Article Analysis Exercise

Alessandro Velasco

Article: Not Here To Make Friends

Headline: Engages the reader with an impactful statement. “Not Here

To Make Friends” is a phrase that contradicts traditional social norms.

Lead: Engages the reader by mentioning a popular moment in today’s

TV reality shows: “I’m not here to make friends”

Purpose: To challenge the popular belief of needing to be insensitive to

get to the top

Audience: Addresses a young adult audience who are most likely

heard about this mentality in their workplace. Uses accessible
vocabulary.

Ideas: The ideas are presented in a cause-and-effect sequence (the

effects of being heartless and insensitive with other people; and the
effects of being friendlier and empathic with others). To organize
information, the text uses scenarios, examples, and common
experiences. Paragraphs are linked by ideas of power (“corporate
ladder”, “status among peers”, “boss”)

Language: Uses 1st person plural (“we”) and 2nd person (“you”). Uses
a variety of sentence lengths. Shortest sentence: 5 words (“No one
likes a jerk.”) Longest sentence: 52 words (paragraph 9). Uses
references of popular culture “tube of Pringles” “barbeques” “Fear
Factor”
Stance: Clear position: Being insensitive and cold to get to the top may
only give you power for a short time, while building connection and trust
with other people can give you long-lasting allies that can help you
achieve your goal.