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The written style of Silent Spring always has its intended audience, the general public, in mind, ensuring that anyone can follow the case Carson is making against toxic pesticides. Carson was noted for the literary qualities of her previous books, which celebrate the beauty and biology of the seas in lyrical prose, and she applies the same style here. The frequent evocation of nature’s beauty through rich, poetic prose, rather than in the dry style often associated with scientific writing, is specifically intended to inspire readers to become concerned with nature and desirous to protect it. The book also makes frequent references to history, literature, and popular culture to better contextualize examples and convey information to readers without scientific knowledge, ensuring they understand the crucial points Carson is making. As such, she incorporates references to everything from the Brothers Grimm to Greek mythology to the notorious Borgia family of Renaissance Italy in order to convey the deadly, insidious threat that pesticides pose. 

Carson’s arguments are geared toward ensuring that lay readers can grasp the complex scientific concepts under discussion. Carson provides clarification and extensive discussion on many key scientific concepts, carefully elaborating how pesticides themselves work and even explaining what was, at the time, groundbreaking research into cell biology and genetics. A professional scientific audience would not need these explanations, but they are vital for reaching the general public. Because the devastating effects of radiation poisoning were already well-known when the text was written, however, Carson was able to use it as shorthand for conveying the ramifications of pesticide poisoning to nonscientific readers without the same in-depth discussion. Furthermore, Carson draws on examples of actual pesticide poisoning from around the world to demonstrate the scope of the problem and juxtaposes these cases with relatable personal anecdotes. Carson was aware that the chemical industry would ruthlessly attack her and her book, so she meticulously cites her research at the end to bolster her case while avoiding the use of footnotes, which may have intimidated non-scholarly readers. In large part due to its style and presentation, Silent Spring is a compelling and accessible testimony of the harm being done to the natural world.

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