Freakonomics Rhetorical Analysis

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Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner examines how incentives are the driving force of human behavior. The book makes a connection between incentives and the economy; specifically how these motivations cause a shift in the financial system. The authors of this text are able to support their argument that this connection is feasible through the use of rhetorical questions, juxtaposition, anecdotes, and an inquisitive tone. In order to prove that incentives- “the cornerstone[s] of modern life” (13)- and behavioral patterns in society affect the economy, Levitt and Dubner present a wide variety of economic topics and issues and connect all those subjects back to the single cause of human motives. The authors of Freakonomics are able to create the connection between incentives and the economy through the use of logos; they introduce the …show more content…
Even with the variety of issues that are discussed in the book, the use of juxtaposition allows those topics to be compared closely: “Sumo wrestlers, school teachers… all cheat” (45). Although they are very different groups of people, juxtaposition proves that sumo wrestlers and school teachers are both led by incentives to cheat; a conclusion that helps to fulfill the authors’ objective of proving that incentives are a driving force for all humans. Levitt and Dubner utilize anecdotes in every part of the book to give detailed descriptions on each of the economic topics discussed. All these brief descriptions connect back to the subject of incentives and employ an inquisitive tone due to the questioning nature of their structure. With the use of juxtaposition and detailed anecdotes, the authors of Freakonomics are able to connect all the different issues discussed with an underlying theme and

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