Analysis

George Blecher’s article “More Than Coffee: New York’s Vanishing Diner Culture” explores diner culture in the US.

The composition of the article follows the traditional structure of an article, including a title, an introduction, a main body and a conclusion. The title and the introduction grab readers’ attention through catchy words and a personal approach. The main body explores the topic of the article, the development of diners, using historical references, expert opinions, but also the personal experiences of the writer, of a diner owner and of other customers.

The sender of the text is George Blecher, known author and journalist, who comes across as a diner-expert thanks to his experience, but also because he has done theoretical and practical investigative research.

The receivers of the text are the readers of the New York Times and Americans in general. Specifically, Blecher targets Americans who go to diners or are interested in the topic.

The language and style of writing are personal but formal and eloquent, as Blecher shares personal stories but uses rather complex words and phrases. Cultural references, metaphors, and descriptive words make the text more appealing.

The text is a reaction to circumstances showing the decline of the New York City diners which have been gradually closing down due to a number of factors.

The writer’s intention is to convince readers of the importance of preserving diners because they are cultural institutions that mirror American values. To achieve this intention, Blecher uses all three forms of appeal as well as other language devices.

Further help

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