The text begins with an introductory section "The Big Picture". This section sets the scene and is followed up by Mackay as he pins down each of the issues discussed and explores them one by one. Being a text of Australian attitudes towards many issues, not just gender, Mackay uses Turning Point as a ground for expressing his own opinion and challenging the reader to agree. It is hard to ignore the fact that while Mackay explains the women's movement and the men's response to it in careful, unemotive language, he sometimes interjects a personal opinion that pivots that reader's attention more towards his own that the change of gender roles has many disadvantages that come close to outweighing the advantages. One such comment that he makes is that "some women have decided to lower their housekeeping standards" in order to keep a job. This comment on the surface seems harmless, but his use of language suggests the decision made is a conscious one! Few women in Australia would consciously decide to lower their housekeeping standards in order to do office work; it is simply something that occurs. There is not enough time in the day to uphold all standards of work and in this day and age it is no longer solely the mother's responsibility (Job Security). In fact, Mackay goes on to point this out, virtually contradicting his comment in order to remain on neutral ground (Marriage and the Family). Comments such as this take the reader unaware because of what Mackay surrounds them with. This technique of embedding his attitude in the reader's subconscious must be potent to a certain degree.
Another technique of Mackay is that of discussion. His text is intended to be specifically that, so he uses a chatty tone to connect with the reader and make his points. He tends to devote parts of each chapter to the opposing sides and the chapter, Job Security, is no exception. Part of his chapter will discuss the woman's perspective of the change in gender roles, followed by a section that details the man's.
