Rhetorical Analysis Of Blink By Malcolm Gladwell

Over the course of millions of years, it is believed that the human brain evolved to become the intelligent machine that it is today. Decision making is one of many adaptations the human brain has made. . However, there are theories now that humans do not make all decisions in their conscious mind. Something known as the “adaptive unconscious” is thought to process and order data quickly so as make impulsive decisions without the brain even thinking. This can be identified when one gets a gut instinct. Yet, society has come to distrust this feeling. In his introduction to the novel, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell uses various forms of rhetoric such as similes, rhetorical questions, and personification, to argue his point that the the adaptive unconscious

A question is considered rhetorical when the answer is so simple or obvious that a response is unnecessary. . For instance, Gladwell writes, “when you walk out into the street and suddenly realize that a truck is bearing down on you, do you have time to think through all your options?” (19). The way this question is phrased hints that the answer is no. This type of phrasing also engages the reader’s thoughts into the piece, which provides an overall more relaxed and personal tone. An interesting point to bring up is that one makes quick assumptions when answering rhetorical questions in their mind. By placing them throughout his writing, Gladwell may have been playing a mind game with his audience. He got them to make fast, subconscious decisions themselves. In this case, it would show the reader first hand that these kinds of judgements are not inherently bad. Therefore, Gladwell was subtly providing an example within the readers themselves of how snap judgements are not always

In section three of the introduction to Blink, titled “A Different and Better World”, Gladwell delves into the importance of what his theory suggests. It is reiterated that people should begin to pay more attention to their instincts, and stress less about drawn out decisions. Gladwell even believes that “if we stopped scanning the horizon with our binoculars and began instead examining our own decision making and behavior through the most powerful of microscopes” that it would drastically change the way society functions. Something to note here is that this idea was not stated ordinarily or in a boring fashion; instead, Gladwell decides it would be more effective to personify the subject. Personification often adds new meaning to the overall message of a piece, particularly when done in such a way that it is profound and resonates throughout the audience. Not only does this aid the readers in comprehending the complex logic throughout the introduction, it also leaves the reader with a greater impression on the subject matter. Personification allows the reader to think about things in a new light, which Gladwell manipulates so as to display that his argument should be considered seriously. The horizon Gladwell describes represents the large, overarching themes and goals in life which are typically more focused on, while the symbol of the microscope suggests that