While Lies are often spoken, there will always be some who refuse to admit the truths. By listing out different types of lies, Ericsson successfully identifies when and how each type of lie is used. Simply by summarizing complex stories, and listing out different types of lies, she successfully uses rhetorical language to persuade the audience, identifying when and how each type of lie is used, making several points about how some lies can have serious consequences and can be harmful to the person lying or the person being lied to.
Her addressees are every person because she argues that every person lies., she uses references to pronounce the effects of lying. By reference, I mean a brief, casual reference to an eminent person or occasion. She utilizes this rhetorical expedient to describe the severity lying can be. I consider her use of these strategies as references simply because they give an ephemeral reference to eminent people or occasions in a way that is not too complex. Evidence 1: By listing out different types of lies, Ericsson successfully identifies when and how each type of lie is used.
Regardless of whether we may have lied in light of how others may feel, or on the off chance that it was on the grounds that we would not like to complete something we were doled out, lying has gotten so normal to us that we can’t recognize it from what reality truly is. Lying has become a social disease, as Stephanie Ericsson states in her article, ‘The Ways We Lie’, that we have gotten to the meaningful part where we acknowledged it into our general public. It is extremely amusing, particularly when we scrutinize the administration for the things that they lie to us about yet never take an analysis of ourselves for what we stowed away.
Ericsson’s tone is colloquial; she inverses with the reader. She utilizes the generalities ‘we’ and ‘like most people’ to create a relevant connection among her and her audience (Maraj). Ericsson’s references show the unforeseen consequences of racial stereotypes against the Japanese before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Her hypothesis that dismissal is a type of lie that people can employ against others or even themselves.
She even shows how omission, from extremely important texts like the Bible, and even non-important day to day life events can be considered as much of a lie as any other type and can often do a lot more damage. Ericsson is able to show how easily lies can become part of a person’s lifestyle, by comparing them to how a fish views water. Just as water is invisible to a fish, who has become used to it, so can lies that consume and define us, eventually, become invisible to even ourselves.
This comparison allows Ericsson to strengthen her argument about delusions being categorized as lies. By using rhetorical questions Stephanie Ericsson is able to get the reader to think about the impact lies can have, and how lying changes people’s perceptions of others. Her use of words such as ‘we’ and ‘I’ and her depiction of her own use of lies within her life gives her writing a personal, conversational style. Her choice of words seems clever as well as precise, providing emphasis to depict the difficulty she is having.
Concerns I might have would be how Ericsson’s essay is merely a compilation of a numerous amount of writings by other’s, rather than her own thoughts completely. However, I understand Ericsson’s goal with writing in this style. Lies that are told by people are classified into parts and sub-parts in order to describe different categories. By utilizing this writing strategy, Ericsson seemingly creates a bond with the audience.
She is conversational as well as personal, stating ‘We lie. We all do. We exaggerate, we minimize, we avoid confrontation, we spare people’s feelings, we conveniently forget, we… Like most people…’ really connect to readers – Appeal to ethos. by emphasizing the word ‘we.’ She is not singling out or accusing anyone, she is including herself amongst the liars.
By her use of a personal anecdote, Ericsson is able to relate how she has fallen victim to the utilization of stereotypes and clichés and how effortlessly these sorts of lies can mark our society.. Going through each of these lies, providing quotes, and using logical intellect as a means of mitigating. Here the use of references shows how oversight, from important texts like the Bible, can be considered as much of a lie as any other type, and can often do a lot more damage. The use of an organization proposes an idea, provides definitions of different types of lies, gives examples, criticizes the use of lies.
Ericsson uses a similar discussion point to open and close this to frame her essay because it brings the essay full cycle. She uses the reference to relate with the audience about the lies we make often in our lives. … Throughout the essay, she uses sub-headings to highlight the variety and distinction between each lie. The intended purpose of the quotations is to introduce each lie and connect them to other people who have the same viewpoint or idea along the lines Ericsson is arguing. By doing this, the audience has more reason to believe that what Ericsson is saying has substance. I see most of the quotes as being inspirational but thought-provoking. This variety helps her meaning because it shows the array of those who lie. By expanding the sources, it expands the influence of her claim and shows that no one is safe from lies (Graboski).
Works Cited
- Graboski, Emily. emgraboskiblog.blogspot.com. 27 January 2015. http://emgraboskiblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-ways-we-lie.html. 28 May 2020.
- Maraj, Karishma. Prezi.com. 03 November 2014. https://prezi.com/jcly8mbpgora/the-ways-we-lie/. 29 May 2020.