In order to appeal to logos and ethos, the author cites many statistics from many sources. These numbers obviously appeal to the reader’s logic, allowing him or her to believe the author’s initial claim that rural populations are growing. Some credibility is assumed because of the popularity and reliability of the magazine, but the rest comes from the sources of these statistics, of which the author uses two. The first source also has assumed credibility: various levels of French government. The author paraphrases promises and statements made by the mayor of Nâves, the rural village that this article is focused on, and the president of France. The second source adds a different kind of credibility, the kind that a witness has at court. The author quotes many citizens of Nâves, most notably a 97-year-old woman who grew up in the village. She’s seen it change through the years first-hand, leaving her more than qualified to speak of these changes. All of these statistics make the author’s argument more believable by adding to his credibility and providing a logical argument that makes sense.
Along with the statistics, the same 97-year-old woman describes what it was like to live in Nâves in the 1950s, adding personal anecdotes that appeal to pathos. She speaks of the vibrancy and life that surrounded the village over 50 years ago and then adds, “now that’s all gone” (4). Up until recent inventions that allow one to be alone yet surrounded by friends (basically the Internet), the population in rural villages declined, but now that such things are possible people known as néoruraux, French for new rurals, start to flock back. The village starts to come alive again as it’s filled with “trampolines and little bicycles outside the new wooden chalets on the village edge, where younger families have settled” (4). This imagery, along with imagery used as a hook in the first paragraph, evokes a sense of romantic village life, appealing to the pathos of the audience.
Unfortunately, I am not included in this intended audience. “Village croissant” was originally published in the European print edition. Intended for the English--it is a British paper after all--most of whom know at least some French, the title is more than just something confusing about a village and a French pastry. “Croissant” in French also means “increasing” in English, which makes perfect sense given the increasing population of rural villages. This and other French terms appeals specifically to the target audience, referencing things that some Americans would not understand without further research. The double entendre is clever, hooking the reader, and subtly reminds the reader of the romantic life in a small village. This keeps the reader’s attention and makes the audience feel good while reading.
The author of “Village croissant” cites statistics from various sources, uses imagery in anecdotes, and utilizes a double entendre in order to write an interesting article on the increase of small villages’ populations, appealing to logos, ethos, and pathos along the way. However, although the author effectively achieves his purpose through his article, it was a bit torturous to read--all this talk of croissants is making me hungry! Time to go grab a snack!
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| Flake out - Alamy NOMNOMNOMNOM SO YUMMY *tummy grumbles* |
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