Dan Rather once said, “A college degree is the key to realizing the American dream, well worth the financial sacrifice because it is supposed to open the door to a world of opportunity.” Society today views a college degree similarly to the way Dan Rather viewed a college degree: as one of the only ways to achieve success in life. Why is it then that they make it so expensive that countless students have to take out loans and work part-time jobs so that they can attend college without graduating with a massive debt? In their article, “Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission,” Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus ask the question of whether or not college is worth the cost that colleges are now demanding. The point they emphasize most is how
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That is the question that Hacker and Dreifus are trying to answer throughout their essay. To make their point, they employ the use of several literary techniques, including hypophora, rhetorical appeals, and reiteration. The title, “Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission,” is an example of hypophora that eludes to the topic of the argument before the authors have started their first paragraph. It lets the readers know that they, the authors, are questioning whether or not the price to attend certain colleges is reflective of the quality of the education received. The title also provides the audience with a chance to know if the article is relevant to their situation or not before they continue to read. Then, the authors’ immediately follow their use of hypophora with several questions and an application of pathos that draw the audience in. Hacker and Dreifus reference the amount of students who graduate with immense debt, often “six figures’ worth,” and that college is frequently one of the most expensive financial expenditures that a person pays over the course of their life (Hacker, Dreifus 179). This is a use of pathos that evokes fear in the readers and causes them to question whether or not they would be willing to take on that kind of responsibility if the college did not offer them everything they needed. Should they go to that college? Should they even go to college at all? How would they pay for college if they did not have someone …show more content…
For example, Berea College has students work 10 hours a week rather than having them pay tuition as their way of engaging all students so that no one goes unnoticed and they all value their education. When talking about Berea College, Hacker and Dreifus use logos to convince the reader that tuition free schools can be an excellent option and that Berea College is one of those excellent options. They reference U.S. News and World Report when they state that Berea College is ranked, “as one of ‘the best comprehensive’ colleges in the South.” At University of Notre Dame, the president, the Rev. John Jenkins, has proven that he can not only supervise, but teach and nurture as well. He has, “…taught undergraduates─ and personally consoles them if they are suffering a spiritual crisis” (Hacker, Dreifus 180-184). If more presidents were like the Rev. John Jenkins, colleges would be able to quickly pinpoint where students are struggling the most and how they can be helped. Arizona State University pushes students to use their minds by allowing anyone to suggest an idea that they have, whether it’s, “[g]ood, bad, smart stupid…” they
That is the question that Hacker and Dreifus are trying to answer throughout their essay. To make their point, they employ the use of several literary techniques, including hypophora, rhetorical appeals, and reiteration. The title, “Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission,” is an example of hypophora that eludes to the topic of the argument before the authors have started their first paragraph. It lets the readers know that they, the authors, are questioning whether or not the price to attend certain colleges is reflective of the quality of the education received. The title also provides the audience with a chance to know if the article is relevant to their situation or not before they continue to read. Then, the authors’ immediately follow their use of hypophora with several questions and an application of pathos that draw the audience in. Hacker and Dreifus reference the amount of students who graduate with immense debt, often “six figures’ worth,” and that college is frequently one of the most expensive financial expenditures that a person pays over the course of their life (Hacker, Dreifus 179). This is a use of pathos that evokes fear in the readers and causes them to question whether or not they would be willing to take on that kind of responsibility if the college did not offer them everything they needed. Should they go to that college? Should they even go to college at all? How would they pay for college if they did not have someone …show more content…
For example, Berea College has students work 10 hours a week rather than having them pay tuition as their way of engaging all students so that no one goes unnoticed and they all value their education. When talking about Berea College, Hacker and Dreifus use logos to convince the reader that tuition free schools can be an excellent option and that Berea College is one of those excellent options. They reference U.S. News and World Report when they state that Berea College is ranked, “as one of ‘the best comprehensive’ colleges in the South.” At University of Notre Dame, the president, the Rev. John Jenkins, has proven that he can not only supervise, but teach and nurture as well. He has, “…taught undergraduates─ and personally consoles them if they are suffering a spiritual crisis” (Hacker, Dreifus 180-184). If more presidents were like the Rev. John Jenkins, colleges would be able to quickly pinpoint where students are struggling the most and how they can be helped. Arizona State University pushes students to use their minds by allowing anyone to suggest an idea that they have, whether it’s, “[g]ood, bad, smart stupid…” they