TOW #7- Modern Day Slavery (non-fiction)

On December 6th, 1865, slavery was abolished in America.  One of the leading nations getting rid of slavery started a movement which eliminated slavery throughout many other countries in the world, leaving slavery at a minimum as the world developed and industrialized.  Yet, almost 200 years later, why do forms of slavery still exist?  Journalist for the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof wrote an opinion and feature of a young Indian girl who faced slavery in the 21st century.  Kristof, a two time Pulitzer prize winner and Harvard University graduate, uses eye-opening facts and rhetorical questions to inform those who are unaware of modern slavery the harsh effects it has and how there needs to be a solution to end it.

Kristof interviewed a girl named Poonam Thapa, who at the age of 12 was tricked into working at a brothel and fell into the human trafficking system.  Poonam was forced to work every day of the year at the brothel with no pay, while she constantly got raped and abused.  Kristof writes "A new study suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder is frequent among those who have been trafficked" (Kristof 15).  This factual evidence supports the claim that these girls that are forced into modern day slavery are impacted for the rest of their life, even after they are free.  As well as the eye-opening facts that Kristof uses to draw in his audience of readers of the New York Times, he also uses rhetorical questions in the beginning and end of his article to provoke thought into the audience.  Right at the start, Kristof writes "When readers hear about “modern slavery” in America or abroad, they may roll their eyes and assume that’s an exaggeration. Slavery? Really? Modern slavery? " (Kristof 1).  As well as the beginning, Kristof finishes his piece by writing "In the 21st century, isn’t it finally time to abolish slavery forever?" (Kristof 20).  These rhetorical questions do not simply give the mind a "yes or no" answer.  They require deeper thinking for an answer.  They help his purpose by creating an active reading atmosphere for the audience.  They can think of solutions to end modern day slavery as well, allowing everyone to contribute and work together to stop slavery.
Kristof successfully informs his audience on the still occurring problems with slavery and forced work that go on, and provokes thought and solutions from the audience by using rhetorical questions.  His purpose to spread awareness of modern day slavery and including his audience in working together to find a solution is achieved.