Week 5, Column 5 - "Pots and Jackpots"
SPEAKER - Written by Ross Douthat
- American
- Informed (up to date with American issues)
OCCASION - America's recent and rapid interest in gambling and marijuana
AUDIENCE - Involved Americans
PURPOSE - To discuss and analyze America's changing culture
SUBJECT - Casino gambling expansion and marijuana legalization
TONE - Critical - analyzes changes in America and their possible consequences
While anyone in the world can read journalist Ross Douthat's pieces, he focuses on a hot button American issue, which attracts a primarily American audience. Also, the issue of gambling and marijuana appeals to a more mature audience. This piece, along with the majority of his other pieces, reaches out to Americans involved in what is going on within the country. To fully understand his columns, the reader must know enough about the issue to have an opinion (or at least understand Douthat's opinion). While Douthat himself is a conservative Republican, he makes sure to mention the liberal point of view, even if he does mention it in a sarcastic way. His use of casual yet high diction makes for an even smaller audience of now mature, involved, AND intelligent Americans. Although Douthat's audience seems specific, by the end of it, whether you're mature, involved, intelligent, or American, you will understand the topic, have an opinion on it, and either completely loathe or absolutely adore him.
LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/opinion/sunday/douthat-pot-and-jackpots.html?ref=rossdouthat
- American
- Informed (up to date with American issues)
OCCASION - America's recent and rapid interest in gambling and marijuana
AUDIENCE - Involved Americans
PURPOSE - To discuss and analyze America's changing culture
SUBJECT - Casino gambling expansion and marijuana legalization
TONE - Critical - analyzes changes in America and their possible consequences
While anyone in the world can read journalist Ross Douthat's pieces, he focuses on a hot button American issue, which attracts a primarily American audience. Also, the issue of gambling and marijuana appeals to a more mature audience. This piece, along with the majority of his other pieces, reaches out to Americans involved in what is going on within the country. To fully understand his columns, the reader must know enough about the issue to have an opinion (or at least understand Douthat's opinion). While Douthat himself is a conservative Republican, he makes sure to mention the liberal point of view, even if he does mention it in a sarcastic way. His use of casual yet high diction makes for an even smaller audience of now mature, involved, AND intelligent Americans. Although Douthat's audience seems specific, by the end of it, whether you're mature, involved, intelligent, or American, you will understand the topic, have an opinion on it, and either completely loathe or absolutely adore him.
LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/opinion/sunday/douthat-pot-and-jackpots.html?ref=rossdouthat