Techniques That Create a Great Effect in Literature: Evaluating "A Talk to Teachers" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day" Dayton Witouski 11th Grade

One of the most influential devices since the primordial times has been literature. Books, essays, journals and articles are just a few of the things used to gain knowledge. But, what makes these elements so effective? As a contemporary American high school student, I have analyzed and detected several texts that are effective and many of which that may be more than less, ineffective. Both James Baldwin’s “A Talk to Teachers” and David Sedaris’ “Me Talk Pretty One Day” are very much operative in relating to their audience by appealing to pathos, however, Baldwin’s imperative style (rather than Sedaris’ comical style) allows his speech to be much more potent.

Both James Baldwin and David Sedaris are quite well-known writers. Although their styles are very different, nearly opposite, “A Talk To Teachers” and “Me Talk Pretty One Day” possess a few similar characteristics. Sedaris’ memoir reflects on a past experience of when he went to Paris, France to learn French. The story is very comical and satiric even though the content is rather solemn. Baldwin’s speech is a demanding one that encourages black people to take a stand for equal rights; his use of strong and urgent diction helps him get his point across. One of the most...