Making the Case for The Making of the Modern Refugee: Analysis of an Effective Non-Fiction Introduction

Making the Case for The Making of the Modern Refugee: Analysis of an Effective Non-Fiction Introduction

            Probably no other author is more qualified to write a book on the modern refugee. To be sure Peter Gatrell has spent the lion’s share of his tenure researching and writing on the topic. However, his writing expertise transcends mere familiarity with material to the more important mechanics of effective communications. In the introduction to his most recent treatment The Making of the Modern Refugee, the author enlists the rhetorical tenants of audience engagement, posing the essential questions the work will answer, informing of the over-all content, explaining why the material is important, timely and relevant, and most importantly, suggest a solution.

            Gatrell “hooks” or engages his audience by relating current media coverage to historical data producing within the reader that there is much more to the story then what they have been told.

            This introduction exemplifies the essential use of posing question which his work will answer. Is the crisis episodic or systematic? Is this a 20^th century phenomenon? Have past efforts at repatriating refugees found success? Have we adequately considered the refugees own perspective? (Gatrell, 1).

            Gatrell suggests a viable solution. He writes, “…the most hopeful outcome…is to build cosmopolitan coalitions between refugees and non-refugees, promoting political debate, transparent justice, economic growth and social equality” (Gatrell, 13).   

            The author states exactly how he will organize his argument. He “proposes a distinctive approach to the subject by bringing the causes and consequences…within a single frame. And explain the “circumstances, practices and possibilities of…displacement.” Further, he will examine power structures, legal ramifications, and historical contexts (Gatrell, 13).

            Without an effective introduction to a work of this magnitude, no one will want to read it. The audience needs to be motivated to turn the pages, to agree that the book will adequately answer meaningful questions which need asking, and, most importantly, trust that the author will provide reasonable solutions.  As Gatrell has masterfully demonstrated, he understands the importance of adhering to these proven tenants of communication.

Works Cited

Gatrell, Peter. "Introduction: The Making of the Modern Refugee." Introduction. The Making of       the Modern Refugee. New York: Oxford UP, 2015. 1-13. Print.