusted. Summers uses logical reasoning to argue his viewpoint. The bag ban would cost “$2 million in gross annual sales,” and “10,000 square feet of rental space,” for the affected grocery and convenience

He says “since banning plastic bags also means preventing their additional uses as trash bags and pooper scoopers, one unintended consequence of the plastic bag ban would likely be an increase in plastic bag purchases for these other purposes.” This claim makes the ban seem unnecessary. Along with the previous facts stating the negative effects on consumers, Summers convinces the reader to accept his claim. To emphasize the uselessness of the bill, Summers says “This is just what happened in Ireland in 2002...a tax imposed on shopping bags led to a 77% increase in the sale of plastic trash can liner bags.” The viewer will probably become hesitant and become void of most support towards the ban. Summers appeals to the reader’s emotions to gain further support in his argument. To do this he challenges the right of the government to impose this ban, saying that “environmentalists have every right to try and convince us, but they do not have the right to use government force to compel people to live the way they think is best.” By referring to the conflict at hand, the bag ban, as a right that should be granted to every individual, it causes the reader to wonder if the ban is lawful and just, and as a result deepens the distrust in this