from Silent Spring Rhetorical Analysis

two hundred chemicals created to improve the biologic experience for insects

the writer’s euphemism for the chemical Strontium 90

a barrage of poisons regularly unleashed upon the surface of the earth

chemicals that are proven to only harm specific “bad” insects

nonselective chemicals that have the power to evolve naturally

The writer appears to be disinterested about the use of chemicals in day-to-day life.

The writer expresses calmness about the use of chemicals in the environment.

The writer demonstrates an attitude of hopefulness about what can be done about chemicals in the environment.

The writer conveys a sense of bitterness and anger about chemicals in the environment.

The writer projects a sense of urgency and distress about chemicals in the environment.

passionate and concerned individual with deep scientific knowledge

speculative and reserved individual who explores the potential for disaster

gritty and blunt news journalist bent on taking down chemical companies

powerful and eloquent witness to the desecration of the animal life around her

disgruntled and bitter amateur naturalist determined to ban all synthetic chemicals

encourage the reader to adopt an attitude of sensitivity toward the environment

support the writer’s point that humanity cannot do anything to aid the environment

celebrate the specific historical moment when humans began shaping the world

provide contrast to the preceding situation, where nature shaped living things

indicate the time span needed for a species to reach environmental dominance

birds develop a serious vocal condition where they can no longer make a single sound and the environment will be less enjoyable as a result of these changes

other species, including birds, are deeply and irreversibly affected by the human-created changes to their environments, and many die as a result of these changes

poetry of the natural world will begin to disappear as the use of chemicals continues and human art and literature will suffer as a result of these changes

beauty and music present in the forests is fading as Strontium 90 decimates all life, and human life on earth is threatened as a result of these changes

birds experience a momentary lull in song, having been temporarily disrupted by consuming the chemicals that humans are using on their habitats

living tissues and bones

a string of evil events

devils unknowingly created by humanity

poisoned, once pure wells

a combination of wind and sun

compare pollution to the destruction of living tissues

reiterate the writer’s claim that chemicals are sinister

concede that it will be years before the effects of pollution are realized

appeal to the emotions of the audience

offer a systematic pattern of logic to present factual information

Humans can be thoughtless and selfish; the results can be deadly.

Humanity’s disregard for the natural world can result in violence to the Earth and its living beings.

Humanity has great power to both destroy and redeem the flora and fauna of the natural world.

Humanity’s actions toward the environment can be both intentional and cruel.

Humanity is currently taking deliberate actions to restore the Earth and reverse environmental trends.

The chemicals are too similar to natural elements, causing confusion in adaptation.

The rate of introduction of new chemicals is too rapid for natural adaptation.

The chemicals are designed to specifically target and eliminate pests.

The chemicals are only harmful to non-human species.

The chemicals are absorbed too quickly by the environment.

Humans have always lived in harmony with the environment.

The environment has become more resilient to human activities.

Human activities have drastically altered the environment in a short time.

The environment is slowly adapting to human-induced changes.

Human influence on the environment is negligible.