In the passage College Pressures by William Zinsser, he talks about college students and all the pressure they face that not only affect their education, but their personal life as well. In the text Zinsser identifies four kinds of pressure: Economic pressure, Parental pressure, Peer-pressure, and Self induced pressure. Zinsser’s claims about the college pressures students face are very accurate and relatable, not to just one student or an abundance of students… but all college students. College puts pressures on anyone. Some experience less pressures than others, for example some might experience peer-pressure while others don’t experience peer pressure because they are the individuals putting the pressure on others. On the other hand some
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He also wants to show how pressure is common amongst all college students; no matter what college they attend or what time period they attend college. Students from previous years and todays students face the same pressures. Nothing changes except maybe the fact of the pressures getting worse since the economy has gotten worse over the years. In the passage he states, “They live in a brutal economy. Tuition, room, and board at most private colleges now comes to at least $7,000, not counting books and fees… the remainder keeps getting swallowed by the cruel costs-higher every year-of just opening the doors.” (Zinsser 399). As the years go on prices just get higher and so does the economic pressures of students. Zinsser’s is choosing his audience to be everyone besides college students, because college students already know all the pressures and stress they get put through and have to deal with everyday. Zinsser states, “We should all be worried…” (404). Meaning he feels everyone should be aware of what is going on and how all these aspects of pressure are affecting students and how well they perform.
Zinsser uses “gallows humor” throughout the passage; one example is in the beginning of the passage when it says: “Hey, Carlos, good news! I’ve got mononucleosis” it shows how the sickness of the student is spoken of sort of like a joke. Zinsser uses some old time terms in his piece, such as “wretched supplicants” which is what he uses to describe the students. He uses this type of language to emphasize his
He also wants to show how pressure is common amongst all college students; no matter what college they attend or what time period they attend college. Students from previous years and todays students face the same pressures. Nothing changes except maybe the fact of the pressures getting worse since the economy has gotten worse over the years. In the passage he states, “They live in a brutal economy. Tuition, room, and board at most private colleges now comes to at least $7,000, not counting books and fees… the remainder keeps getting swallowed by the cruel costs-higher every year-of just opening the doors.” (Zinsser 399). As the years go on prices just get higher and so does the economic pressures of students. Zinsser’s is choosing his audience to be everyone besides college students, because college students already know all the pressures and stress they get put through and have to deal with everyday. Zinsser states, “We should all be worried…” (404). Meaning he feels everyone should be aware of what is going on and how all these aspects of pressure are affecting students and how well they perform.
Zinsser uses “gallows humor” throughout the passage; one example is in the beginning of the passage when it says: “Hey, Carlos, good news! I’ve got mononucleosis” it shows how the sickness of the student is spoken of sort of like a joke. Zinsser uses some old time terms in his piece, such as “wretched supplicants” which is what he uses to describe the students. He uses this type of language to emphasize his