When I began my education, my mother stressed college. She believed the famous line that numerous immigrant parents would say, “I want you to have a better life than I did.” That is the American Dream. Sadly, with the way the California State University system is weakening, I don’t believe the younger generation will be able to hold onto the promise of a better lifestyle. In the article “State of Emergency,” Jeff Bleich effectively identifies that California State University system, which sponsored accessible higher education, is no longer achieving that goal due to irrational usage of our taxes, illogical officials and their false assertions. Bleich achieves this by the use of rhetorical techniques such as ethos, logos, and pathos, to create
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The first rhetorical appeal is ethos; Bleich begins with a brief story of his transition to “California because of the education system.” Bleich speaks of his own college experience back in Connecticut and how he maxed out his financial aid and heavily depended on loans just to get by. Due to such debt, Bleich applied to UC Berkeley’s law school because it was the only school that was affordable. When he first began his journey, tuition was never a problem in California. He managed to get by and complete his education, accomplishing the California dream. “So as someone who has lived the California dream, there is nothing more painful to me than to see this dream dying.” (Bleich 8) Bleich takes the time to educate his readers with own personal story. This allows the readers to be convinced of his character; in this case to be thought of as someone who acknowledges and knows the benefits of California’s once great education …show more content…
He discusses how “political leaders mandated [longer] prison sentences” hence, forced our government to stop building or remodeling schools and begin building or remolding prisons instead. In addition, leaders have made irresponsible and irrational decisions, for example tax cuts, which did not form a wealthier state, but actually made us poorer. By using rational points that show cause and effect, Bleich sheds light to the main causes of why California’s college system is no longer as great as it once was. More importantly, Bleich persuades the audience to further agree and believe his argument by providing actual evidence that the readers are unconsciously ignoring. In fact, “Economists have found that for every dollar the state invests in a CSU student, it receives $4.41 in return.” (Bleich 7) Not only does Bleich provides statistics that will greatly persuade his reader’s to agree with his argument, but he allows the readers to use their logic and see for themselves the benefits that California receives when one commits in the future of students rather than
The first rhetorical appeal is ethos; Bleich begins with a brief story of his transition to “California because of the education system.” Bleich speaks of his own college experience back in Connecticut and how he maxed out his financial aid and heavily depended on loans just to get by. Due to such debt, Bleich applied to UC Berkeley’s law school because it was the only school that was affordable. When he first began his journey, tuition was never a problem in California. He managed to get by and complete his education, accomplishing the California dream. “So as someone who has lived the California dream, there is nothing more painful to me than to see this dream dying.” (Bleich 8) Bleich takes the time to educate his readers with own personal story. This allows the readers to be convinced of his character; in this case to be thought of as someone who acknowledges and knows the benefits of California’s once great education …show more content…
He discusses how “political leaders mandated [longer] prison sentences” hence, forced our government to stop building or remodeling schools and begin building or remolding prisons instead. In addition, leaders have made irresponsible and irrational decisions, for example tax cuts, which did not form a wealthier state, but actually made us poorer. By using rational points that show cause and effect, Bleich sheds light to the main causes of why California’s college system is no longer as great as it once was. More importantly, Bleich persuades the audience to further agree and believe his argument by providing actual evidence that the readers are unconsciously ignoring. In fact, “Economists have found that for every dollar the state invests in a CSU student, it receives $4.41 in return.” (Bleich 7) Not only does Bleich provides statistics that will greatly persuade his reader’s to agree with his argument, but he allows the readers to use their logic and see for themselves the benefits that California receives when one commits in the future of students rather than