Sarcastic Masters

Psychology Today is an online website full of interesting articles intended for individuals who are interested in the studies of psychology and science. Elizabeth Svoboda, a scientific journalist who also writes for magazines such as Popular Science and Discover, wrote an article titled “Field Guide: Sarcastic Masters”. It was published on July 7th, 2014 and can be found at http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200706/field-guide-sarcastic-masters. The purpose of the article is to inform the audience of the causes and effects of sarcasm. Moreover, Svoboda hopes to leave the audience with a better understanding of how to appropriately use sarcasm. Svoboda effectively manipulates the text in order to distract the reader from an apparent lack of proper citations with a charming sense of humor, a fresh vocabulary, and relatable anecdotes. The goal of this article analysis is to highlight how the author uses elements of style and arrangement to relay her message, by looking through the rhetorical lenses of ethos, pathos, and logos. At the very least, Elizabeth Svoboda demonstrates that, if properly distracted, an educated audience may be successfully engaged without the need to provide validated resources.

The author manages to establish ethos with elements of humor, variety in vocabulary, and a strong use of abstract phrases. Throughout the article Svoboda uses colorful terms such as, “well-timed barb…. Quip…. Certified wisecrackers…. Nebulous…. Bons mots…. Sardonic wit…. Verbal jujitsu…. Sarcastic banter, and Facetious approach to life” (1-3). She also combines internal oppositions with alliteration such as “humor and hostility” (2), and “innocently insensitive” (2). The comically abstract language makes the author appear to be more knowledgeable which helps win over the audience. The comical aspect opens up her audience to her proposal by provoking laughter and smiles, which puts the reader at ease.

In order to appeal emotionally to the reader, Svoboda exemplifies pathos by beginning the article with an anecdotal human-interest story, which gives presence to the issue. The author quotes a woman named Rachel Mosteller who loses her job due to her sarcastic comments.

“Frustrated by her company’s practice of feting model employees with Hallmark-style gifts, Mosteller posted a send-up of the policy on her blog... ‘You go and do something spectacular (most likely you’re doing your JOB) and someone says ‘Why golly, that was spectacular.’ Then they bring you chocolate and some balloons,’ she wrote. Though she never disclosed her real name or the company’s, higher-ups got wind of the post and she was promptly fired” (Svoboda 1).

By starting the article with a comical anecdote, the author provides a cultural context that the reader can relate to. It engages the reader by evoking feelings of sympathy, understanding, and amusement through humor. The audience is maybe then focused on how they are feeling about the characters’ situation instead of questioning the actual validity of the evidence being presented.

Many times the author uses comical anecdotes to make an argumentative point, from which the reader is lead to infer a claim, this case being that sarcasm may be detrimental to an individual’s career. Svoboda also uses a variety of other conventional and non-conventional principals of logical arrangement such as juxtaposing positions, quick cut transitions, and fades. For example, the author states in the conclusion, “sarcasm, when used with discretion, may be channeled in positive directions” (Svoboda 3). The conclusion contradicts the initial claim, yet the inconsistency simultaneously supports the larger purpose of the article, which is to inform. This use of non-traditional structures resists the neatness of the thesis, which forces the audience to construct a part of the argument in their own heads. The author uses these rhetorical elements of logos in an attempt to outweigh the fact that there are no formal citations for consulted sources.

When it comes to informing the audience about the roots and effects of sarcasm, Elizabeth Svodoba effectively uses the elements of humor, arrangement, and style, to counterbalance her lack of properly cited resources. Her claims appear to be somewhat reliable. The support for the claims are solidly linked to the main thesis that sarcasm is a means of expressing aggression towards others and insecurity about themselves. Even though there is no way to prove her evidence is reliable, some readers might be quick to believe the information provided due to Elizabeth’s use of personal anecdotes, and witty vocabulary. Although it is preferable to provide an audience with unquestionably sound arguments, Elizabeth proves that charm and style can sometimes outweigh the necessity for an audience to require cited sources.

Works Cited

Svoboda, Elizabeth. "Field Guide: Sarcastic Master." Psychology Today. Psychology Today, 01 July 2007. Web. 25 Jan. 2014.