In the research paper “Plan Ahead - Set Our Students Up For Success”, Laura Moreno emphasizes the importance of organizations that not only provide financial aid, but also mentor and encourage students academically. There is no doubt she believes encouraging postsecondary education is important. However, her position reflects that free community college is not the solution to this. She presents and analyzes useful organizations with additional guidance for students, in hopes of demonstrating their effectiveness over handing out free passes to college. The author speaks for the benefit of students and parents to the best of her ability, giving credit to the opposing view of this topic and stating common ground is significant to maintain the correct tone. The writer of this piece takes a friendly tone by organizing her ideas in a mix of classic and rogerian form.
The voice of this writer is very much of a one with genuine
hopes for the success of all students. With this, the reader is most likely to
listen and connect through pathos. In the third paragraph Moreno gives a
summary of the opposing view. Here the writer takes a closer look at Tennessee State.
This state is one that has taken the lead on Obamas ambitious proposal for
tuition free college. The wittier includes the positive statistics that
indicate increase in enrollment, in order to support the opposing side. When
trying to find common ground and benefit for both parties all sides of the
issue need to be addressed. The paragraph can be broken into three piece. The first,
recognition that postsecondary certifications are becoming more necessary. This
point is valid and indicates the reader that the writer understands why this
topic is significant in the first place. Second, giving a current example with
concreate evidence that perhaps taking away the pressure of tuition will lead
more students to pursing college. The percentages here are clear and support
their side completely, letting the reader know the author has done research and
is not looking to shun any refuting points. Third, addressing the insecurities,
not just students, but parents have on paying for these courses. This gives a
tone of comprehension that can also appeal to the pathos of the reader. The approach
taken in this paragraph is to catch the reader’s emotional appeal to easier
present a helping hand in the proposal and persuade effectively.
Informing the reader about organizations that provide more
than financial aid assistance was the most important pieces to Laura’s essay. Presenting
specific information about the exemplary organizations like OHLAP and GEAR UP,
were done to once again let the reader know, that research had been done to
find more effective ways to promote college enrollment. In other words, build credibility
and appeal to ethos. These programs directly link to all the reasons the opposing
side wants free community college. Logically, accessibility and affordability
still are factors that drive these organizations. The writer emphasizes the helping hand of
financial aid still given, along with the academic
and disciplinary benchmarks that keep students on track and that help develop
stronger academic values.
With this in mind, we can see that rhetorical techniques,
pathos, ethos, and logos, were all used. All with the intention of persuade
parents and students that free tuition would not be nearly as beneficial as
these state funded organizations. The reader is left well informed of the
benefits for the students; to not only get rid of nightmares caused by tuition
but further more give students the right tools to believe, plan, excel, and succeed.
