Rhetorical Analysis Of David Sedaris ' Me Talk Pretty One Day '

David's instructor was intimidating, rude, and somewhat abusive, but despite these things he used her behavior as a motivator to succeed. David was not about to give up and he: "refused to stand convicted on the teacher's charge of laziness," and due to that, he studied for 4 or more hours every night because he was determined to stand out (Sedaris, 1999). David clearly had a reaction to his teacher’s approach, which created a sense of urgency and a need to excel. His choice to persevere, despite her attitude, caused him to work hard, and he was once again able to use humor to get through by adding jokes to his responses to her quizzes. This whole experience shaped him into a better person and made him

David Sedaris talks about his account when he moved to France to learn French and how his fear went beyond the classroom when doing everyday things. One way this key point supports the story is when David Sedaris talks about how he would avoid going into the grocery stores or coffee shops because he was afraid he would have to speak French.

In his essay, Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris uses humor and satire, to chronicle his time as a student in a French language class while living in France. Sedaris creatively expresses his external and internal struggles as a student in his later years, bringing real-life examples of how he overcame his obstacles to obtain his educational goals. Through careful research and critical analysis, this essay effectively proves that despite adversity, self-doubt, and preconceived notions of what “college-age” is, acquiring a higher education is possible.

Properly learning and grasping a new language requires support and the proper learning environment from the teacher. However, it did not take long for David to learn that his teacher was verbally abusive, among other negative things. Unfortunately, this realization also came on the first day of class. She spoke to the class in a condescending tone, and insulted each student’s ability to speak the language. One day, as she was humiliating David in front of the entire class, she said

David’s first impression of his teacher was: She’s mean and very sarcastic with her responses. At that point he knew he was in trouble. So, he

Even though Sedaris describes the teacher as a terrifying wild animal he still has a humorous tone around it which makes it reliable for the reader since most people have found themselves in an analogous situation. Towards the end of the essay, we get the feeling that Sedaris' French has improved. The teacher's insults do not seem to bother him that much anymore. By the teacher being so strict to everyone, do the insults not seem to be that serious and maybe not something she means entirely. Suddenly he could understand every word of the teacher's sentence. Even though she had just insulted him he feels like it was a victory for him. He cannot speak the language but it is a step in the right direction.

“Me Talk Pretty One Day,” by David Sedaris is a clever reminiscent essay that revealed three important lessons. First and foremost, life needs people who can exhibit perseverance in any situation like David Sedaris and other classmates proved throughout their challenging French class. This essay demonstrated that education is meant for everyone regardless of their age. David was forty years when he decided to go to college, which for some may seem old. Ultimately, I realized that a teacher played a key role in ensuring that Sedaris and his classmates became fluent French speakers. During our assignment, I identified with the author’s claim, “the end justifies the means” (Sedaris, 2002). David Sedaris wrote this essay in attempt to show that in any process, the results matter more than the challenges experienced. The teacher was harsh throughout his development, but the most important thing is that the class managed to learn the French language at the end. I continue to believe in my early claim because the author tried to demonstrate that success comes for those who endure the obstacles that may come their way.

The protagonist realizes that the problem isn’t just the lack of French knowledge but the subject matter. Tradition, religion and faith can be abstract ideas that can be complicated to explain to someone who does not share your thoughts, ideas and beliefs, especially when you don’t understand them yourself. He wonders, “if without the language barrier, my classmates and I could have done a better job making sense of Christianity, an idea that sounds pretty far-fetched to begin with” (417). This is where the story shifts into personal reflection and we see another instance where Sedaris uses irony. He claims to open his mind to all the possibilities, “If I could believe in myself, why not give other improbabilities the benefit of the doubt?” (417), but then he contradicts his whole point when he dismisses a flying bell from the pope, “A bell, though, that’s fucked up” (417). Since the story is written in this humorous tone, he is able to criticize these religious symbols without offending

presence in class, told him to keep quiet, and publicly insulted him about his hardship

This essay “Me Talk Pretty One Day” about the author David Sedaris stands one of his phenomenal pieces that he got us used to. He indicated several techniques throughout his essay that included more meaning and humor to his selection. It’s much easier to be anything other than being humorous and comedic on paper, however David Sedaris continues to be a brilliant author in his selection for the language techniques that he uses to deliver the smile upon our faces; the extensive imagination to the scenes of his story. David develops his thesis through delicate humor and entertaining anecdote of his French course and his “know-it-all” professor who finds enjoyment of belittling her students.

In David Sedaris’s piece “Me Talk Pretty One Day” he brings to light his real-life struggle of learning French through unconventional methods of teaching which creates this internal flame inside him that allows him to push through his tough time in order to succeed. David’s internal flame is his burning desire to not allow anyone or anything to stop him from being the successful student that he knows he will be while also not letting his character be defined by someone else. His internal flame makes an overwhelming case for his readers that they can achieve success through hardships such as his which he stressed in his piece: dealing with a hostile environment in the classroom, experiencing confrontation in society, and finding the determination to finish what he started.

It was the day, the report card appeared into my mail box. I headed into the house slowly, my father walking in front of me. The marble stone floor was colder than usual and was gnawing on my foot. The sense of danger hung in the air, but I walked on. As my father summon me to come forward my foot, obediently, dragged themselves in front him. Knowing that I will be stroke with the slender bamboo stick, instead of fear rising, indifference was replaced by it. The first blow struck my buttock. As it gained speed, almost the entire of my body surface was struck, and then it ended. Black and blue covered my legs and arms as like it was paint. However, unlike paint, it can’t be washed. I hate report cards. Since then, my grades were above average, but until today, I still hate them. You can say that it was that day that changed my languid attitude to a busy worker. I can’t say that my attitude and behavior haven’t changed from since, but I can say that it is kind of solid.

In the essay “Me Talk Pretty One Day”, David Sedaris, American humorist and writer, recounts the hysterical/hilarious story about his experience while learning French in France at the age of 41. Sedaris develops his story providing a detailed narrative of what it is to be a foreign student in a French school taught by a very impatient and not so encouraging French teacher. Using comic exaggeration, Sedaris makes his essay not only quirky and bold; but interestingly appealing because it is an entertaining portrayal of his learnings. 4TH sentence: From his hilarious, somewhat painful, everyday experiences learning a new language, the intended audience of this essay is anyone who have learned, or is learning, a foreign language and can relate to the struggles and difficulties that go along with this experience. ADD THESIS STATEMENT HERE?

For some reason, I start the conversation every day, even though I know how it will end, maybe it’s because he is easy on the eyes. Unfortunately almost as often as my conversation, I am disgraced at for making small talk. I like all people do not like being impressed, and having happen in front of you know who, only makes it worse. As the teacher remarks on my “unfortunate” behavior, I can't help but notice my head lowers. Upon the completion of her speech I fight back tears. I sit, sloughing, ankles crossed, with my hands in my lap for what feels like hours, really only five minutes. Then, just as I begin the work, I hear “Fifteen more minutes!” I think to myself how did a hour long class come to only fifteen minutes, time fly when you're having fun, and this is not my kinda fun, then I think to myself I have no time for math problems I have thirteen more minutes. I rush to complete the assignment, unable to move on after I make a mistake, did I mention I also have OCD. To my amaze I complete the worksheet. As I leave the class I promise myself next class would be different. I told you how I have that conversation everyday, so we know how that works

Though difficult to pick up David Sedaris employs the rhetoric strategies of Sarcasm, Irony and Understatement.