Analyzing the Rhetorical Function of "It Turns Out" in Writing
By
Munksgaard
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
The article analyzes the phrase "it turns out" as a writing device, tracing the author's adoption of the phrase to reading Paul Graham's essays in 2006. The author examines how Graham effectively uses the phrase to structure arguments and reveal insights, contrasting this with weaker uses where the phrase serves as a crutch for writers who haven't done sufficient analytical work. The piece explores the rhetorical function of "it turns out" in persuasive writing and its relationship to genuine discovery versus manufactured surprise.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledIt turns out that 'it turns out' does the sort of work, for a writer, that a writer should be doing himself.
He works it, gets mileage out of it, in a way that other writers don't.
I think not. It's not that pg is a particularly heavy user of the phrase—I counted just 46 unique instances in a simple search of his site—but that he knows how to use it.
That probably sounds like a compliment. But it turns out...
The phrase is a kind of rhetorical sleight of hand, a way of making the writer's own reasoning seem like an objective discovery.
You might also wanna read
The Oxford Comma Debate: Arguments For and Against Serial Comma Usage
The article discusses the Oxford comma (serial comma) debate, exploring both sides of the argument. It examines the grammatical and stylisti
deborahcourtbooks.com·2mo ago
Corporate Jargon Correlates with Poor Judgment, While English's Contradictory Words Showcase Linguistic Richness
Cory Doctorow discusses the correlation between corporate jargon and poor judgment, while celebrating the malleability and nuance of the Eng
pluralistic.net·2mo ago
The Linguistic Challenge: Translating Chinese Negation Patterns into English Affirmation
The article explores the linguistic and cultural challenges of translating Chinese expressions into English, specifically examining the phra
suggger.substack.com·5mo ago
The Power of Consistent Output: How Prolific Writers Achieve Quality Through Quantity
This article explores the relationship between talent and consistent output, using prolific writers as examples to argue that quantity and c
felixstocker.com·7mo ago
How Challenging Your Deepest Beliefs Can Unlock Creative Growth
The article argues that letting go of rigid beliefs and outdated rules is essential for creative growth. The author uses their personal expe
Creative Boom·9mo ago
Reflections on Identity and the AI Revolution in Coding and Writing
The author reflects on their identity as a writer and coder, expressing pride in their ability to teach and explain concepts clearly. They d
dusty.phillips.codes·9mo ago