University Writing Strategies

Research Paper

Objective Summary

Objective Summary of:

Close Reading

Close Reading of:

Feminism is Sensational Objective Summary (2020)

By Etienne Rutkowski

In an excerpt from Feminism is Sensational, Sarah Ahmed explores the irony and circularity of how the word “Feminism” (and being a feminist) is perceived. One of the main points that Ahmed emphasizes is that stereotypes around feminism and feminists perpetuate themselves. An example of this that she uses is the stereotype that feminists are perceived as frustrated or angry. This in turn is a conduit for frustration (as a blanket, uninformed, and unfair statement), and serves to prove the stereotype that feminists are frustrated, angry people. Ahmed also points out that speaking up often seems to become the central issue, instead of the issue being brought up. Ahmed uses the anecdote of the “killjoy”, where pointing out the un-nuanced (or even racist) perspective gets turned into an issue of ruining the moment for everyone else.