Rhetorial Analysis

http://www.splintergeneration.com/ 

The Splinter Generation is a literary compilation with submissions by those who were born between 1973 and 1993. It is an attempt to expose people who spend most of their time with people who are exactly like them to people that are nothing like them. It’s an attempt to bring strangers who have differing ideals, values, and interests together.

The niche that the Splinter Generation fits is, in their own words, “Our generation is split into a million different cultures and subcultures, whether they are religious, musical, literary, ethnic, class-based or consumer-based. Our identities have become selective and insular. We have each found the little niche we think we fit in and we stay there. As a result, we stay in our little group — or our little splinter — and we rarely talk to each other.”

The first essay I read was about a 35 year old woman who was quitting Catholicism. She writes about her experience in church as a child, to which I could easily relate. This is a great example of what they are looking for because it offers a childhood experience that someone else may never had, and other may be able to draw parallels.

http://www.splintergeneration.com/sleeping-in-on-sunday/

The second essay I read a slightly different view of religion. It was about a couple in their late 20’s/Early 30’s going to a modern mass that was pitch black except for flashlights, candles, and a choir. The author also had a strong upbringing as a Mormon. However rather than question his beliefs he mocks those of others.

http://www.splintergeneration.com/a-candle-in-the-dark/






Right now they are accepting submissions of interviews with a stranger, someone who you would never talk to due to your difference in interests.

"Find someone you wouldn’t ordinarily meet, or someone you disagree with on almost everything and have dinner, or a drink, or an email exchange. Record it, transcribe it, edit it down, and send it in."

No more than 3000 words, attached as .doc or .txt

Their submission requests are these really obscure eye opening pieces that make you realize how different people really are.