Stupid White Men

Print Comment Essay- Expository Text-Stupid White Men

The expository text Stupid White Men (Michael Moore, 2002) uses emotive descriptions to manipulate readers to accept certain values and beliefs. Moore uses characterization, positioning readers to view certain people and groups negatively, and others positively. Characters are developed through the use of persuasive elements of construction in descriptions; this includes the types of information presented, persuasive language, structure, sarcasm and irony.

Michael Moore uses statistics and other facts as evidence for the opinions he provides; this positions readers to accept his opinions as facts. “The $250 billion the Pentagon plans to spend to build 2800 new Joint Strike Fighter planes is more than enough to pay the tuition of every college student in America” (pg170). This fact is used as evidence by Moore to prove his opinion, that the Bush administration is ignoring the education system and mis-using government revenue, is correct. The strong use of statistics and facts in the descriptions of issues positions readers to agree with the views promoted; as they are given credibility to make them more than just an opinion.

Anecdotes are used in a similar way to statistics; they provide proof for Moore’s opinions, while positioning readers to relate to Moore and sympathize with him. “When I was done I rushed out of the building because I did not want these people to see me cry…” (pg xvi). This extract is just one example from the introduction of the text which shows the use of an anecdote to emotionally manipulate readers to feel sympathy for Moore. The entire introduction is an anecdote about Moore’s struggle to publish the book, the problems which Moore faced and his unwillingness to give up, positions readers to view him as a victim and agree with his views because of the sympathy they are positioned to feel for him. The use of anecdotes in descriptions promotes social activism; emotionally manipulating readers to feel sympathy for Moore and feel guilt for doing nothing when this one man has done so much.

Persuasive language is used throughout the text to position readers to agree with the views promoted by Moore. “For once I’d like to walk onto an airplane and see it filled with only black passengers instead of a bunch of complaining white jerks who feel a sense of entitlement in demanding that I give up my lap so they can put their seat in it” (pg 67). The use of emotive words such as “jerks,” “complaining,” and “demanding” in the description of white people, in a common scenario, positions readers to view white people negatively. The language used in descriptions is full of values and connotations to position readers to associate certain people and groups with negative diction and others with positive diction.

Each chapter in the text is structured to position readers to see clear victims and perpetrators. Chapter five Idiot Nation begins by outlining the problem of the poor quality and low priority of the education in