The piece of print media that I will chose is "A Quilt of a Country" by Anna Quindlen. This was a commentary published in "Newsweek" after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
The text "A Quilt of a Country" discusses the role of diversity in America, and how this diversity has shaped us as a nation. The publication's agenda, as well as the articles's agenda, is to avoid falling into hate and fear after the traumatic event that occured on September 11. The author worries that this event will be used to talk badly about foreigners or discourage diversity and immigration. She wants to explain why we should not let this be the case.
The subject is the role of diversity in America, and how this has shaped our culture. The occasion is the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The audience is all the American population. The purpose is to convince people that diversity is a positive force in our country, and not something to be hated and feared.
The article is extremely clear and persuasive. The author uses several rhetorical devices including logos, ethos and pathos. She also employs an extended metaphor in which she compares a quilt to America. The quilt is meant to represent a combination of very different patterns and styles that nevertheless work well together. She argues this is similar to the combination of cultures that exist in the country.
Ultimately, the metaphor, as well as the writing, are very effective in conveying the message of the author. They are also effective in demonstrating that diversity in America is something that should be cherished, and not feared.
