Analysis of the Rhetorical Strategies in Barbara Kingsolvers' "High Tide in Tucson" Anonymous 11th Grade

“High Tide in Tucson” by Barbara Kingsolver attempts to enlighten its readers to the harsh reality that results from leaving home and demonstrate how our animal-like qualities keep us going. Kingsolver writes to the people who have already moved away from home and the people who may follow that path someday in hopes of providing some emotional support and guidance -- guidance she believes could have helped her with the conflicts she encountered throughout her life. Barbara Kingsolver uses philosophical diction and the emotional connection created between her audience and the hermit crab in order to illustrate the disembodying struggle of leaving home and transitioning to adulthood, and the animalistic adaption that is required to move along with the natural ebb and flow of life. Her use of the emotional connection successfully relates her audience to the ideas present in her essay; however, her use of philosophical diction fails to support her claims, creating an excessive amount of warrants that can conflict with the audience’s opinions.

One of Barbara Kingsolver’s main rhetorical strategies is her use of philosophical diction. While philosophical diction can add profound concepts to one’s writing, the strategy also creates a...