In the introduction to “Survivor Skills: Authenticity, Representation and Why I Want to Teach Reality TV,” published in The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy, May Friedman, Associate Professor of Social Work at Ryerson University, argues that there is merit in conducting a class that utilizes low culture to facilitate in the education of critically engaged students. Friedman uses her experiences of watching reality television to validate the creation of a course that analyses reality shows and how they reflect contemporary culture and norms through the examination of representation, authenticity and audience reactions. Ultimately, Friedman attempts to convince her readers, both associates and superiors, in the advantages of constructing a course that focuses on the a specific aspect of popular culture– reality TV– using personal examples in first person point of view, sweeping assumptions, and a colloquial language that does not serve to persuade the reader of her credibility. Friedman’s introduction to the article employs the usage of personal examples– a pathos tactic that serves to diminish the distance between her and the reader and persuade them of the advantages of studying reality television. Along with the use of first person point of view,…show more content… At times it is unclear the purpose in using these techniques as they do not serve to aid in the influencing of readers, however, depending on the reader, personal examples and general statements may prevail. Overall, this paper, while interesting, appears to be more of a wishful fantasy than anything
