Stephen King On Writing Rhetorical Analysis

According to Lemony Snicket, “[You should] never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them” and writer Stephen King presumably would agree. In On Writing, pages one forty-seven through one fifty, King uses diction, critical and ardent tones and figurative language, to highlight the significance of reading and how it benefits a writer. King utilizes diction to persuade aspiring writers to read regularly. He writes, “I take a book with me everywhere I go, and find there are all sorts of opportunities to dip in.” (147) “Waiting rooms were made for books—of course! But so are theater lobbies before the show, long and boring checkout line and everyone’s favorite, the john.” (147) King uses an informal diction to advocate frequent reading.

King reveals that reading helps writers know what is”fresh” and what have already be seen, the slang “fresh” sustains the informality of the writing. King’s uses a critical tone to address society’s attachment to television. He writes, “. . . TV—while working out or anywhere else—really is the last thing an aspiring writer needs.” (148). “Reading takes time and the glass teat takes too much of it.” (148). King references The Glass Teat, a book by Harlan Ellison consisting of television reviews and critical essays. In a candid and critical tone, he suggests that aspiring writers turn off the “endless quacking box” and make a productive use of their time (148). The onomatopoeia “quacking” consequently, adds emphasis to his frustration. In an ardent tone, King reminds writers that passion is a necessity. He writes, “The sort of strenuous reading and writing program I advocate—four to six hours a day, every day—will not seem strenuous if you really enjoy doing these things and have an aptitude for them” (150). “When you find something at which you are talented, you do it (whatever it is) until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out