"How Soccer is Ruining America: A Jeremiad," by Stephen H. Webb, is flooded with sarcastic and ironic claims made by Webb. Webb made his writing a sarcastic and ironic one so that he could use those arguments up against themselves., destroying all credibility of counterarguments, improving his own credibility. As a reader, it may be very unclear of what Webb's real opinion on soccer is, but as his claims become more idiotic, you tend to figure out that he isn't against the sport. In his last paragraph, its clear he values the sport and supports it: "I must say that my kids and i come home from a soccer game a very happy family(269)." Webb places puns, hyperboles and similies throughout the Jeremiad, resulting in cackles and rage. Making this Jeremiad hilarious and condescending. Placing hyperboles and similies into his Jeremiad, attracts his soccer lovers, keeping their attention. Webb did this to keep his audience interested and to appeal to more than just soccer lovers of America. Puns, similies, and hyperboles give this Jeremiad a sense of humor. Also, making the claims he makes so bizarre that the reader must keep reading. Like when he insults women, he says:" I know my daughter will kick me when she read this, but soccer is a game for girls(268)," which was an insult of intelligence. All these strategies are his most powerful one, taking the opposite side of his arguments.
Webb actually doesn't mine soccer, his kids play the sport. He makes all these arguments by destroying the counterargument and holding the attention of his audience in a ironic way. He may offend people in the making of his Jeremiad but he is clearly joking and does not feel that way about the sport soccer or them.
Webb actually doesn't mine soccer, his kids play the sport. He makes all these arguments by destroying the counterargument and holding the attention of his audience in a ironic way. He may offend people in the making of his Jeremiad but he is clearly joking and does not feel that way about the sport soccer or them.