Combining Methods: What We Eat

Eric Schlosser argues that fast food is taking over our lives whether we actually eat fast food or not. The McDonald’s corporation is expanding day by day. Every year the McDonald’s franchise owns two-thousand more restaurants. This is causing Americans to think that eating fast food is a part of their daily lives. It is no longer just an option but has become a necessity to adults who don’t have the time to cook meals.

The first method Schlosser uses in his argument is description. He shows this method when he says, “Pull open the glass door, feel the rush of cool air, walk in, get on line, study the backlit color photographs above the counter, place your order, hand over a few dollars, watch teenagers in uniforms pushing various buttons, and moments later take hold of a plastic tray full of food wrapped in colored paper and cardboard.” By unfolding the routine of how Americans obtain their fast food he is using description. Almost all Americans are familiar with and can relate to this routine.

The second method Schlosser uses in his argument is definition. He defines the word, “uniformity” by telling his readers that, “The key to a successful franchise, according to many texts on the subject, can be expressed in one word: uniformity. Franchises and chain stores strive to offer exactly the same product or service at numerous locations. Customers are drawn to familiar brands by an instinct to avoid the unknown. A brand offers a feeling of reassurance when its products are always and everywhere the same.” Schlosser explains that uniformity is when people know very well what is going on and how to purchase items because everything is made the same way.

Schlosser also uses comparisons to support his argument. Schlosser compares McDonald’s to other major factors in today’s society such as the Coca-Cola and the Christian Cross. Schlosser explained, “McDonald’s spends more money on advertising and marketing than any other brand. As a result it has replaced Coca-Cola as the world’s most famous brand. McDonald’s operates more playgrounds than any other private entity in the United States. It is one of the nation’s largest distributors of toys. A survey of American schoolchildren found that 96 percent could identify Ronald McDonald. The only fictional character with a higher degree of recognition was Santa Claus. The impact of McDonald’s on the way we live today is hard to overstate. The Golden Arches are now more widely recognized than the Christian cross.” McDonald’s is becoming more recognizable than Christianity. It is also almost as recognizable as Santa Claus.

As I have shown, Schlosser has used many methods in his essay, “What We Eat.” The benefit of combining these methods is to further prove and explain his argument. He gives many examples and points to give us a better understanding of what is going on in American society. It also makes his argument sturdier and easier to relate to by giving readers facts. I find his writing style to be very interesting and graspable. I understood what his argument was and found it to be intriguing. Combing the methods of writing definitely was an excellent idea for this essay.

I fully agree with Schlosser’s argument. Fast food companies and chains are taking over the way we live our lives. All over America people can see fast food chains, especially McDonalds on every corner. Just because fast-food is easy to access does not mean that Americans should be eating hamburgers three times a week. Americans feel as though they must purchase food from fast-food places because it sometimes seems as though it is the only option. Americans need to learn how to eat healthier and to limit themselves to fast-food. Even if people don’t have time to cook, they’re always other restaurants that have healthier options on their menus to choose from.