Non-Fiction Critical Analysis: Upfront

     This past week I read an interesting article in Upfront Magazine.  The article called, “Are We Running Out Of Chocolate?” by Kathy Wilmore focuses on the current idea that problems in the chocolate industry could make the beloved dessert scarce.  The overall main idea of the text is that many variables, such as unfair labor and the tedious process of making chocolate are causing production to fall behind and a new demand for the sweet.  The author presents this main idea by using several structure and detailing techniques.  
  First, the author includes insets or little fact bubbles about specific things.  The one called “A Brief History of Chocolate” shows how the consumption and production of chocolate has changed over time.  And the one labeled “Slaves to Chocolate” helps us become aware of the issue of children and poor families doing tough illegal chocolate farming.  Second, the author includes many specific statistics and facts that allow the reader to recognize that this is a new and growing issue.  For instance, a chocolate colored fact bubble it reads, “West Africa produces 70% of the world’s chocolate.”  Furthermore, the author’s tone is less of a neutral attitude but a warning one. I believe this is so because she wants us to focus on this issue and the dangers of the chocolate process.  This connects to the main idea because that type of tone is almost evidence in itself.  What I mean by that is a warning tone has a greater effect on the reader than a neutral tone, therefore helping the reader become even more aware of the central idea.

  In addition, to helping readers easily access the main idea the author must also try and make us think or feel a certain way.   Ms. Wilmore wanted us to feel motivated to help others be aware of this issue that we created.  In order to achieve this, the author used a variety of craft moves. One thing the author does is provide us with examples of how to help the cause.  She suggests buying coffee that is fair trade and to support scientific research to develop more cacao trees that produce more efficiently.  Another thing she does is list all the cons to a chocolate shortage.  A reader’s imagination can go scary places in terms of describing a world without America’s favorite dessert.  Another thing to consider is how she provides us with statistics about how America is taking advantage of the industry.  It’s almost to guilt us into a search for change.  She goes, “Americans eat about 12 pounds of capita every year.” Previously, she compared that to the 7 pounds and average Chinese citizen eats each year.

  Of course any good article or story has a lasting impression on the reader, a message can be relayed or even an opinion formed.  From this article I have gained a new perspective on chocolate and the way an industry can affect a product.  I now am aware of the horrible slave labor that occurs in West Africa.  I think we shouldn’t have children working on labor-intensive farms, and that made me curious about if there are any activist groups fighting for a change.  Also, we should invest more and more into either manually or scientifically developing a new way to produce chocolate, or a new financial and agricultural system.  While the issue of chocolate may not be a dire one, this article has made me see that there is no denying that it will affect us all.