Fridman's America Needs Its Nerds

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Fridman’s “America Needs Its Nerds” argues why it is important to not criticize “nerds” for wanting intelligence rather uplift them through their studies. Fridman uses vivid imagery, heavily connoted words, and a fed up tone to develop his argument. These elements help the essay keep on a straight path to the main argument on why we should not have, “values in a society that has only derogatory terms like nerd and geek for the intellectually curious and academically serious.”
Fridman uses lots of vivid imagery to purvey why it is a big issue. “It is high time to face the persecutors who haunt the bright kid with the thick glasses from kindergarten to the grave.” This statement shows a vivid image of a person getting tormented everyday of their life. It strikes a powerful depressing sentiment in readers and is effective of winning over the reader's emotions. Fridman also uses the imagery like the definition of geek, “ A street performer biting off heads of chickens.” This helps put into perspective of how “geeks” and “nerds” are perceived in the public’s eyes helping add to the argument of how badly nerds are treated.
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The self-standing sentence, “ Enough is enough.” helps the argument advanced in a way that everybody needs to change their outlook on “intellectuals.” It stands for the voices of the nerds and can create an empowered tone. This carries through with Fridman’s use of rhetorical question at the end, “ How long can America remain a world class power if we constantly emphasize social skills and physical prowess over academic achievement and intellectual ability?” This question adds to the fed- up tone geared to change and introduces a fearful tone that helps end his arguments with something to ponder upon. This use of tone effectively advances the argument by making people really want to fight for change for them and a
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