Rhetorical Analysis
Eli Paul
AP Lang Hour 2
Mrs. Gleason
12/5/2014
I have realized that the gym is an area to critique and enhance oneself to become more acceptable in today’s time in society by working out, taking supplements, and hoping for others’ approvals. By reading “Against Exercise”, you will understand how Mark Greif criticises the weightroom and the culture of fitness. In this essay Mark Greif includes his views on fitness and exercise, historical references, and colorful imagery to convey the message that exercise is for acceptance in society, not reasons for your own selfapproval. Mark Greif uses ethos to support his ideas and beliefs, the author’s passion, personal experience, and repetition makes a very wellworded and compelling argument. Greif uses his knowledge of the evolution of fitness and exercise machines to trigger the reader’s emotions in hopes of changing their views on self acceptance from his personal experiences and views.
Mark Greif uses grossing imagery to sympathize with the nonexerciser, while mocking the gym goer throughout his article to try and repel the reader to exercise. “The person who does not exercise, in our current conception is, a slow suicide.¨ (66) Mark Greif seems to be very sarcastic with his quotes on society’s view on exercise, Greif may or may not be an avid exerciser, but he understands the labels that are given to the unfit population. Greif states in the beginning of his second paragraph, “Modern exercise makes you acknowledge the machine operating inside yourself.” (62) By this quote, I believe that he is trying to explain that if you are not exercising, the socalled machine inside yourself, it is not up to par and lacking the finesse to help you become a wellrounded person. If you are a common face to see at the gym, your “machine” is in tip top shape, and I believe this “machine” is your emotional morale. He is
apologetic to those scorned for their failure to be responsible about their
AP Lang Hour 2
Mrs. Gleason
12/5/2014
I have realized that the gym is an area to critique and enhance oneself to become more acceptable in today’s time in society by working out, taking supplements, and hoping for others’ approvals. By reading “Against Exercise”, you will understand how Mark Greif criticises the weightroom and the culture of fitness. In this essay Mark Greif includes his views on fitness and exercise, historical references, and colorful imagery to convey the message that exercise is for acceptance in society, not reasons for your own selfapproval. Mark Greif uses ethos to support his ideas and beliefs, the author’s passion, personal experience, and repetition makes a very wellworded and compelling argument. Greif uses his knowledge of the evolution of fitness and exercise machines to trigger the reader’s emotions in hopes of changing their views on self acceptance from his personal experiences and views.
Mark Greif uses grossing imagery to sympathize with the nonexerciser, while mocking the gym goer throughout his article to try and repel the reader to exercise. “The person who does not exercise, in our current conception is, a slow suicide.¨ (66) Mark Greif seems to be very sarcastic with his quotes on society’s view on exercise, Greif may or may not be an avid exerciser, but he understands the labels that are given to the unfit population. Greif states in the beginning of his second paragraph, “Modern exercise makes you acknowledge the machine operating inside yourself.” (62) By this quote, I believe that he is trying to explain that if you are not exercising, the socalled machine inside yourself, it is not up to par and lacking the finesse to help you become a wellrounded person. If you are a common face to see at the gym, your “machine” is in tip top shape, and I believe this “machine” is your emotional morale. He is
apologetic to those scorned for their failure to be responsible about their