TOW #26- How to Tell People No by Tom Chiarella

Goals:

Use a longer essay

Write a well-written essay with well-explained examples in a short time

Once sentence conclusion

            In most schools, the phrase “just say no” tends be uttered so repetitively that it remains in the children’s minds. People say no on a daily basis, without giving it much thought. However, in his essay How To Tell People No, Tom Chiarella, the fiction editor at Esquire Magazine, contemplates the art of using the word “no”. Using anecdotes and bolded words, Chiarella is able to address how to effectively say the word “no” in a personal and connectable manner.

            By using personal anecdotes, Chiarella is able to eloquently prove his point while also making the essay more personal. For example, Chiarella talks about an instance in which his child asked him to drink, and rather then elaborating, he simply said no. By using a personal experience and following it with an explanation as to why a simple “no” was more effective then a complex elaboration, Chiarella gets his point across in a personal way that can connect to his mature audience. By repeating this approach for each example, Chiarella can get each of his points across in such a way that his audience can understand his point while connecting to the personal aspect of it.

            With the use of bolded words, Chiarella is able to organize his argument in as easily visible manner. Chiarella implements the bolding of words to introduce each new point or example. This makes his argument easy to follow while also drawing the attention of his audience. For example, he starts one of his sections with, “Yes suggests pleasure.” This immediately alerts his audience to a transition, thus helping the reader follow along, while also introducing a new point in such a way so that it visibly stands out to the audience. By organizing his essay in such a way, the audience can easily follow what the argument is and when that argument is altered or transitions to another, thus helping him prove each point in a way that makes sense.

            With the implementation of anecdotes and bolded words, Chiarella is able to successfully create an organized argument that addresses how to effectively say the word “no” in such a way that the audience can make a personal connection to it.