Strategy in Fast Food Nation - Research Paper Example

number: Erick Schlosser’s Writing Strategy in Fast food nation In his book of Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal, Schlosser addresses the fast food culture in the county and as well as the supply chain that he argues results in food contamination. The fast food culture in the United States is a significant issue considering the fact that the obesity level in the country have been rising in the country at an alarming rate for the past one decade. However, obesity is not the only effect of fast foods addressed by Schlosser; numerous factors that have led to the growth of the culture and detailed consequences are also included in the book. This is what the author refers to as the The dark side of the all-American meal tackling issues related to the poor pay of farmers, distorted supply chains that result in food contamination among other relevant factors. In the process of analysing the subject matter, Schlosser applies unique writing strategies that not only improve the books efficiency but also create an entertaining reading for the audience. He exhibits straightforward reporting skills, use of simple language, personalization of the context through the use of first language and imagery to deliver a perfectly written and well research book. The first notable writing strategy used by Schlosser is the use of imagery. The author states the book with a clear description of the terrain and later on proceeds to use similar forms of descriptive writing throughout the book as a means of engaging his audience. The first use of imagery is in the introductory part where he describes the Cheyenne Mountain as being on the eastern slope of Colorado’s Front Range, rising steeply from the prairie and overlooking the city of Colorado Springs” (p. 9). In the next chapter, he delivers a vivid imagery of the process of buying fast food; a process familiar to most Americans. He writes that “Pull open the glass door, feel the rush of cool air, walk in, get on line, study the backlit color photographs above the counter, place your order, hand over a few dollars, watch teenagers in uniforms pushing various buttons, and moments later take hold of a plastic tray full of food wrapped in colored paper and cardboard” (p. 9). The two incidences of descriptive writing state above are very significant in the book since they provide the audience with a clear picture of the situation the author is grounding on for his arguments. Due to the effectiveness of such descriptive writing, it comes as no surprise that Stonehill uses a similar writing technique in his song, American Fast Foods from the gospel album Our Recollections. The song is about the health risks that are associated with the consumption of fast foods and Stonehill makes no hesitation in proving a clear description on how fast foods affect one’s health. He sings that “And were sucking up the sugar in a milkshake til we, slip into depression with a big headache, And our arteries are crying out, "Give us a break." (Stonehill, 1996)”. This imagery enables the audience picture the heart crying out, a process, needless to say, symbolic of heart problems. Other issues such as depression and headaches are also included in the effects addressed by the song. Through such descriptive language as that exhibited by Schlosser and Stonehill, the audience is engaged to the reading and this enhances the books intrigue which is necessary in keeping the audience glued to the book. This is necessary for anyone with the intent of passing a message of equal severity as Schlosser’s, a fact he understands too well. Another key writing strategy applied by Schlosser is a direct approach to the details and the use of simple language. In comparison, both of Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal and is other book Chew on This: Everything You Dont Want to Know About Fast Food where he works with Charles Wilson, the language applied is simple and straight to the point. This straightforward writing strategy applied by Schlosser in both accounts is highly effective in message delivery. Instead of using complicated figurative language that are bias to the audience, Schlosser applies the use of simple works that are easily interpreted by the readers. In both accounts, Schlosser proves that he reckons the importance of a simple and a straightforward approach in his writing since majority of the audience are mainly focused on the information contained in the book. Unlike Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal which is meant for the general population, Chew on This: Everything You Dont Want to Know About Fast Food is addressed to a specific audience comprised of children and young adults. This is because the effects of the fast food culture mainly affects this age group more in comparison to the rest of the population. In fact, the highest cases of obesity levels caused by the overconsumption of fast food are most prevalent among children in the United States. The second book addresses how the fast food industry mainly targets kids since it cannot survive without them. Schlosser and Wilson state that kids are the industry’s largest consumers and granted this fact, they set out to expose the haunting truth behind fast foods. However, Fast food nation takes more of a report outline, explaining and analysing the effects of fast foods on the general population, but Chew on This on the other hand is more of an investigative book. It digs into the harmful components and processes that characterise the production of fast foods and since the target audience of the latter is mainly kids, the entertainment level is higher than Schlosser initial book. This is understandably influenced by the audience. Although both books contain a historical perspective regarding the development of the, the reader is quickly introduced to the main theses which is related to the negative effect of fast food. This straightforward approach also serves to increase the pace of the novels. In Chew on This for example, the authors write startling facts regarding fast food; a single fast food hamburger may contain meat from hundreds/thousands of cows while a single can of soda equals ten teaspoons of sugar among other facts. Similarly, Fast food nation also utilizes such troubling facts that provide the audience with straightforward hard evidence whilst making the book interesting in the process. Such kind of straightforward approach validates the importance of the issues discussed in the book; it makes the reader want to read more but at the same time makes them understand that reason why fast food are being discouraged. This approach is very effective in message delivery, which is the key objective for both books. Suter’s publication The Impact of Fast Food on Local Community also takes a direct approach as the one used by Schlosser in both books. The publication is conveniently divided in sections such as “Fast Food and Obesity”, “Fast Food in America: Low Wages” among other topics each addressing a specific issue. This makes it easier for the audience to refer the specific subject area where they hold the maximum interest. The straightforward approach used by Suter also incorporates statistical data. For instance, he writes that “In 