How Haydn Shaw engages the reader

Part of your task requires you to discuss how Haydn Shaw engages the reader in Text II, using examples from the text.

To engage readers (or any receivers), writers (or senders) usually use certain rhetorical devices and forms of appeal designed to keep the readers’ focus and to make them more likely to accept their arguments.

In Text II, Haydn Shaw uses ethos (an appeal to authority or shared values), pathos (an appeal to emotions), and logos (an appeal to logic), as well as irony, negative aspects, and a personal story to engage the readers.

Irony and negative aspects

Furthermore, the fact that the writer presents and acknowledges some of the negative aspects of helicopter parenting makes even the readers who are against helicopter parenting more likely to take into account his arguments in favor of being an involved parent. He makes it clear that he understands both sides of the issue, making his argument appear more balanced.

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Forms of appeal

To engage the readers, Haydn Shaw appeals to authority and shared values, also known as ethos. He builds his credibility and authority by making allusions to his books and workshops: “In the workshops I teach on generational differences...” (ll. 1-2); “As I say in my book Sticking Points, ‘This is not just a case of overprotective parents’...” (ll. 74-76)

Occasionally, he makes references to emotions and feelings, also known as an appeal to pathos.

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