TOW #12: The Omnivore's Dilemma #1

In the book, The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, Michael Pollan discusses the impact of the food industry on America and how what we eat can majorly change our society. An published author, journalist, activist and Berkeley professor, Michael Pollan delves deep into the world of food and stresses how choosing what to eat is incredibly important. While addressing his large audience of American food consumers, he uses a second person point of view and complex diction to show that food problems are extremely widespread and to stress the importance of having knowledge regarding food consumption. His use of a second person point of view has a major impact on the text. He says, "Grab a beer for your beverage instead and you'd still be drinking corn. Read the ingredients on the label of any processed food and, provided you know the chemical names it travels under, corn is what you will find" (18). This strategic use of "you" makes the topic seem much more general and widespread. Pollan is speaking directly to his audience and essentially saying this applies to all of you, not just me. It not only makes the book more approachable and easy to visualize but it also makes his point stronger. He also uses very complex and specific diction to increase his credibility. He describes, " For modified or unmodified starch, for glucose syrup and maltodextrin, for crystalline fructose and ascorbic acid, for lecithin and dextrose, lactic acid and lysine, for maltose and HFCS, for MSG and for polyols, for the caramel color and xanthan gum, read: corn" (19). All of these big and scientific words increase Pollan's ethos by making him appear to be very educated about the topic of food. It adds a lot of weight to his argument. After reading much of the text, I do think that Pollan did an exceptional job at achieving his purpose. I feel much more educated about the modern food industry and I think that this book would be beneficial for everyone to read. Through his use of second person point of view and complex diction, Michael Pollan attempts to educate Americans of the importance of food and their choices regarding it.