"The Indispensable Opposition" Rhetorical Anaylsis

Categories: Rhetoric

Essay, Pages 2 (403 words)

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Walter Lippmann, author of “The Indispensable Opposition” informs his audience on the importance of everyone having freedom of opinion in society. He persuades his audience through diction which gives his piece a specific tone, and the use of pronouns that familiarize himself with his audience. Lippmann’s diction sets the tone for his entire piece. The first example of this is located in the first paragraph, Lippmann says, “Thus, the defense of freedom of opinion tends to rest not on its substantial, beneficial, and indispensable consequences …” (Lippmann P.

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1) Lippmann gives the audience a sense of importance behind freedom of opinion when reading this. He does this through his word choice. Using three words that have similar definitions right after one another is putting emphasis on the urgent tone. The effect of giving his audience a feeling of urgency helps persuade them into thinking that the freedom of opinion is significant, and there must be a great deal of precautions taken to help preserve it.

Later in the piece, Lippmann uses the exact same setup of three tone words right next to one another in a single sentence. These words may have different meanings than the first examples, but they too have an effect on the audience.

Lippmann uses “magnanimous, noble, and unselfish” to give a generous tone when talking about our society. The author is trying to tell the audience that the only reason why “we” as a society fight for the freedom of opinion for each and every person is because we are generous people.

He wants to persuade the audience into thinking that this is wrong. We should be fighting for this freedom to help better everyone’s opinion including our own. The effect of this is that the audience may begin to understand and support the author’s purpose, and cause them to realize how we are fighting to uphold this freedom for the wrong reasons. The tone of this piece affects the audience immensely. Lippmann uses familiar pronouns that connect the audience and himself. In the first sentence of the fifth paragraph, Lippmann states, “We miss the whole point when we imagine that we tolerate the freedom of our political opponents as we tolerate a howling baby next door, as we put up with blasts from our neighbor’s because we are too peaceful…”

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Essay's Scoring Result: Average

Expert's Assessment

The essay effectively analyzes Walter Lippmann's "The Indispensable Opposition," demonstrating a grasp of rhetorical strategies such as diction and pronoun use. The discussion of Lippmann's tone and its impact on the audience is insightful, highlighting the urgency and generosity conveyed. However, there is room for improvement in sentence composition, clarity, and cohesion. The analysis could benefit from more nuanced exploration of Lippmann's argument and a smoother integration of quotes. Overall, the essay demonstrates competence but requires refinement for a more polished presentation.

How can you enhance this essay?

The essay would benefit from refining sentence structures to enhance clarity and coherence. Ensure seamless integration of quotes, expanding on their relevance to Lippmann's argument. Develop a nuanced exploration of Lippmann's perspective, delving into the implications of his ideas. Strengthen the thesis by explicitly stating the author's purpose and main points. Facilitate smoother transitions between paragraphs for a more cohesive flow. Attend to minor grammatical issues to elevate overall writing quality and readability. End with a thought-provoking statement that encourages readers to reflect on their own beliefs, fostering a deeper understanding of the essay's central themes. This will provide a strong, conclusive wrap-up, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.