Fast Food

      In Eric Schlosser's essay "What We Eat, " he argues how the fast food industry has taken over America. Eating at a fast food joint has become a regular part of our lives.  The food from these restaurants are inexpensive, the wait time may be about 3-5 minutes, and it tastes great; So what could possibly be wrong ? Well Schlosser shows us how it changed society and how the food affects us. Schlosser used several different methods in his essay.

      One method Schlosser used was comparison. An example of this was when he mentioned how Mcdonalds had beat coca cola in advertising which was actually the number one company before. He also compares how most of our money was spent a generation ago, to now. "A generation ago, three-quarters of the money used to buy food in the United States was spent to prepare meals at home. Today about half of the money used to buy food is spent at restaurants -mainly at fast food restaurants." This shows how Americans have changed because before meals were cooked at home and now no one seems to have the time to do that anymore.

      Another method Schlosser used was description. "...full of thick juicy burgers and long golden fries , rarely mentions where these foods come from nowadays or what ingredients they contain." (671).  He describes the appearance and texture of the food which are a huge reason people are attracted to the food not realizing what's really in it or where it came from. Schlosser also descriptively describes an average person walking into a fast food restaurant and placing an order. "Pull open the glass door, feel the rush of cool air, walk in, get on line, study the backlit  color photographs above the counter, place your order, hand over a few dollars, watch teenagers in uniforms pushing various buttons, and moments later take hold of a plastic tray full of food wrapped in colored paper and cardboard." (667-68). He shows how normal and easy it has become to get food in just a short amount of time.
      Schlosser also uses the method of process analysis when he mentions the step by step process on how one can effortlessly order food. "Pull open the glass door, feel the rush of cool air, walk in, get on line, study the backlit  color photographs above the counter, place your order, hand over a few dollars, watch teenagers in uniforms pushing various buttons, and moments later take hold of a plastic tray full of food wrapped in colored paper and cardboard." (667-68). Just a couple of steps is all you need in order to obtain a meal to fill your up your stomach. 

      By using several different methods in his essay, he made his argument much more stronger and stuffed with a plethora of facts and details. It definitely makes this writing piece more informative  and interesting. I feel that incorporating several different writing techniques is a great way to tie the essay together. Although,I feel that he could have included what really is inside the food that we eat,how it is made and what about it is about it that is so unhealthy. I agree with Schlosser's argument. The fast food industry has swept the nation like a giant plague. It's everywhere we go and has become a part of our daily lives. Sure the food tastes great and it is affordable, but does that really mean that it is right to consume them? I don't think so and I believe that we should all go for more healthier options, like maybe eat at home for once.