Lost In America Rhetorical Analysis

In his article “Lost in America,” Douglas McGray focuses heavily on the problem of isolationism and a lack of worldwide perspectives in the U.S. education system in order to prove that changes in the education of young Americans must be made. “Lost in America” was issued by Foreign Policy magazine in 2006, which reveals that McGray’s audience includes American legislators involved in the elaboration of American curriculum policies. In order to support his argument for this audience of policy makers and legislators, McGray builds credibility through the use of anecdotes that surprise and shock his audience, hyperboles to overemphasize his points, and a well-elaborated call to action to encourage his intended audience. McGray effectively employs …show more content…
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McGray employs anecdotes at the beginning of the article to increase his trustworthiness in the eyes of American legislators. McGray shares that “Christina is a modern, multitasking, American 15-year-old. Christina is puzzled. ’The Philippines is an island?’ she asks skeptically. Ferrer nods and Christina frowns. I thought it was in China, she says” (McGray 351). Presenting this illustration about Christina’s lack of geographical awareness, McGray builds credibility for his arguments – showing American legislators that there is a very serious issue being disregarded, the isolationism in the American schools. McGray warns American legislators that just like Christina there are many other young Americans that are totally uninformed and misinformed about the world beyond the United States borders. With this example of anecdote, McGray smartly demonstrates to his audience that he is totally credible to discuss the issues over the American educational system by demonstrating more awareness of the critical situation of American curriculum than the average American. McGray reveals this story at the very beginning of the article to purposefully