Certainly we must face this fact: if the American press, as a mass medium, has formed the minds of America, the mass has also formed the medium. There is action, reaction, and interaction going on ceaselessly between the newspaper-buying public and the editors. What is wrong with the American press is what is in part wrong with American society. Is this, then, to exonerate the American press for its failures to give the American people more tasteful and more illuminating reading matter? Can the American press seek to be excused from responsibility for public lack of information as TV and radio often do, on the grounds that, after all, “we have to give the people what they want or we will go out of business”?

Question

— Clare Boothe Luce, “What’s Wrong with the American Press?”

Question 1 (1 point)
What is Luce’s attitude toward the American press?

Your answer:
Question 2 (1 point)
How does the use of rhetorical questions help express this attitude? In other words, how do the rhetorical questions help set the tone?

Your answer:
Question 3 (1 point)
Write an answer to the rhetorical questions in the passage. Adopt a tone of sneering derision as you express the attitude that the American press can indeed be excused from responsibility in order to make more money. Use at least one rhetorical question in your reply. Share your answer with the class.

Your answer:

Answer 1

Question 1:
What is Luce’s attitude toward the American press?
Your answer:
Luce's attitude toward the American press is one of criticism and disappointment. She believes that the American press has a responsibility to provide more tasteful and illuminating content, and she argues that the shortcomings of the press reflect broader issues within American society. Luce suggests that the press cannot simply shift the blame to consumer demands as an excuse for its failures.

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Question 2:
How does the use of rhetorical questions help express this attitude? In other words, how do the rhetorical questions help set the tone?
Your answer:
The use of rhetorical questions in the passage helps to emphasize Luce's frustration and challenge the complacency of the American press. By posing questions like, "Is this, then, to exonerate the American press for its failures?" she invites the reader to reflect critically on the justification of the press's actions. The tone conveyed through these questions is accusatory and probing, compelling readers to consider the ethical responsibilities of the press rather than accepting simplistic explanations for its choices.

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Question 3:
Write an answer to the rhetorical questions in the passage. Adopt a tone of sneering derision as you express the attitude that the American press can indeed be excused from responsibility in order to make more money. Use at least one rhetorical question in your reply. Share your answer with the class.
Your answer:
Oh, absolutely, let's excuse the American press! After all, who needs informative and enriching content when sensationalism sells millions of copies? Isn’t it much smarter to prioritize profit over integrity? Who cares if the public is left in the dark about important issues, as long as there's a juicy headline to grab attention? It's not like we expect the press to be a beacon of truth; we just want our entertainment, right? So, why shoulder the burden of responsibility when pandering to the lowest common denominator is just so much easier? Isn’t that just business savvy?