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Analysis of Kristin Shrader-Frechette’s “Five Myths About Nuclear Energy”

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Submitted By LaurenSchmorn666
Words 780
Pages 4
In “Five Myths about Nuclear Energy,” Kristin Shrader-Frechette begins by simply stating that atomic energy is one of the most “impractical and risky” fuel source available (231). She continues her essay, published in America, a Catholic Jesuit magazine, using facts and statistics to negate popular myths about nuclear energy as a way of convincing the reader that there are more effective forms of energy. Shrader-Frechette’s argument, besides a few minor fallacies, is very effective with the use of her statistics as well has her tone contributing to the overall successful argument. Shrader-Frechette speaks in a matter-of-fact tone that I would actually consider a fallacy within itself. Since Shrader-Frechette is so fluent and lofty, this is a snob appeal that appeals to the readers’ desire to be more intelligent and well-rounded. As Shrader-Frechette uses statistics to explain her point, her overall character portrays a more intellectual person because she knows these little details. Also, her diction, or word choice, depicts a more factual and knowledgeable tone. The use of words such as “proliferation” as well as her knowledge of the “Swedish Nobel Prize winner” shows her intelligence which makes the reader more fascinated by Shrader-Frechett’s argument in a subconscious use of snob appeal (235). Since she uses such a matter-of-fact tone in her argument, the reader is more susceptible to accepting the argument in order to be identified with Shrader-Frechette who seems to be very intelligent. Shrader-Frechette has very few fallacies in her argument, but the ones she uses, unless they are spotted, make the argument seem even more successful to the reader. First, she employs a lot of inappropriate appeals such as snob appeal and the bandwagon approach. Shrader-Frechette attempts to persuade the reader to accept her assertion because “both experts and the

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