Rhetorical Analysis: The Tedx Talk

The audiences for the two texts are somewhat different, but both appeal to people looking for enjoyment in competitiveness. The TedX Talk, which discusses reality television and series such as Big Brother and Survivor, is aimed at an audience that appreciates reality TV competitions. The speaker discusses viewing live feeds and surveying how peers would behave on such shows, implying that the audience is likely made up of reality TV fans intrigued by social manipulation and rivalry. This audience values entertainment that allows for in-depth exploration of the intricacies of human behavior in game-like circumstances. In contrast, Jane Coaston's article in The New York Times is aimed at a more contemplative audience—people who use sports as
The speaker’s effective use of pathos is more likely to persuade their audience than the writer. The speech appeals directly to the audience's emotions by emphasizing how reality television influences societal behavior, specifically how series like Survivor and The Bachelor encourage unethical behavior such as lying, manipulation, and sabotage (Kassal 2:56-3:03). This emotionally charged argument appeals to the audience's concerns about moral degeneration, forcing contemplation on how such shows can affect society. By providing realistic examples such as individuals lying and sabotaging each other for personal gain, the speaker raises concerns about how viewers, particularly young or impressionable ones, can emulate similar behaviors. In contrast, Jane Coaston's article, while scholarly, lacks emotional appeal. Coaston explores the function of sports as escapism in times of crisis, such as the conflict in Ukraine, but her approach is more analytical and introspective. While the argument is intellectually sound, it lacks the emotional immediacy of Kassal’s speech, making it less likely to affect the intended audience