Anticipating the Thesis

(helping to establish issue and prepare reader for thesis)

Without anticipating the thesis, it's hard to know what this author will argue until you get to the
thesis. In the first paragraph, there is no anticipation. In the second, the anticipation is added.
Which works better? Why?

Effectively Persuading a Targeted Audience:

A Rhetorical Analysis of “FML: Millennials Are Screwed” (by Russell Green)

Former human rights speechwriter, Michael Hobbes, in his article “FML: Millennials Are
Screwed,” creates an argument for reform through presenting economic data for the target
audience of millennials (ages eighteen to thirty-four) in the form of four “chapters.” As this is a
Huffington Post article about millennials, Hobbes writes to millennials as his audience. As such,
he uses various techniques, such as word choice and recognizing himself as one of them (age
thirty-five). With structural choices of visual design and diction, and his selections of examples
and data, Hobbes’ approach to writing develops a question of reform. Furthermore, Hobbes
masterfully uses the structure of the artwork, word choice, and relatable examples to propagate a
focused and profound connection between the millennial readers and himself, but the statistics
are what act upon the connection and truly solidify his argument.

Former human rights speechwriter, Michael Hobbes, in his article “FML: Millennials Are
Screwed,” creates a compelling argument for reform through presenting economic data relevant
to the target audience of millennials (ages eighteen to thirty-four) in the form of four easily
digestible “chapters.” As this is a Huffington Post article about millennials, Hobbes knows that
the generation most likely to read, and act upon, his article are the millennials the article applies
to. As such, he also establishes a personal bond through word choice, among other techniques,
with his targeted audience by recognizing himself as one of them (age thirty-five). From the
structural choices of visual design and diction to the more complex selections of relatable
examples and data, Hobbes’ approach to writing develops a necessary question of reform.
Furthermore, Hobbes masterfully uses the structure of the artwork, word choice, and relatable
examples to propagate a focused and profound connection between the millennial readers and
himself, but the statistics are what act upon the connection and truly solidify his argument.