Reginald MacDougall
In response to the decline in eligible voters who vote, Reginald Macdougall writes an article to persuade his audience that voting is a civic obligation. He does this by using repetition, appealing to nostalgia, and providing a strong and supporting example.
First of all, MacDougall uses repetition to emphasize on how few people voted. Throughout this piece, he will constantly mention "two-thirds" didn't vote. For example, when he speculates why many didn't vote, he words it as such, "When two-thirds of the electorate -- two-thirds of us --cannot be bothered to vote..." In the same sentence, he says "two thirds" twice. This helps catch his audiences' attention and create a sense of guilt about how most of them could've voted but they didn't. This guilt helps persuade his audience.
Secondly, MacDougall appeals to nostalgia. After mentioning how the vast majority of people don't vote, he talks the American Revolution. He states that voting, "is a right that people have fought and died for." With this, the audience is reminded of the key thing that separates the U.S. from other countries; voting. MacDougall wants his audience to realize that if we don't utilize the right to vote, then all the struggle many people died for would be in vain. This nostalgia is persuasive.
Lastly, MacDougall provides a really strong and supportive example. He mentions his own father who had an excuse not to vote because of his surgery on election day. However, after setting up expectations with the audience, he proves them wrong by talking about how his father, "obtained an absentee ballot and voted anyways before the election." After this, Macdougall adds on, "So the man whose chest was cut open yesterday while polls were open voted anyways." This example shows the dedication of a normal person adamant to vote and help steer the course of American society. MacDougall hopes that, with this, his audience realizes that if his father could do it, then they can too.
In conclusion, MacDougall is able to persuade his audience through his emphasis on how few people voted, appeal to nostalgia, and use of a strong and supportive example.
First of all, MacDougall uses repetition to emphasize on how few people voted. Throughout this piece, he will constantly mention "two-thirds" didn't vote. For example, when he speculates why many didn't vote, he words it as such, "When two-thirds of the electorate -- two-thirds of us --cannot be bothered to vote..." In the same sentence, he says "two thirds" twice. This helps catch his audiences' attention and create a sense of guilt about how most of them could've voted but they didn't. This guilt helps persuade his audience.
Secondly, MacDougall appeals to nostalgia. After mentioning how the vast majority of people don't vote, he talks the American Revolution. He states that voting, "is a right that people have fought and died for." With this, the audience is reminded of the key thing that separates the U.S. from other countries; voting. MacDougall wants his audience to realize that if we don't utilize the right to vote, then all the struggle many people died for would be in vain. This nostalgia is persuasive.
Lastly, MacDougall provides a really strong and supportive example. He mentions his own father who had an excuse not to vote because of his surgery on election day. However, after setting up expectations with the audience, he proves them wrong by talking about how his father, "obtained an absentee ballot and voted anyways before the election." After this, Macdougall adds on, "So the man whose chest was cut open yesterday while polls were open voted anyways." This example shows the dedication of a normal person adamant to vote and help steer the course of American society. MacDougall hopes that, with this, his audience realizes that if his father could do it, then they can too.
In conclusion, MacDougall is able to persuade his audience through his emphasis on how few people voted, appeal to nostalgia, and use of a strong and supportive example.
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