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Alice Wong The Last Straw Rhetorical Analysis

799 Words4 Pages

Alice Wong's essay, "The Last Straw," is a persuasive piece that tackles the issue of ableism and disability discrimination in society. Throughout her essay, Wong skillfully employs various rhetorical elements to convey her argument and convince readers of the pressing need for change. Wong utilizes vivid imagery, emotional appeals, and logical reasoning to present a compelling case for actively fighting against ableism. By painting a vivid picture of disability discrimination, Wong aims to engage her audience and encourage them to join her in advocating for change. The essay analyzes the rhetorical devices and strategies employed by Wong in "The Last Straw" to explore how she effectively uses rhetoric and rhetorical appeals to engage her audience …show more content…

As the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, she possesses a strong voice in the disability community and utilizes her platform to advocate for change. The essay highlights Wong's use of first-person pronouns, indicating that she is speaking from her perspective and employing emotional language to appeal to the audience's empathy and concern. By sharing her personal experiences and anecdotes, Wong establishes her credibility and aims to gain readers' trust, persuading them to take her argument seriously. Wong employs rhetorical appeals and persuasive strategies to appeal to the audience's emotions, values, and beliefs. Through her work with the Disability Visibility Project and editing of the book Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People, she establishes the ethos and the credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker or writer. She also relies on everyday experiences to build evidence for her arguments, making her relatable and trustworthy to readers. Using emotions to persuade the audience, pathos is another rhetorical appeal Wong …show more content…

By showing how discrimination, exclusion, and inequality are the consequences of such attitudes, Wong aims to educate and empower readers about disability rights and activism. Wong's audience includes a broad range of individuals, including disabled people, disability activists, advocates, scholars, policymakers, and non-disabled individuals interested in disability rights and inclusion. The essay mainly targets non-disabled individuals who may be less familiar with disability issues. It offers insights into the experiences and struggles of disabled people and guides how non-disabled individuals can be allies in the fight for disability justice. It challenges ableist attitudes and assumptions prevalent in society and encourages readers to reconsider their views on disability. The essay addresses the ongoing struggle for disability rights and inclusion in American society. Wong explores the intersection of disability with other social identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class. The title, "The Last Straw," symbolizes the breaking point that disabled people have reached after enduring centuries of discrimination and

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