Bogost starts off his article not by immediately addressing the problem but by introducing the character “Amy” as someone the audience can relate to. He uses the rhetoric method of introducing the most important topic to the audience first in order to keep them engaged with the argument being made. In TSIS it is highlighted that when constructing an argument it is important to first introduce the opinions of the general public about idea you are trying to convey.
Bogost in order to cement his influence to the audience and prove that he is a credible source provides his own background information. He says “Among them is the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at Georgia Tech, where I hold faculty positions in the colleges of computing and liberal arts.” This helps show the audience that not only does he work with a group of qualified individuals but that he is dedicated to perfecting the system.
Bogost introduces the quote “For years, companies and educators in the tech sector have framed diversity as a “pipeline” problem.” and implements a rhetoric device outlined in TSIS. It is explained that when addressing a problem experienced by the general public you and generalize it to show that it is affecting a large scale of people. This one view has become the standard ideal but addressing it on a larger scale can help challenge such a widely accepted belief.
When the author includes the quote “(My colleague Hannah Giorgis, who also has a lot of curly hair, confirms that she, too, suffers a cranial pat-down every time she goes to the airport.)” He implements the opinions of others experiencing the same issue in hopes that the in the audience will feel a personal connection. By using quotes throughout the passage he is able to show that he cares about the opinions of others and wants their input when attempting to solve the problem.
When Bogost finishes off the article he ends by saying “Anyone who falls outside of that core group of interests are not being represented,” Webb said. If she’s right, then the problem with computing isn’t just that it doesn’t represent a diverse public’s needs.” When he does this he appeals to the audiences sense of advocacy and their need to feel represented in all environments. He asks the audience whether they wish to see progressive change and by engaging with them he paves a path for making changes in the future.
Right–here we see one of the key uses of direct quotations, to allow us to see someone’s perspective in their own words. Since Bogost is trying to build the case that Webb’s problems are larger than just her, we need these additional first-hand statements to supplement that.