Petula Dvorak's "Do you know your state song? If you don't, you aren't alone."
Soapstone Analysis: Speaker: Petula Dvorak continues to bring bigger issues down to a relatable size and writes as if she was conversing with the reader. Occasion: Since 1997, when Virginia's old state song was retired due to its controversial lyrics (though it was actually written by a black composer), there has been debate over which song should fill its place. Recently, a house speaker suggested "Our Great Virginia" as the replacement, but the drama continues as no official song has been chosen yet. Audience: In general, this article is directed toward Americans. Most authors would direct this toward Virginians or lovers of politics but Dvorak managed to make this article relevant for all American's as she discusses how very few people actually know their state songs. Purpose: Petula Dvorak aims to illuminate the ridiculousness of the debate over Virginia's new state song since practically no one knows or cares about their state song anyway (except, as she notes, Georgians, who have the best state song in what should be everyone's personal opinions). Subject: Virginians are debating on a new state song. Tone: Dvorak has a ridiculing and sarcastic tone throughout the piece. Through her tone, the readers can tell she finds it ridiculous that Virginia is putting so much focus on finding a state song rather than on important issues.
Analysis of Rhetorical Devices: Petula Dvorak's article contains overall casual, polysyllabic diction and simple sentence structure to make the audience feel the article is more like a relaxed conversation than a judgmental, political column. Her tone is ridiculing and sarcastic. She only chooses charged words to emphasize her tone such as when she states this matter is a "crucial, jugular issue" and when she confesses her gratitude toward "House Speaker William J. Howell for spearheading the real issues of the commonwealth." Dvorak appeals to ethos because she chooses a wide variety of people to ask what their state song is and mentions the time and effort she took to get this information. She also appeals to logic because she includes so much evidence from her venture. Petula Dvorak completes the trio by appealing to emotion especially at the end of her article. She leaves the topic on a humorous note by mentioning that the only person who knew her state song was, of course, a Texan. Through these three appeals, Dvorak gains credibility and helps readers understand that finding a state song should be the last thing Virginia is focused on.