Rhetorical Analysis of Derek Miller's Essay on Cat's Cradle

http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/512/postmodernism-in-vonneguts-cats-cradle

Miller understood the postmodern idealism perfectly, and could clearly explain how postmodernism relates to Cat's Cradle. Like 1984, Cat's Cradle is based off the same postmodern thesis that science and progress may actually not be leading to an utopia but an anti-utopia. The thesis was clearly stated and well elaborated on. I beleive that Miller understood what he was reading and that showed in his essay.

Miller uses Jim Powell, the author of Postmodernism for Beginners, as an appeal to Ethos earn credit with the audience and help explain what his thesis means. Powell is of course a perfect source for this thesis seen that he is an expert on postmodernism. Miller formats his essay to state his subject and then back up his subject with a quote from Powell. Similar to the Schaffer Format, commentary then a concrete detail, it is well organized and conveys the point with ease. He utilized the most important quote of the book, "there's no damn cat, and there's no damn cradle", not only as one of the subjects he elaborated on but also as the hook in the introductry paragraph. The entire essay flowed rather well, each paragraph wel organized according to its content.

Miller's diction was mostly simple but also had a few advanced words and I did not detect any misuse of any words or grammar errors. The language was formal and the essay seemed professional and well worded. Having read Cat's Cradle myself and my recent introduction to postmodernism I was easily able to relate to the essay and its thesis along with an understanding of the plot of the the book. I can tell Miller has a good understanding of postmodernism and for people who are completely unaware of postmodernism he uses Powell's crediblity to build ethos.

Overall Miller's essay show a good understanding of the book its based on and the thesis that it explains. The format is is neat and organized, and the diction is pretty good. I would rate it as a very good essay.