Charles Perry Rhetorical Analysis

Robert Perry is arguing that there needs to be more colleges, universities, and community colleges to offer Americans the opportunity to receive a higher education, because people with a post secondary education are in high demand. He begins his argument by presenting an opposing argument from author Charles Murray. Perry then points out what is wrong with Murray’s argument, and presents an alternative idea.
Perry assumes that his audience will be not agree with Murray’s idea of completely eliminating most of the higher education student body and therefore presenting the idea that higher education is needed because without it we can’t lead the global economy, there will be more jobs that require a degree, and that the fastest growing job categories …show more content…
In his argument he mainly appeals to logos. He does so by asking rhetorical questions and by pointing out when things “just makes sense”. Perry makes remarks addressing his opposition as well as in support of his position as if they’re are common sense acts that the reader should know and agree with. This is apparent when he talks about the fact that higher education is needed, and that those without a higher education won’t be able to maintain their current lifestyles. Perry is also say’s that it is common sense to that not everyone will succeed in a four year college. He is making it clear that they only need to receive any type of higher education whether it be community college or a trade school since some kind of higher education will make them a more productive member of society, rather than having no higher education. By doing so, he is also addressing the opposing argument that college isn’t for everyone in which he rebels with the fact that there are other options for them. Perry’s appeals to ethos come when he is presenting his argument for the first time and he gives facts from the U.S. Department of Labor. Since they are a government program it gives them a certain level of credibility. Another group that is mentioned is the State Higher Education Executive Officers. They too are a government organization, giving them the credentials to be useful to his …show more content…
The organization of this essay is important because it presents Perry’s argument in a clear, easy to understand way. When he is making his arguments he uses elements of parallelism. He follows the pattern of presenting an argument, evidence for or against said argument, and then the consequences of following through with that argument. In conclusion, his argument is effective because Perry takes a firm position on on what he is arguing for. He also strategically attacks the opposition in a way that leaves a reader with no other option but to agree with his position because he 's made the opposition look completely ridiculous. By even addressing the opposition so much he also isn 't coming off as overbearing. Instead he gives the reader a feeling of trustworthy and well roundedness. His use of logos, ethos, and pathos were also effective