Close Reading #4 (12/16)

     http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/opinion/collins-the-woes-of-roe.html?ref=opinion

      The article "The Woes of Roe" by Gail Collins is an editorial discussing the abortion issue that is constantly debated.  Her article defends a woman's choice to have an abortion, and discusses how labels such as "pro-life" and "pro-choice"  can affect how people view the question.  To support her argument, Collins utilises diction, syntax, and details.
      The main function of Collins' choice of diction is to relate to the target audience.  She begins the article by mentioning that young Americans are giving less support for abortion rights, so young Americans are the people she needs to convince that abortion rights are important.  To do this, Collins uses simple terms that teens use, but not too much so she still sounds like an imformed adult.  Diction that relates to teens are words such as "crazy," "labels," or "popular."  Throwing in words that teenagers hear on a daily basis from their peers helps them relate to the writer.
      To make supporting abortion rights seem like the obvious choice, Collins includes different syntax techniques.  As said above, Collins states that more young Americans are calling themselves pro-life rather than pro-choice.  After this Collins writes, "On the other hand — I know you had faith that eventually we’d get to the other hand — the polls depend on the question."  Breaking up the middle of the sentence with dashes makes the middle of the sentence sound like an aside.  It implies that the reader was waiting anxiously to hear the rebuttal.  Later, Collins includes the quote, "We’re just doing business as usual. Trying to be there for the women of Mississippi."  The person saying the quote uses short simple sentences as if nothing more is necessary.  This tone magnifies the point that what's truly important is supporting women no matter their personal choices.

       Lastly, details greatly  reinforces Collins' point of view while convincing the reader.  Even though lately more people say they are pro-life, "according to the Quinnipiac poll, if you ask Americans whether they agree with the Roe decision, nearly two-thirds say yes."  Basically this is saying that even people that are pro-life agree with the decision that allows abortions.  To help her case Collins includes details that tie into the struggle economy issue such as, "Abortion clinics around the country are reeling under crazy new rules that make it impossible for them to operate...only a handful managed to reopen." This detail says to the reader that this decision doesn't only effect women, it effects our economy.  Finally, to drive it home Collins pushes the argument that women should decide what's right for women with the detail, "If you want to rack up a real positive response on a poll, ask people whether the women or the politicians should make decisions about their pregnancies. One of the surveys commissioned by Planned Parenthood showed 83 percent of likely voters picked the women, including 64 percent of those who called themselves pro-life." 

      A woman has the right to believe that an abortion is not right for her, so a woman should also be given the right to choose the alternative.  This is what Collins' article wants to get across to the audience.   To do this diction, syntax, and details, are skillfully used to support her view.