Close Reading (12/16)

The Tarnish of the Electoral College

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/opinion/the-tarnish-of-the-electoral-college.html

Many debate over whether or not the Electoral College should be kept in practice.  Some believe it to be unfair while others think it is representational.  The article “The Tarnish of the Electoral College”, proposes that the Electoral College should be revised through the use of diction, details and syntax.

                  The author’s intent is to persuade readers against the use of the Electoral College.  When the author uses words such as defective and abolished to describe the system, it is clear that he is not pleased with how we elect our president.  These words are harsh and have definite meanings suggesting a strong disgust in our system.  As readers see these negative words describing our voting system, then they are more likely to turn against or at least view the Electoral College in a negative light.

                  Through the use of details the readers is informed that the two major parties only call for reform when the Electoral College votes for the opponent.  When it is written how the Sun Belt is rising and Democratic states were losing population, the author suggests that the only reason Republicans were in support for the system.  Where as when younger individuals, Hispanics, and African-Americans had a rising population in in states such as “Nevada, Colorado, and Virginia” the Democrats were pleased the Electoral College.  Due to the parties only supporting this system when it is in their favor suggests the need for reform because it is not operating in a way that benefits all. 

                  Syntax is also used to show the flaws in the Electoral College.  When the author writes, “The problems with the Electoral College—born in the appeasement to slave states…” the use of separating the later part of the sentence emphasizes how the Electoral College is in place because of our horrible past of slavery.  By holding onto the Electoral College, we are in essence, holding onto slavery.

                  From the use of word choice, the details chosen to describe why parties like the Electoral College, and the structure of certain sentences support the author’s claim that the voting process needs reform.  The article clearly suggests that the electoral process is not just and in order to be a true democratic nation our election process needs to be more representative.