Rhetorical Analysis on Surviving High School article

Rhetorical Analysis on Surviving High School article

The article “Surviving High School” by Tom Junod published in Atlanta Magazine is an example of a successful piece of writing in terms of the use of rhetorical strategies and the clarity of the development of ideas. The author seems to provide a valid criticism of the high school education system in the United States. However, despite the simple still intriguing title of the article, the content of the article is deeper than the mere reconsideration of the role of higher education in the life of the students. While the author refers to the overestimated value of higher education as a tool for achieving success and gaining better future, the author also tends to emphasize that the substantial part of the fault results from the people themselves. As indicated by the example, those people are either those are the individuals who are too weak to overcome their problems or the parents who tend to believe that their children can grow up on their own.

Referring to the article and its author, the ethos is one of the aspects that should be recognized in this case. Thus, Junod is a famous journalist who has gained several awards, which makes him a credible and a trustworthy writer. Besides, the author proves his credibility by referring to the case of the two boys that is mentioned at the beginning of the article. Providing an account of the situation with which he appears familiar, shows the readers that he knows what he speaks about and that his statements are not without the ground but rather have the implications in the real time. At the same time, to a certain extent, it implies that such a situation is not an exception but rather the rule. This fact appeals to the audience in terms of corresponding to their feelings and experiences. In addition, the inclusion of the reference to other professionals in the field, such as Babs Pirkle and Carla Northcutt, for example, is also a way to strengthen the argument and provide a more valid support for the claims.

Another rhetorical tool that is used by the author to prove his ideas is the pathos. The author does not simply describe the situation and the problem but rather gives a vivid account of the case of two boys and the overall situation. While stating “For some families it is a matter of life vs. death,” the author tends to emphasize that the issue that is discussed in the article is quite serious and it requires attention (Junod). As it was already mentioned, the primary claim does not concern the problem of high schools but rather the issue of how the parents disregard the problems of their children and tend to believe that the society should take care of their education and upbringing once they appear grown enough to spend their time on their own.

Additionally, an aspect that also appeals to the audience is that the author tends to write the article in a manner to engage the reader and turn the audience into the co-author. When Junod writes “Touring the halls of Walton High School, it is difficult not to be impressed,” he appeals to the audience in general, meaning that everyone could notice it (Junod). As a result, this approach leads to the to the impression that it is everyone that draws respective conclusions. With this in mind, the readers would accept the provided statement as the truth and not question its validity. Besides, the provided claim also appears an idea that can easily be checked, which provides another reason for the readers to trust the author.

Referring to the article and discussing an uneasy topic, the author still manages to stay objective and write in a clear and understandable way. The author promotes an understanding of the parents concerning the problem of the children’s behavior at school. He emphasizes that no one does not fall under the risk of reaching the bottom. The author shows how a student may go along all the way, starting from the unusual behavior and ending in rehabilitation centers that are “often the last stop before death” (Junod). In such a way, the author makes the audience realize the extent to which the problem is actual not only for the families that have to deal with such situations but also for the society as a whole. This relevance results from the idea that the community appears the side of the problem that hinders since it should take additional care of those individuals.

In any case, despite the seriousness of the issue and the high level of responsibility that the article promotes, it is delivered as a positive expectation that there are the solutions. The author claims that more attention on the side of the parents towards their children during the high school years might improve the chances of a person to survive. Thus, he offers an optimistic ending of the story of the boy who has fallen to the bottom but still managed to survive and now takes responsibility for his life. Thus, making an optimistic stance, he encourages the readers to look for opportunities and solutions and provides an extensive list of suggestions for the parents to deal with the problem and prevent their development.

Work Cited

Junod, Tom. “Surviving High School” Atlanta Magazine, 1988, http://www.atlantamagazine.com/great-reads/surviving-high-school/.