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How can the writer incorporate understatement in this passage?…

Mathematics Questions
Short Answer
Step by Step Solution
Mathematics Questions

Read the passage. (1) Ask young people today if they know of anyone who has had smallpox, and they might ask, “What√¢¬Ä¬ôs smallpox?√¢¬Ä¬ù (2) That is because this disease was eradicated from the planet decades ago, thanks to vaccinations. (3) Despite the obvious effectiveness of vaccination, opponents of this procedure argue that humans are better off fighting diseases on their own without adding anything potentially harmful to their bodies. (4) Still, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that vaccines can be 99 percent effective, and the Centers for Disease Control claims that, over a 10-year period, vaccines allowed 322 million children to avoid illnesses. (5) So the next time someone tells you that vaccines are poisoned apples that will lead to a fate like Snow White√¢¬Ä¬ôs, counter their argument with the facts. (6) The bottom line is that vaccines are safe to use and save lives. How can the writer use understatement in this passage? by changing the phrase √¢¬Ä¬úyoung people√¢¬Ä¬ù to √¢¬Ä¬úmost people√¢¬Ä¬ù in sentence 1 by deleting the words obvious and potentially from sentence 3 by adding the phrase √¢¬Ä¬úso a few lives might be saved√¢¬Ä¬ù to the end of sentence 4 by shortening the passage to only five sentences by removing sentence 5

Short Answer

The answer explains understatement as a rhetorical device that minimizes significance, particularly through sentence structure, exemplified by adding “so a few lives might be saved” to alter perceptions about vaccines. This technique encourages readers to reconsider the true importance of vaccines, contrasting significant outcomes with trivial depictions, ultimately prompting reflection on their benefits.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand Understatement

Understatement is a rhetorical device used to intentionally make something appear less significant than it truly is. This technique serves to soften the impact of a fact or statement and can sometimes create irony. By downplaying important information, the speaker or writer encourages the audience to reconsider the significance of what is being presented.

Step 2: Analyze the Sentence Structure

In this context, focusing on sentence 4 allows for a strategic insertion of the phrase “so a few lives might be saved.” This addition subtly alters the tone and emphasizes the idea of minimizing the impact of vaccines. By including this phrase, the writer employs understatement in a way that leads readers to reassess their understanding of the importance of vaccines.

Step 3: Recognize the Impact of the Addition

Adding the phrase affects the reader’s perception, suggesting that the profound positive outcomes of vaccines, such as saving 322 million children from illnesses, are merely trivial. This deliberate choice creates a contrast between the actual significance and the diminished depiction. Use of such understatement can provoke thought and discussion about the real benefits of vaccines while showcasing the complexity of their impact.

Related Concepts

Understatement

A rhetorical device that intentionally makes something seem less significant than it actually is, often to create irony or encourage reconsideration of importance

Sentence Structure

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, influencing tone and clarity

Perception

The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted, often shaped by the presentation and context of information.

Table Of Contents
  1. Read the passage. (1) Ask young people today if they know of anyone who has had smallpox, and they might ask, "What’s smallpox?” (2) That is because this disease was eradicated from the planet decades ago, thanks to vaccinations. (3) Despite the obvious effectiveness of vaccination, opponents of this procedure argue that humans are better off fighting diseases on their own without adding anything potentially harmful to their bodies. (4) Still, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that vaccines can be 99 percent effective, and the Centers for Disease Control claims that, over a 10-year period, vaccines allowed 322 million children to avoid illnesses. (5) So the next time someone tells you that vaccines are poisoned apples that will lead to a fate like Snow White’s, counter their argument with the facts. (6) The bottom line is that vaccines are safe to use and save lives. How can the writer use understatement in this passage? by changing the phrase “young people” to “most people” in sentence 1 by deleting the words obvious and potentially from sentence 3 by adding the phrase “so a few lives might be saved” to the end of sentence 4 by shortening the passage to only five sentences by removing sentence 5

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