Rhetorical Analysis: 'Kid Kustomers'
Leah Psomas
English 1101-92
Professor Amy Sandefur
November 27, 2014
Rhetorical Essay on “Kid Kustomers”
Eric Schlosser wrote a book called Fast Food Nation in 2001. “Kid Kustomers” was a chapter in Schlosser’s book where he aimed to inform the readers about businesses using their advertisements to target children. By citing credible sources, using studies and statistics, applying emotional appeal, and using good word choice Schlosser created a strong essay.
“Kid Kustomers” is about the businesses using their advertisements to target children from as early as age 2 (Pg.520). It all began in the 1980’s because parents began to feel guilty for not being able to spend as much time with their children since they work (Pg.519). Businesses took …show more content…
The fact that he is talking about how these big businesses are targeting are younger generations is an emotional appeal in itself. I think it sends off a feeling of helplessness to parents because these advertisements are everywhere and you cannot shield your child from it. These businesses are using a method that they call “cradle-to-grave” which means that if the business gets you hooked on buying it as a kid, you will most likely buy it for the rest of your life (Pg.520). If this does occur, you will also be raising your child to think the same way and it becomes a generational cycle. This definitely appeals to an emotion of worry. If a business can get us that dependent on a product, they can almost manipulate us and our money. He also mentions that this day in generation, a child can recognize a brands logo before they can even recognize their name (520). This just shows how dependent our generation has become with material objects. In the 1990’s McDonalds was allowed to survey kids with some very personal questions such as their city and zip code and didn’t even ask for parental approval (Pg.523). I feel like this is an emotional feeling of again helplessness. You can’t be monitoring your child all the time, filling this out for the wrong person could put their child in harm’s
English 1101-92
Professor Amy Sandefur
November 27, 2014
Rhetorical Essay on “Kid Kustomers”
Eric Schlosser wrote a book called Fast Food Nation in 2001. “Kid Kustomers” was a chapter in Schlosser’s book where he aimed to inform the readers about businesses using their advertisements to target children. By citing credible sources, using studies and statistics, applying emotional appeal, and using good word choice Schlosser created a strong essay.
“Kid Kustomers” is about the businesses using their advertisements to target children from as early as age 2 (Pg.520). It all began in the 1980’s because parents began to feel guilty for not being able to spend as much time with their children since they work (Pg.519). Businesses took …show more content…
The fact that he is talking about how these big businesses are targeting are younger generations is an emotional appeal in itself. I think it sends off a feeling of helplessness to parents because these advertisements are everywhere and you cannot shield your child from it. These businesses are using a method that they call “cradle-to-grave” which means that if the business gets you hooked on buying it as a kid, you will most likely buy it for the rest of your life (Pg.520). If this does occur, you will also be raising your child to think the same way and it becomes a generational cycle. This definitely appeals to an emotion of worry. If a business can get us that dependent on a product, they can almost manipulate us and our money. He also mentions that this day in generation, a child can recognize a brands logo before they can even recognize their name (520). This just shows how dependent our generation has become with material objects. In the 1990’s McDonalds was allowed to survey kids with some very personal questions such as their city and zip code and didn’t even ask for parental approval (Pg.523). I feel like this is an emotional feeling of again helplessness. You can’t be monitoring your child all the time, filling this out for the wrong person could put their child in harm’s