Get The Keg Out Of The Frat House Analysis

When considering the history of Greek life, a clear transition can be detected. Institutions called fraternities, arriving to colleges in the mid 19th century, were established in order for students to expand their curriculum beyond the boundaries of their current one. Along with their primary goal, principles of brotherhood and honor emerged as lifelong relationships formed between group members. However, with the introduction of the chapter house in the 1890s, academics lost its prominence in the organizations. The new setting for the institution fostered a culture of gathering, which itself transitioned into parties full of libating and recklessness. In response to a further increase in this behavior, John Hechinger has written “Get the Keg Out of the Frat House” to elucidate the reality of today’s Greek life and propose a solution to the fraternity. Greek life has its appeal grounded in its ability to provide for friendship and opportunities for …show more content…
Out of the numerous truths, his most powerful example is “In the 1990s and 2000, Phi Delta Theta … lost three members to alcohol” (Hechinger 5). Any death should be a wake up call and with additional deaths mentioned even to the three that occurred in Phi Delta Theta, Hechinger effectively evokes an emotional response. However, facts also play exclusively into the logos appeal. Hechinger does not limit evidence to people’s lives, but rather extends his argument into economic problems as well. When analyzing where solutions have already been attempted, “insurance claims plunged 90 percent” (Hechinger 5). With a statistic, he proves that a fix is possible and is already a success, at least for the economic effects of banning of alcohol in chapter houses. No longer is the article just Hechinger’s proposal of how to fix alcohol in fraternities, but rather makes for proven resolution with real life accounts to back up his