A Rhetorical Analysis Of The New Greatest Generation By Joel Stein

In the 2013 Time article "The New Greatest Generation," Joel Stein claims that "millennials' perceived entitlement isn't a result of overprotection but an adaptation to a world of abundance"(31). Stein's organizational style appeals to readers because he arranges the article in a way that lures the reader's attention in the beginning, so he can later propose a new outlook. Stein begins describing characteristics of millennials unfavorably in order to overcome those negative characteristics and offer a new, positive perspective. The author initially establishes a negative attitude towards millennials to appeal to the feelings of the older, adult generations. Stein’s structure successfully acknowledges the negative views, for the purpose of

He appeals to most reader's perspective by addressing millennials as "lazy, entitled, selfish, and shallow" (28). Initially, many readers will agree with Stein because he reinforces their point of view, prompting readers to proceed with a supportive attitude. Stein continues by saying technology has only “exacerbated” (28) selfishness within millennials. Many older generations will continue supporting Stein’s negative portrayal of millennials because most only see how millennials use technology with social media, which provides a stage on which people may appear to be more self-centered than they really are. In the past, only immediate family would see that selfishness, yet they would understand that it is only on occasions. Stein begins the article patronizing millennials in order to relate back to the initial traits but in a positive way as he approaches the middle of the article. Stein succeeds by bringing the readers through a process, allowing them to be in agreement with him, so he can later overcome the negative traits previously

Stein assists in helping the readers understand that millennials have "just mutated to adapt to their environment"(31) by providing quotes and examples, even of people who may be a part of the older generations. This helps readers acknowledge there has been a change within technology, which millennials have had alongside them their entire lives. Stein points out: "Imagine being used to that technology your whole life and having to sit through algebra"(32). Although millennials seem to be on their phones a great deal, they have not been taught to do otherwise. Millennials did not grow up "trapping their friends in houses to watch their terrible vacation slideshows"(32); they grew up "watching reality-TV shows"(30) and "interacting all day but almost entirely through a screen"(29). Older generations did not have the technology millennials can access today, which causes them to have behaved differently from millennials. Generation X and the Baby Boomers would have been much different growing up if the technology available to millennials were available to them. The author quotes Scott Hess arguing, “Can you imagine if the boomers had YouTube, how narcissistic they would've seemed?”(qtd. in Stein 32). By allowing the readers to think about what they would have been like growing up with the technology millennials have, Stein offers