Rhetorical Analysis

Melissa Graves

ENGL 1301-300

Rhetorical Analysis

14July2013

Erin Hill

Rhetorical Analysis Questions

“The Tethered Generation”

1. “The Tethered Generation” by Katherine Tyler was an informative article written for human resources professionals.
2. This article describes the problems and points out the differences between workers of past generations and the current generation just entering the workforce.  It was published in a niche magazine targeting human resource professionals, a particularly interested group in the evolving workplace.
3. Tyler is educating the audience on the differences between the brain development and the social development of this newer generation and offering practical advice on what policies and training programs human resource professionals will need to implement in order to transition these young people into the workplace.
4. The article discusses the constant connectivity of this generation leaving little room for autonomy and the over-involved helicopter parents…whose “helicoptering” sometimes continues into the workplace.
5. Tyler effectively uses evidence to support her recommendations to human resource professionals:  increase basic skills training; explain the reasons behind the processes; place clear parameters on communication frequency and methods, particularly DVI; provide more frequent job performance appraisals and other feedback; focus on outcomes; keep them engaged; and expand work/life balance programs.
6. The writer herself has a background in human resources and training.  She contributes frequently to HR Magazine.  Tyler also quotes research studies and esteemed professionals.  She portrays strong credibility.
7. Tyler does not employ pathetic appeals.  She is writing this article as informational.  She does do a good job supporting her suggestions with examples of behavior and reasons behind that behavior.
8. While there are always exceptions, which the author does not note, overall this is a generally well-rounded and informative article.

“I’ve Got Students Interviewing…”

1.  Bruce Tinsley is commenting on the state of lax in this coming generation.
2. This is a visual argument that has taken the form of a cartoon.
3. The author seems to think the newer generation has taken “business casual” too far.
4. The cartoon does have a strong logical core.  The author discusses his generation’s desire to institute a change in the stuffy leadership.  Not only did his generation succeed…they exceeded!
5. The proof is in the pudding, as they say.
6. His ethos is created in the way he connects with his audience.  They are an audience of peers.
7. By taking his argument to the extreme, he creates a pathetic appeal with his readers.
8. While a bit “over the top” in his description of the modern workplace, he does a good job getting his point across.

“The Kid in the Corner Office”

1.  Written by Julie Hanus, a professional blogger and staff writer for a magazine.  This article contrasts the different work cultures (ages) in 2007 when the job market was still strong.
2. This article appeared in a public affairs magazine.
3. Hanus points out the flaws in Generation Y’s attitude and work ethic while proffering explanations for those same attitudes.  She also points out that a meeting of the minds—somewhere in the middle—might make for the best solution.
4. Yes.  The argument has a strong logical core as evidenced by the professional sources cited throughout the article.
5. Hanus effectively uses evidence and backs it up with real-life examples.  She uses these examples to bolster her claims regarding the attitudes and work ethics of Generation Y.
6. The author creates ethos by citing credible sources to support her contentions and anticipates differing opinions.
7. Julie Hanus is very effective at creating pathos.  She uses specific examples and concrete word choices.
8. Her sources are reputable and she attempts to cover her bases when it comes to dissenting opinions.

“Generation S”

1. “Generation S” was published in a forum for discussion of religion, society, politics, and culture.  It considers itself “a resource for spiritual renewal and social analyses guided by the spirit of charity.”
2. This piece was an editorial for a national, weekly magazine.
3. The writer seems to be onboard with this being a generation of service.  She gives concrete examples of required and voluntary community service opportunities.
4. Its core is more of a pathetic appeal.  It discusses the emphasis this generation places on service in the holistic sense to others.
5. The author gives clear examples of its points of service throughout the article.
6. The writer projects trustworthiness through his/her use of facts and figures that are dispensed throughout the editorial.
7. All sorts of examples and organizations are discussed throughout the editorial.  Not just the service inclinations of a particular group but the shifting of society to be a more helpful nation.
8. The only refutation possible is that when speaking of a generation, or any large group of people, we are, by default, speaking in generalities.  There are no truths that will hold for an entire group: we look to the majority only to draw conclusions.