1991, 1 in every 8 adults was obese; in 1999, 1 in every 5 adults was obese, which shows how America is becoming more obese all of the time” (p. 4). This closely resembles Schlosser approach and as it can be seen from the similarity in both three texts, the incorporation of facts through a straightforward approach is necessary in addressing widespread issues such as the fast food culture. This is because the approach provides the reader with a clear picture of the situation on ground before the author advances to state his arguments. In Wartman’s web post, The American Fast Food Syndrome regarding the American fast food culture, she speaks in first person, using terms such as “I’m often met”, “one of my clients told me” among others, she creates an environment where her readers can relate to her. This personalization of issues related to fast foods is also exhibited in Fast food nation. Wartman starts her post by sharing her personal experiences with the readers, explaining how different clients react to the fast food topic. After the introduction, she proceeds to analyse the cause of the developing culture through providing facts and giving logical arguments. Schlosser also applies a similar type of writing technique, occasionally using first persons in issues that he deems sensitive to the readers. For example, there is a section entitled “what we eat”. This makes the reader relate to the author and just like Wartman, it provides the reader with the courage that they are not in the issue alone. And as both authors campaign for a change in the culture, acceptance is the first step and the use of such personal language makes it easier for the audience to accept that they truly have the problems and granted the effects, they need to change their norm. However, the simplistic writing and straightforward writing is not reflected in the movie adoption of Schlosser’s book, Fast Food Nation (Linklater et. al, 2007). The movie instead uses a plot to reflect the issues discussed in the book. It is about a fast food company executive who is sent out to investigate claims of E. coli bacterial attack on the company’s meat supply and as he goes through his investigation, the viewers get a clear reflection of the conditions of meat processing units. Other issues related to fast food are similarly addressed using dramatization. Such representation is very effective since it creates an environment to which the viewer can relate to unlike the book which merely takes the form of a report. As already stated earlier, majority of those affected by fast foods are kids and writing a report makes it difficult for them to read through the information. Instead, characterization of the issues plays a key role since as they follow the narrative’s plot of the movie, they learn the issues much more effectively than when presented without the characters and drama. Schlosser, through his book Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal exploits a number of writing strategies. Through the use of descriptive analogies, straightforward approach coupled with facts, simple language and the first person address, Schlosser effectively composes a book worth reading. The book’s efficiency in message delivery is also commendable considering the perfect mix of entertainment and information. Through the use of simple language and diction, Schlosser ensures that the book is an easy read that most of his audience can comprehend easily without strain. The first person address evokes a feeling of relatedness among the readers which is important considering the subject that the book is centred on and while the straightforward approach is effective to a certain extent in delivering the author’s arguments, it fall short when compared to the film adaptation of the book. This is because the viewers can easily relate to the drama as compared to the book which takes a report form. Lastly, the use of descriptive language Schlosser enables the readers create visual representation of the arguments and situations presented. The overall application of these strategies makes for a highly effective book that is effective in its purpose in campaigning for change of the American fast food culture. Works cited Linklater, Richard, Eric Schlosser, Jeremy Thomas, Malcolm McLaren, Patricia Arquette, Bobby Cannavale, Paul Dano, Luis Guzmán, Ethan Hawke, Ashley Johnson, Greg Kinnear, Kris Kristofferson, Avril Lavigne, Esai Morales, Moreno C. Sandino, Lou T. Pucci, Ana C. Talancón, Wilmer Valderrama, Bruce Willis, Lee Daniel, Sandra Adair, and Eric Schlosser. Fast Food Nation. Beverly Hills, Calif: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2007. Fast Food Nation is a film adaptation of the book Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal by Schlosser but unlike the book, it takes a dramatical reperentation. The main character is the executive of a fast food company who goes out on an investigative mission. Through his journey, the views get a clear picture of the issues discussed by Schlosser in the book. Schlosser, Eric, and Charles Wilson. Chew on This: Everything You Dont Want to Know About Fast Food. Boston [Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co, 2006. Print. This book by Schlosser in collaboration with Wilson is an extension of the earlier book, Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal. It specifically addresses the widespread consumption of fast food among kids and the specific effects it has on them. This is opposed to Schlosser’s book which addressed the general population with no specificity. Schlosser, Eric. Fast food nation: The dark side of the all-American meal. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. In this book, Schlosser compiles an investigative report starting from the growth of the fast food industry in the country, as well as globally, and continues to tackle the consequences of its growth. He applies different writing strategies such as straightforward approach, simple diction, and descriptive language to pass on the intended information to his audience. Stonehill, Randy. American Fast Foods. Our Recollections. Nashville, TN: Word, 1996. Sound recording. The song by Stonehill is amongst the few poetic expressions related to obesity. It specifically speaks of the negative health effects of fast food consumption as it argues for better habits and a change from the fast food culture. Suter, Pete. "The Impact of Fast Food on Local Community." This is a research compilation on fast food and tackles key aspects such as the relationship between fast food and obesity, low wages as well as its benefits to the individual. In the research, Suter incorporates a similar strategic writing approach as that exhibited by Schlosser in his books and is thus worthy of comparison in analysing the efficiency of Schlosser’s work. Wartman, Kristin. The American Fast Food Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/01/13-10 on 11th May, 2014. The web publication by Wartman also addresses the health effects of fast food consumption. Wartman is a professional nutritionist who shares her experiences with the readers and makes an argument for a change in the fast food culture currently widespread in the country. She also analyses the role of advertising in the growth of the culture. Read More