Whistling Vivaldi Stereotypes

“An Introduction: At the Root of Identity, from Whistling Vivaldi And Other Clues to How
Stereotypes affect us” is the introductory text is the first chapter of a larger book titled Whistling Vivaldi and Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us. The author, Claude M. Steele, a respected member of the academic community of social psychology, focuses on the effects of stereotypes on society. Although much of how society views others has changed between the release of the book and the present, many of its points still ring true and likely will for a portion of the foreseeable future. Such is the case with how we view each other and perceive patterns. Steele starts this text by establishing his authority. He then presents examples and studies. The primary goal of the text is to show that everyone is subject to stereotype threat. Throughout the text steele has a consistent style and tone. There are also no serious flaws present, but the text could be improved.
The first clear example of Steele’s qualifications is apparent in the first few paragraphs of the text which is presented as childhood memories, his childhood memories. These memories are of the days when segregation was the norm. The line “I have a memory of the first time I realized I was black.” pops out and
effectively grabs your attention. Elaborating, Steele continues his recollection and presents a memory of his childhood and the segregation present in every aspect of his childhood. This plays on the audience’s empathy and is shocking at first as he withheld the time until after it had been read. Doing this helps increase the effectiveness of the memory of the reader. This helps adjust the audience to identify the purpose of the text.
Currently, Steele is executive chancellor and provost of the University of California at Berkeley.
Throughout this article are examples that show Steele’s qualifications in the subject of stereotyping, not through degrees or classes, but through life experiences. In the introductory chapter of the text It is clear to the reader that Steele’s purpose is to show the audience that stereotype threat is present for everyone by presenting many diverse studies on the subject. In addition to the studies he also adds life experiences, some of which are his own and some the experiences of his students or colleagues. Doing this he uses pathos and logos by appealing to both logic and emotions with his
examples.
One of the primary goals Steele has throughout the first chapter is to convince the audience that stereotype threat is present everywhere using all three modes of persuasion but relies on ethos the most. To achieve this Steele presents many of his life experiences and the experiences of others which play on the audience’s emotions or pathos while also enforcing his authority on the subject. These experiences are both surprising and enlightening, as they present a new point of view. In addition to experiences, Steele also presents studies on how stereotypes affect all groups of people these primarily appeal to logic. One such study compared the results of students of different races while playing golf while free from stereotype threat and while under the pressure of it. The somewhat predictable result is that the students under the pressure of confirming the stereotype of their group performed worse than their peers. These studies appeal to the audience’s logic - logos as it shows quantifiable results in differing situations. In addition to presenting logical examples Steele reinforces the logical side of his text in the manner with which he writes. Throughout the introductory chapter Steele maintains a calm and collected tone which enforces his authority. This helps make him seem more credible as you read, because he doesn’t write with an aggravated or biased tone. Maintaining a cool, neutral tone as he presents his arguments Steele shows that he accomplished in the proper way to write in an academic field. By writing this way about a subject close to himself, Steele shows a great deal of professionalism. Throughout the text there are very few if any flaws present. Although not a flaw, Steele should have gone deeper into the studies he presented, and he may later on in the book. The writing in the text is rather mechanical with several emotional ploys scattered throughout. Improving the text could involve; Increasing the amount of factual data presented and adding counters or alternative viewpoints to those who disagree.
Overall, this text is a well written, informative excerpt. In it Steele gains your attention and then effectively presents his points and backs them up with experience and evidence. In addition to presenting his facts, Steele maintains a cool, writing style which helps increase his authority. Along with this the text contains very few mistakes or errors. Being written in an informative form makes it more agreeable even if you disagree. In the end Steele uses many rhetorical tools to present his ideas, he does so effectively. Throughout the text Steele shows that he is an effective writer.