Analysis Of Andrew Nikiforuk's 'Tarmageddon'

Canadian journalist, Andrew Nikiforuk, makes a connection the negative effects that tar sands have on Canada’s economy and environment, in his essay “Tarmageddon: Dirty oil is turning Canada into a corrupt petro-state.”Nikiforuk’s goal is to help his audience realize the political downfalls within Canada and its failed efforts to protect both citizen and environment. It is clear that Nikiforuk’s target audience are those who are well educated in both politics and the environment. His use of environmental and political jargon, makes evident that he want to pull in and inform his target audience. Nikiforuk is able to develop a critical and straightforward tone throughout his essay to connect the audience while strengthening his argument.

Nikiforuk demonstrates both extrinsic and intrinsic ethos appeals. The author is very …show more content…
Nikiforuk uses the appeal of pathos sparingly, but firmly. Continuously pricking at the patriotism of Canada, the author is able to pull in the audience. Again, he uses the strategy of comparison and repetition, as he constantly compares Canada to Saudi Arabia in the standing for who is superior. Nikiforuk mentions in paragraph 14 the Kyoto Protocol and how Canada was the only signatory that completely abandoned it’s target, making it sit very close to Saudi Arabia on the chart. Correspondingly, he states that Saudi Arabia’s talk at Copenhagen lasted longer than Canada. Taking a hit at Canadian pride, Nikiforuk is able to utilize his limited pathos to strongly affect his audience. Furthermore with the patriotism, he is also able to create a connection with the environmentalists. Emphasizing on the fact that the mines, tar sands and steam plants create major damage to the environment. Having pollution as such a huge issue, the author is able to make the direct connection to worldly problems and his