Question

If we leave out our tortillas – and by that I mean the language, history, cultural values and themes of our literature – the very culture we’re portraying will die. Publishing has often forced us to do just that. Trade publishers who control publishing in this country continue to have a very narrow view of the literature of this country. At a time when multicultural diversity is challenging the literary canon, the major publishers still are slow to respond to the literary output of Chicano writers. After twenty-five years of contemporary Chicano writings, there are still only three or four Chicano writers who publish with the big trade publishers.

—“Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry,”
Rudolfo Anaya

Why is the statistical fact presented in this passage an effective appeal to logos?
A. It contrasts the vast number of years for which Chicano authors have been writing with the small number of authors who are accepted by big publishers.

B. It provides a precise number of Chicano authors who have made an impact on large publishing houses.

C. It suggests logical reasons for why Chicano writers have been writing for the past twenty-five years.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option A. It contrasts the vast number of years for which Chicano authors have been writing with the small number of authors who are accepted by big publishers.

Anaya's intent with this passage is to denounce the unwillingness of big publishing companies to accept american writers of mexican descent (Chicanos) in their ranks given the cultural implications encountered inside the works of these authors (Mexican culture). The statistical fact presenting a minimal number of these authors participating in big publishing companies serves as evidence to support Anaya's claim, inferring there could be many more authors working for these companies without affecting their reputations.

Answer 2

Answer:

. It contrasts the vast number of years for which Chicano authors have been writing with the small number of authors who are accepted by big publishers.