Analyzing Literature

After reading this week's reading assignment I realize that it is important to examine any piece of literature you are reading.  It is important to analyze the author's purpose for writing anything because most of the time he/she is trying to persuade you to take up his side.  Take for example Kristof's article For Environmental Balance, Pick Up a Rifle.  In this piece the author is trying to bring to light the real problem of the overpopulation of the deer community.  He uses humor to lighten the controversial topic of hunting, but also uses facts to base his claims.  He goes on to tell you about deer population and the facts, as well as some ridiculous suggestions to solving the problem, like birth control for deer.  By stating suggestions that are obviously too hard to follow through with, he makes his point that hunting deer is really the best solution. In anything you read, you should examine all the methods a writer is using, as well as the purpose for the writing.