AP Lang/Kelley The Flight From Conversation

As we continue to discuss Dave Eggers novel The Circle, we realize that Eggers warns of the
possible effects of technology, or better said, warns of what happens when we fail to
recognize the importance of genuine interaction between people. Although difficult at
times, language and emotion help define who we are as human beings. The Circle warns of
the dangers of forgetting we are human, even as some argue that we are already headed in
that direction as we share with our devices much more than we share with people.

As you read The New York Times essay, The Flight From Conversation, keep these ideas in
mind and be prepared to discuss on a literal and figurative level.

While Reading: Identify three rhetorical devices or style choices used to create an effect.
When you have completed the reading, use complete sentences to identify the element and
the purpose/effect.

Turkle uses We in the third paragraph to include the reader in the argument, continually
reminding the reader that everyone is affected by the flight from conversation. Every
sentence within paragraph three starts with We.

She also relates the anecdote about the child who wished he could talk to an A.I. instead of
his dad about dating, because it would have so much more in its database. This
anecdotal sentence highlights the absurdity of comparing human beings to databases,
emotional and subjective objects with the lifelessness of a computer.

Turkle uses paradox to highlight the contradictory and fundamentally wrong truth behind
our society and conversation today. She also uses oxymoron like alone together to further
show this. Our mind identifies something as completely wrong but we also realize that this
idea is the reality, and we realize how wrong the reality is (from the authors point of view).

Example: Faulkner slows the sentence down by layering participial phrases (pacing me,
dragging its head) that modify shadow. His use of the phrases literally slows the reader
down, echoing the meaning of the sentence itself.

After Reading: Name the tone of the essay (feel free to refer to a list of tone words to better
expand your own vocabulary to describe tone), but also identify two elements that support
your claim for tone (what parts of the essay support your choice for tone?). Dont forget that
tone is the attitude of the speaker towards the subject. Perhaps you should identify subject
and speaker before you identify tone.

The tone is quite opposed to technology and is also a little superior (as if to say I know
something you dont).

Write an anecdote that reflects your reaction to the ideas in this essay.

I sometimes go out with my dad for lunch. One time we noticed that two friends were next
to us and one of them (slightly more attractive) had her phone out. We inferred that this
was their special time together and yet they werent even talking. The first one was
yammering away while the second looked completely bored. The second then proceeded to
pretend that she had someone to talk to by taking out her phone and fumbling with it. This
continued for a good 30 minutes. Then the food arrived and they ate in silence. Then they
left. My dad and I chatted about different things going on in the world and worked on the
crossword together while eating.