Ryan L.

Lone Survivor

LutTELL Me Some More

Lone Survivor: The eyewitness account of Operation Red Wings and the lost heroes of SEAL team 10, authored by Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, uses effective rhetoric from cover to cover. The book, as a medium for the rhetoric shared by Mr. Luttrell, puts the reader in his shoes, becoming very situational as the reader turns its pages. Luttrell uses all three parts of the rhetorical triangle to get his message through to the reader. Furthermore, he takes advantage of the rhetorical terms much like other bestselling authors do too. Overall, Luttrell’s account in rural

Afghanistan includes very effective rhetoric and was a great read.

Lone Survivor uses effective rhetoric because the book has an effective communicator: former Navy SEAL and current author Marcus Luttrell. Because this book tells the story in a first person perspective, the lens through which Marcus Luttrell lived, credibility is establish. Luttrell is an accomplished Navy SEAL (SEALS are some of the most trustworthy and correct men) with an impressive array of metals and the skill in combat to back it up. Furthermore, Luttrell tells the story and expresses his opinions in an eloquent fashion. Saying it right and saying it well are two things Luttrell does, specifically in the core of the book when he retells Operation Red Wings. Although the plot is militaristic and combat oriented, the author uses details in a fluid manner, not too overwhelmingly goory and specific, but neither lacking specifics or correct details. A great example is when Luttrell describes his relationship with the village elders and child after he is brutally injured. As a SEAL and as an author, Luttrell explains the bond he established in great detail and how he established this bond, using the skills he learned in BUD/S to do. However, not all people agree that Luttrell was an effective communicator. Luttrell is a SEAL, not an accomplished author and his credibility as a writer is often challenged. Although he has a college degree, he lacks the English and writing skills other authors have. But, in my mind, Luttrell is effective as an author primarily because Lone Survivor is a firsthand account,

which he remembers in detail.

Marcus Luttrell uses effective rhetoric in Lone Survivor because he recognizes the four keys of the rhetorical situation. Luttrell exposes the exigence of Operation Red Wings and explains why the SEALs had to do what they did. Prior to going into detail about the operation, Lutrell briefs the issue to the audience in a biased but informative manner: Ahmad Shah and his militia has full control of Nangahar and ignores the demands from the Afghan parliament. Lutrell acts as more of documentarian than an author when he explains the purpose of the mission: to wipe out the ACM and Shah. This sort of lecture on what and why is very effective and adds to the rhetoric already included in the book. Luttrell also recalls the state of the world, not only among the SEALs but also among the Afghan community in Nangahar, who wanted its leader wiped out. But some might say Luttrell did not capture the state of the world because he was not a resident of the province Shah ruled; he did not fully understand the circumstance. However, SEALs and Luttrell are in direct contact with the Afghan villagers where Shah’s wrath is seen. Luttrell understands and sees firsthand the lack of progress seen in Nangahar and the elders’ frustration with Shah. Critics might also argue that Luttrell’s rhetoric is ineffective because of his bias as a SEAL. He sees the state of the audience and the exigence differently than the readers of the book due. However, I would disagree with this claim because the authors account puts the reader in the shoes of Mr. Luttrell and the American people. This is a prime example of effective rhetoric because Lone Survivor includes a rational exchange of opposing viewpoints, not only Luttrell’s viewpoints.

Pluto described rhetoric as the art of winning the soul by discourse. Marcus Luttrell’s story of being a lone survivor fulfills all the requirements as a medium. He not only is an effective communicator but also an effective author because he understands and exposes all parts of the rhetorical situation. Lone  Survivor was both a great book and used effective rhetoric to satisfy its readers.