Rhetorical Devices in Tough Love, Tougher Struggle and Working at Wendy’s

There are over fifty rhetorical devices that writers can use to improve their stories. Joey Franklin and Tanner Barrett use multiple rhetorical devices throughout their stories “Tough Love, Tougher Struggle '' by Barrett, and “Working at Wendy’s” by Franklin. Barrett wrote a story about an adolescent girl, Carrie Reeves, who struggles with an eating disorder throughout high school. While Reeves ate a normal amount of calories every day, she continued to lose weight as she over-exercised to train for cross country and track. Reeves knew she had a problem, but she also knew the skinnier she was, the faster she ran. Her mom, Ehlert, decided she was not going to let her daughter slowly die in front of her, so she made the hard decision to have Reeves “kidnapped” and put into an inpatient recovery center 1500 miles from home. While it placed a huge strain on their relationship, it most likely saved her life. Even though it was a vigorous fifteen weeks, Reeves came out the other side stronger. On the other hand, Franklin lets the reader see what it was like for him to work at Wendy’s as a college student with a wife and kids in his story. Franklin narrates his and his co-workers’ lives, and why they each chose to work there. Just like Franklin, his peers needed to work there to survive. Whether it was for their children, school, a house, or to stay out of jail, Wendy’s was their only option. Each author decided to write their story in a particular way. In Barrett's narrative, he effectively shares Reeves’ story by using hypophora and similes, and Franklin’s persuasive piece is effectively communicated by using the rhetorical devices of analepsis and rhetorical questions. 

Hypophora is defined when a writer or speaker poses a question, then answers the question (American Rhetoric). Barrett incorporates this device multiple times throughout his writings. A good example would be,  “Does she understand now? ‘Kind of,’ Reeves says. ‘If I would have had a heart attack, maybe then I would have understood’” (Barrett 3). The inclusion of this device catches the reader’s attention by making them consider the question being asked. They are then able to further analyze the story in a lot more depth than before. Answering the question makes the reader feel important and causes them to become more engaged; it feels like the author is answering their question.  

A simile is one of the most common rhetorical devices a writer can use. Effective similes can improve stories by helping readers visualize what is being described, further engaging them in the story. For instance, Barrett input a quote by Cassie describing how “‘They treated me kind of like a criminal’”(Barrett 3). Comparing these two situations gives a more in-depth description of what her experience was like during her time at the rehabilitation center. With that one sentence, the reader knows the strict regimen and severe nature of those fifteen weeks Cassie went through. It shows all this without over-explaining what it felt like, it is straight, accurate, and to the point.

While both authors encompass a variety of different flashbacks, Franklin does it more often, with a very significant impact. This concept is called analepsis and is displayed in numerous moments. After Franklin discusses how he talked with one of his pregnant coworkers, he tells the story of how “Kris Livingston’s mom ran the register at the Taco Bell on the corner…” (Franklin 2). Franklin’s narrative of his background gives the reader further insight into how the current and past experiences of Franklin’s life connect. This also gives the reader a deeper insight into why some of his perspectives are the way they currently are. This deeper understanding of the way Franklin acts and thinks is why the rhetorical device of analepsis is such a strong  device to use. This is not only true for Franklin’s story but every author’s piece of writing.

The other rhetorical device that Franklin uses is a rhetorical question. Unlike hypophora, when asking a question, there is no answer. It allows the reader to think, as well as contemplate the story more in-depth. After getting the job, Franklin ponders with himself asking, “‘Can I do this?’” (Franklin 2). The practice of rhetorical questions lets the reader observe the inner thoughts and fears of Franklin’s life. Everything that a reader could possibly not see from the descriptions or actions of the characters are told in that single question. It also emphasizes the emotions of fear, uncertainness, and nervousness that Franklin has for this new endeavor. 

Both authors have constructed well-written and intriguing essays in which each used various rhetorical devices to improve their work. Barrett and Franklin both chose to use different kinds of devices throughout their pieces. Barrett decided to use hypophora and similes throughout his story, causing the reader to become more engaged and understood by the author. Franklin decided to use analepsis and rhetorical questions so the reader has a deeper understanding of his own actions and emotions about this particular topic. The use of these devices makes the pieces easier to read, understand, and analyze.