“Where Have the Good Men Gone?”

1.  The article was written by Kay Hymowitz, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.  This essay was published in the Wall Street Journal as an excerpt from her book, Manning Up:  How the Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys.
2. This piece was published in the Wall Street Journal.  The author writes on childhood, family issues, poverty and cultural change in America.
3. The author seems to express the frustrations of many women regarding the change in men today to a less responsible, less dependable, less mature version than in generations past.
4. The story shows the progression of technology, the economy and the digression of the maturing, successful male in response to the aforementioned.
5. The author’s use of evidence is strong.  Along with written evidence, she also uses visuals to stress her point.
6. The author is a fellow at The Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal.  She frequently writes on childhood, family issues, poverty and cultural changes.
7. She is very effective at creating pathos.    The use of pathetic appeals and analogies is pervasive throughout the writing.
8. For every rule, there is an exception.  The same is true for this argument, but the generalities are in order.

“Two Cheers for the Maligned Slacker Dude”

1. The audience is the same audience that read “Where Have the Good Men Gone?”  They were both printed in the same edition of the Wall Street Journal.
2. The genre of this piece is editorial.
3. Nathan Rabin, the author, feels that early twenty-somethings are misunderstood.  He points out that the qualities that most people view as “slacker” qualities, actually lead to success in unprecedented ways.
4. This piece is more opinion-based than logic-based.  As the author states, “It’s remarkable what you can achieve when you’re too young to realize your limitations, or even to know that limitations exist.
5. Rabin uses impressive examples as evidence, making his point really stand out.
6. Nathan Rabin is the head writer for “A.V. Club,” the entertainment section of The Onion.  He also authored the book “The Big Rewind:  A Memoir Brought to You by Pop Culture” and the online column “My Year of Flops.”  He is a member of the generation he is depicting in his essay.
7. The author is very good at using examples to create pathetic appeal.
8. The writer’s claims could be refuted by simply using a different set of data and examples.  The successes he chose to highlight were the exceptions, not the rule.  Taking the opposite stand would be easy to back up, and unfortunately, is a much more prevalent situation.

“Yo, Want to Meet Up and Chill?”

1. Garry Trudeau frequently writes about the political climate and his followers typically have a liberal outlook.
2. The genre is comic satire.
3. The writer is trying to show just how dependent society has become on our individual technology.
4. It is pretty straightforward in expressing the opinion of the author.
5. Evidence is implied in the conversation between the two characters in the cartoon.
6. Garry Trudeau is well known and well respected for his satire.  His reputation precedes him therefore providing him with credibility.
7. This piece did not particularly contain any pathetic appeals.
8. Again, there is always an exception to every rule.

“Educated, Unemployed, and Frustrated”

1. This article was written for an audience interested in economics and finances.  The author is hoping to educate readers on the toll being unemployed takes on the younger generations.  It is not just a financial toll.
2. This is an op-ed written by Matthew C. Klein, published in The New York Times.
3. Klein is a research associate in international economics and finance at the Council on Foreign Relations and a recent graduate of Yale University.
4. The argument has a strong logical core demonstrated by the way we teach our children about education and success in the United States.
5. Matthew Klein uses evidence from reputable sources and not only shows the facts in a financial light, but uses evidence to demonstrate the psychological and emotional tolls unemployment takes on the young and educated.
6. The writer’s educational background and use of credible data and statistics makes the writer seem not only credible, but sympathetic those affected by this situation.
7. The pathetic appeals in this commentary created empathy for the plight of the articles’ subject groups.
8. Many people think that the expectations of the latest generations are too great and that they are averse to starting at the bottom and working their way up the ladder as has been done for generations.  Many older workers feel that pride and hubris gets in the way of employment for this new generation of educated workers.