MSNBC Published 4/11/2012
By: Scott Stump
When I read this headline I said to myself, "no way!" So I clicked on the link and read the story behind this man who professionally sharpens pencils and charges people 15 dollars to do it. Crazy I know right with the economy that we live in that someone would pay that amount to sharpen a pencil. The author states in the article that some people have done this as a gift for a graduate student, wedding couple, and a construction contractor. Rees started his business around two years ago and since then has sharpened 500 pencils for people. Rees has also gone on to write a 224 page book about how to correctly sharpen a #2 pencil. He got the idea for his business while working an office job filling out census forms and they discussed the importance of having a well sharpened pencil. As he sharpened his pencil or a trash can one day he thought to himself I should find out the best way to sharpen a pencil and start a business that provides this service to others. So that is just what he did.
The style and argument style of this article was a little tough to pull out. But it is clear that the author mainly wants to use actual quotes from other involved not his own. I would say close to 95% of the words are quoted directly from Rees, or other involved. The author sees the effectiveness and credibility value in using others words and claims than his own. His point comes across clearly, because he has done his research and may have had a interview with the man who started this business. The author, Scott Stump, isn't making broad or hasty accusations, he is just filling the article with valid claims made directly by the people involved. This to me is a very effective way in building a case.
-Anna Srock
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