Let's Effectively Intertextualize "Going Green"

David Biello’s The Green Apple is a fine example of a persuasive and effective call to awareness. The last decade has been littered with “Green” campaigns and conditioned Audiences from offensive statistics. The rhetorical situation arises with the emergence of the PlaNYC program. Though global warming and the resources used to make electricity are a National- and Global- problem Biello only focuses on New York City. This significantly increases the chances of successfully impressing his audience. According to Grant- Davie’s definition; the audience is the inhabitants of New York City and its surroundings, lawmakers (City and State level), and solar energy companies.

            Biello’s exigence is what separates his argument from the hundreds of others. He uses the year 2100 to create sense of urgency as opposed to citing the number of fish that die each year due to sewage runoff. Grant Davie states that the writer to see a opportunity to change reality through rhetoric. Using the year 2100 successfully addresses the issue because it is a reasonable measure. Reading about how New York City will be in the year 2500 doesn’t create a convincing call to action.

            The pieces’ style is informal in aims to connect with its audience. The citations from official government agencies help establish reputability and are supported by Bazerman’s third basic concept of using other texts as background, support, and contrast. The techniques of Intertextual Representation state that “using language and forms that seem to echo certain ways of communication, discussions among other people, types of documents” is essential in intertextuality (Bazerman 88). Biello’s discourse on climate change, urban planning, and scientific facts connects directly to the audience. Reflecting on these readings through the lenses of Bazerman and Grant- Davie can help readers see how meaning is constructed. Grant-Davie is interested looks at timeliness while Bazerman helps us see what facts should be used to support statements. 

Works Cited

Bazerman, Charles. Intertextuality: How Texts Rely on Other Texts'. University of California, Santa Barbara, Print.