https://theamericanscholar.org/blue-collar-brilliance/
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en
Essay 2: Evaluating Two Arguments
For this essay, you will read one article, “Blue-Collar Brilliance” by Mike
Rose and one TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda
Adichie. Your essay should do the following:
- For each author, identify rhetorical strategies used to support the
argument and analyze how these strategies contribute to the authors’
appeals.
- Evaluate the extent to which the appeals effectively persuade the
intended audience and analyze assumptions the authors make about their
audience.
- Analyze the extent to which evidence and reasoning support their
arguments.
- Use an effective structure that carefully guides the reader from one idea to
the next and be thoroughly edited so that sentences are readable and
appropriate for an academic audience.
- INCLUDE DIRECT QUOTES
Title: Evaluating Two Arguments: "Blue-Collar Brilliance" by Mike Rose and "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Adichie
Introduction:
In the following essay, we will evaluate the rhetorical strategies employed by Mike Rose in his article "Blue-Collar Brilliance" and Chimamanda Adichie in her TED Talk "The Danger of a Single Story." We will analyze how these strategies contribute to the authors' appeals, evaluate the effectiveness of their appeals on the intended audience, and examine the assumptions they make about their audience. Additionally, we will assess the extent to which evidence and reasoning support their arguments.
"Blue-Collar Brilliance" by Mike Rose:
a. Rhetorical Strategies:
Anecdotes: Rose uses personal stories of individuals from blue-collar backgrounds to illustrate their intelligence and skill. This strategy humanizes the subject matter and appeals to the readers' emotions.
Expert Testimony: The author includes interviews with experts in various blue-collar fields to lend credibility to his argument. This appeals to the audience's sense of authority and expertise.
b. Evaluation of Appeals:
The use of anecdotes allows Rose to connect with his audience on an emotional level, challenging preconceived notions about blue-collar work. By showcasing the intelligence and skill of individuals in these professions, Rose successfully appeals to readers' empathy and challenges assumptions about the value of blue-collar labor.
c. Assumptions about the Audience:
Rose assumes that his audience may have preconceived biases against blue-collar work, viewing it as intellectually inferior. He aims to challenge these assumptions and broaden the audience's understanding of intelligence and accomplishment beyond traditional academic measures.
d. Evidence and Reasoning:
Rose supports his argument through a combination of personal anecdotes, interviews, and statistical data. The evidence presented highlights the intellectual rigor and problem-solving abilities required in blue-collar professions. The reasoning is logical and coherent, effectively supporting the claim that blue-collar workers possess unique forms of intelligence.
"The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Adichie:
a. Rhetorical Strategies:
Personal Narrative: Adichie shares her own experiences growing up in Nigeria and encountering single stories about Africa. This strategy engages the audience emotionally and establishes her credibility as a speaker.
Contrast: The speaker contrasts different perspectives and narratives to highlight the danger of a single story. This strategy appeals to the audience's sense of fairness and encourages critical thinking.
b. Evaluation of Appeals:
Adichie's personal narrative draws the audience into her speech, allowing them to empathize with her experiences and understand the impact of single stories. By contrasting different perspectives, she prompts the audience to question their own biases and assumptions, appealing to their sense of justice and fairness.
c. Assumptions about the Audience:
Adichie assumes that her audience is prone to accepting single stories or stereotypes about certain groups or cultures. She suggests that they may not be fully aware of the damage caused by these narratives and seeks to challenge their assumptions.
d. Evidence and Reasoning:
Adichie supports her argument through personal anecdotes, cultural references, and examples from literature. By sharing specific stories and experiences, she provides concrete evidence that single stories limit our understanding of others. Her reasoning is logical, urging the audience to critically examine the narratives they encounter and embrace a more nuanced perspective.
Conclusion:
Both Mike Rose in "Blue-Collar Brilliance" and Chimamanda Adichie in "The Danger of a Single Story" effectively employ rhetorical strategies to support their arguments and appeal to their intended audiences. Both authors challenge assumptions about their respective topics while providing compelling evidence and reasoning. The use of personal narratives, expert testimonies, contrasting perspectives, and emotional appeals contribute to the overall effectiveness of their arguments. These thought-provoking pieces encourage readers and listeners to critically examine their own biases, broaden their perspectives, and appreciate the value of diverse experiences.