What is the definition of the word "marked"? According to Deborah Tannen, the word "marked" refers to the way language is altered from its base word. In "There Is No Unmarked Woman", Tannen argues that in society women are marked while men are not. I agree with her claim because in society, there is no plain and "unmarked" woman who would not be judged by others. In my own personal experience, people would judge me for when I walk out with sweatpants instead of something that is considered more "fashionable." After reading this paper, I started to question why women aren't the unmarked gender in society even though they are the "unmarked" gender biologically.
Throughout the entire paper, Deborah Tannen makes an effective argument. She starts off an anecdote and descriptive evidence. This gives the reader a visible image and a greater understanding of the topic. It also makes argument more convincing because it shows how this issue is evident in society. Tannen then uses hypothetical examples about what people would say of a woman based on her clothing. For example, she says that if a woman wears clothes that are too tight and revealing, people will say that she wants to be attractive. The use of hypothetical examples makes her argument effective because it reflects the thoughts of society. Towards the end of Tannen's paper, she uses logos to discuss the chromosomes of a male and a female and explain how women are the biologically unmarked gender. This use of reasoning raises the question of why society makes women the marked gender when they are not. Through the use of rhetorical devices, Tannen makes a strong argument.
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