Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food, was disliked by my fellow foodies of P4 and was discredited as a neophyte writer who cannot construct a well thought out argument. Some of them discredit him as a writer because they believe Pollan was making a general, broad assumption without defining what a “Western diet” is, giving numerous scientific facts to support his argument when he has no education in science, and providing no particular solution when he argues that we need to change our way of eating. However, I think differently. As I was reading the book, In Defense of Food I found that Pollan’s argument was very sound and very well supported by facts and various quotes of renowned people in the area. By using numerous examples in the beginning of the book, he made his conclusions indisputable.
“Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly plants”. Michael Pollan begins his book with these words that are central to his argument. With this clear stance, he argues that we need to end the “Western diet” which is detrimental to everyone‘s health and is the cause of damaging diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart diseases and arguing that we should go back to the traditional diet. Specifically, Pollan guides readers through three easy steps in his book. First, he clearly identifies what is food and what is not food but nutrient. He discusses how science and nutritionism has affected our eating behavior and health. Second, he explains the detrimental effects of the “Western diet” on civilization. Third, he provides the practical solution to getting rid of the “Western diet” and further explains his argument referring to phrase “Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly plants”.
First, Pollan uses varying tones and exaggerations successfully to make his argument more convincing. His tone becomes negative and aggressive on the matters that contradict his argument and becomes positive when he speaks of things that support his argument. This is clearly visible when Pollan says, “People eating a Western diet are prone to a complex of chronic diseases that seldom strike people eating more traditional diets” (140); “A hall mark of the Western diet is food that is fast, cheap, and easy”, “Traditionally people have allocated a far greater proportion of their income to food”(145). Also, Pollan says that the Western diet consists of an abundance of processed foods and meat, added fat and sugar, and everything except fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (89). This generalization of the Western diet is a good example of Pollan’s strategy. He exaggerates and claims that the Western diet consists of substances such as processed foods, meat, fats which he previously mentioned as being toxic to our health. To most of his readers, his solid argument and his use of various literary devices are effectively convincing.
Second, Pollan uses factual support of experts in the area to complement his argument. Throughout the book, Pollan’s arguments are almost always supported by quotes from experts in the area. In some portions, Pollan uses three or four quotes on one page; he is seem to be using another’s thoughts in his own writing which may make him appear less credible. However, his skillful placement of the words of experts actually strengthens his argument even more. For instance, when Pollan says, “In the course of my own research into these theories” (140), I was doubtful of his ideas. Similarly, I was doubtful of his idea when Pollan mentions how the increase in consumption of polyunsaturated fats is a major factor of decline in heart disease but realizing his claim has been supported by epidemiologist Walter C. Willette of the Harvard School of Public Health, I was then convinced.
Third, Pollan uses an unordinary style to develop his argument throughout the book. In the first two sections of the book, Pollan is mainly focused on teaching the readers and giving them basic knowledge that will help them understand of his argument better and accept his argument more readily. In the last section of the book, Pollan reveals that his ultimate goal was to suggest to the readers a healthier way of eating. The numerous scientific facts given earlier in the book help the readers to be engaged and to think about their stance on Pollan’s argument. Yet, the foremost role of these facts given earlier is to evoke the readers to think the way Pollan does. After having been bombarded with the scientific facts, not many readers will discard Pollan’s argument.
Overall, Pollan’s argument, a Western diet, which is detrimental to our health, should be stopped and replaced with healthier traditional diet, has been effectively convincing throughout the book. Not only because of his clear stance but also the because of clever uses of different literary devices such as exaggerations, varying tones, exceptions and unordinary structure, have presented his argument convincing manner.
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