Rhetorical analysis of an article Essay

In a blog posting from 2007, Pharinet asserts her beliefs about the pressing modern thing of whether or not bothbody should go to college. Due to the controversial nature of this topic, m some(prenominal) well-executed rhetorical strategies are unavoid able in order for Pharinet to convey her point and convince the reader that her transmission line is valid. In her article, Is College for Everyone? Pharinet utilizes many rhetorical strategies such as a calm, reasonable footprint, nods to the opposition, and an array of personal examples to support her parameters.Firstly, Pharinet uses a calm tone to show the reader that she is passive and forgeting to catch a reasonable argument in her favor. As is seen in the second paragraph when Pharinet states, . . . not every(prenominal) person should attend college (635), the author is able to make honest, blunt statements and proceed to support them with facts that support her argument in a very beneficial elbow room. by and by t his sentence, Pharinet continues by saying that roughly 50% of student who begin college never graduate, and how the financial and academic obligations given to college are typically too much for college-aged students (635).These supporting facts demonstrate Pharinets might to support her argument in a passive tone with straightforward facts. She is able to present questions in a charge that does not lead the reader to believe that she is confrontation, but rather that she genuinely desires to communicate her concerns with her earreach. She asks questions such as, If college is for everyone, wherefore do we rely on SAT scores and high school transcripts? Why doesnt every school have an open admissions policy? (635).Pharinet is then able to answer these questions in a non-confrontational personal manner Quite solely, because not everyone should attend college (636). She then continues on to give to a great(p)er extent explanations as to why her argument is a valid one, such as how many students at the pre-college level still struggle with reading, or how some high schools do not expect much academically from their students (636).She is able to state simple facts without appearing to attack her opposition or the group of people being discussed. Pharinets ability to fend for a passive tone throughout her article heavily aids the effectiveness of her argumentthroughout the entirety of the article.Secondly, Pharinet uses personal examples to support her points and to aid in her credibility. In the fifth paragraph, Pharinet accounts one of her own experiences Cs get degrees. One of my own students said this to me when enquiring about his progress this semester. Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar mentality among college students.There is no real desire for learning (636). A personal example such as this one adds a very tangible element to Pharinets argument. Before this example, to the reader she is simply another person writing an article and trying to voice her opinion in whatever way possible however, after this personal example of her encounter with one of her students, the reader is shown her personal connector with the divulge. This realization by the reader adds to the likability of the author and to the believability of the arguments that she is presenting. The presentation of this personal example also reveals new reading about the author.Due to this example, the reader is able to infer that Pharinet is a teacher, which would bring the reader to the conclusion that Pharinet has a personal connection herself to the issue of education. The fact that she is a teacher also lends to her credibility. Who better to discuss the issue of education than a teacher? Who could possibly be more informed on the issue than a teacher? Because of this simple recount of Pharinets personal interaction with the issue being discussed, the reader is able to not only connect more with the author, but the reader can also have more faith in her credibility.Lastly, Pharinet makes many nods towards the opposing align of her argument in the article, yet again demonstrating her ability to present a calm argument and support her points. Right from the start of the article, she begins making acknowledgments to the opposing side of her argument. She makes statements such as, There is no doubt that education is important.There is also no doubt that every person has the compensate to an education. However . . . (635). These statements demonstrate to the reader that Pharinet is not only aware of her oppositions views, but that she agrees with a few of the arguments that her opposition might make. Pharinet also offers many substitutes for students and parents, showing that she is not unspoilt arguing to argue, but that she genuinely cares for the issue about which she is writing.In the sixth paragraph, Pharinet suggests that some students should take a year or two off to evaluate the course that is best for them and to get mo re financially stable (636). Instead of just attacking the issue or blinding arguing her points, she is offering alternative suggestions that she truly believes should be taken into consideration by her audience. Pharinets nods to the opposition and her presentation of alternatives to starting college right away demonstrate to the reader that she genuinely cares about her topic and the issue about which she is debating.As with any controversial topic, arguments are very difficult to make without the proper use of rhetorical strategies. Pharinet clearly realizes that fact, and she makes great use of many rhetorical strategies such as her tone and her ability to maintain her credibility to her audience. By keeping a calm and passive tone throughout the article, she is able to convey her points and arguments to her intended audience much easier than if she were only being confrontational and aggressive.By adding personal examples, she is able to maintain her credibility and her connect ion to the topic and the audience. By giving nods to the opposition, she is able to yet again show her non-confrontational intent and focus on arguing her point in a manner that the reader will appreciate and to which the reader will respond well. Well-utilized rhetorical strategies are the key to any well-organized argument.Pharinet. Is College for Everyone? Practical Argument A Text and Anthology. Ed. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. capital of Massachusetts 2011. 635-636