Editorial Analysis Essay

1. An Argument is Addressed to a Specific Audience at a Particular Time Recently two farms in Iowa had to perform a massive recall in eggs due to a salmonella poisoning from contaminated feed. The poisoning has caused the two companies to recall more than half a billion eggs, and has made about 1,500 people ill. Now, the companies are claiming that they are committed to safety and that it is up to the consumer of the eggs to fully cook the eggs before eating. This argument is addressed to egg consumers raising awareness that farm CEO’s are overlooking safety procedures due to their cost. The editorial addresses the FDA of having a poor history of inspecting food providers, and ignoring what they find. Anyone purchasing not only eggs but food from normally trusted farms is included in the editorials audience portion. Argument Wants Something From Its Audience This article does not specially call its audience to action, however it does raise awareness in its readers. The article reminds its readers of other slip-up’s from the FDA’s poor inspection quality and limited action to reduce the occurrences of poisoning. The article suggests that broader vaccination of chickens would help the issue as well as a food safety bill. An Argument Gives Its Audience Reasons for What it Wants Brought up in the article are several other examples of overlooked issues causing harm on citizens due to financial cutbacks or careless inspection. The explosion of a well in the Gulf of Mexico killing 11, an explosion of another mine in West Virginia killing 29, and the Peanut Corp. of America killing nine and sickening 700 are all reasons for the audience to be aware of what is happening in â€Å"trusted† companies and for action to be taken within the FDA and the companies themselves regarding safety. Not All the Reasons Are Stated Openly. The writer here assumes that the reader has been following the recent poisonings and harm to citizens due to poor inspection, and never calls the reader to any specific action. He only provides a recent history of what has happened, then proposes a list of solutions. He never blatantly says that if we do not rise to action more and more people will die. He lets the reader figure that out through his facts and data. The audience must complete the argument for the arguer based on the facts provided. Arguments Are Supported by Calling on Readers’ Attitudes and Feelings By providing so many examples of sickness and death, the article allows the reader to experience many negative emotions towards the neglect of the safety of companies that it supports its own argument within the reader. The reader will become concerned with the safety of him/herself, as well as his/her family and form the opinion in favor of the writer. 6. The Source of the Argument Matters USA today is a well-known and highly read paper not only by American citizens but by international ones as well. Many people with families read the paper, therefore making it appropriate to address to its audience. Everyone who reads this paper also consumes food, also providing the perfect audience. The source is highly credible through the paper and it also provides a link to the opposing argument, illustrating that the paper is not biased. A Counterargument is Always in the Background Provided on the page are links to information and articles regarding the counterargument that the farms are committed to safety and that it is up to the consumer to cook the eggs fully before eating. Any claim regarding the FDA or CEO’s inspecting their farms and companies provides a counterargument.