Jabari Stafford
Professor Stephen Brandon
English 111
10/5/12
Rhetorical Analysis
“Decline and fall of America starts at the bus stop.” This argument was published on September 12, 2012. The author’s argument is based on the way America is pretty much becoming “soft”, in the educational realm. This argument is not considered completely persuasive to me because some parts are and some parts are not, but it is insightful. The overall structure of this argument is basically acknowledging the differences in the life of youth nowadays, compared to the upbringing of past generations.
He says the downfall of America begins at the bus stops. Parents are doing too much and being over protective of their children. He also gives examples of these actions. For example, Hinkle says,” going to the bus stop used to be a stoic ordeal, not a festive occasion. Your folks might march you to the proper spot, if it was your first time, but after that you were on your own.” He also said something about how parents are already outside waiting for the bus afterschool to get their children. This all ties into the reasons children of America are nowadays so-called ‘soft.” From his article it is expressed thoroughly that he believes there is a widening gap in the mental, moral, and ethical strength between generations. He addresses modifications in school systems to accommodate children’s safety and comfortability due to the possibility of recognized dangers of one drastic exposure of its existence. The luxury in some children’s lives cause them to be weak. Being they have not experienced enough hardship or struggle and have been pampered for the majority of their lives, the results show. The children who live in privation and actually experience hard times become fighters and persevere through their troubles. “When those of us of a certain age were growing up, playgrounds were surfaced with gravel. Sometimes even scrap metal and broken glass. It hurt like heck, but it made a man out of you.”
The overall argument is characterized as mostly logos and ethos, since it is mainly based on Hinkle’s logic, facts, and experience. Pathos was never used in this argument, being that pathos is emotion. If I was to show someone else this argument they would possibly agree with my analysis of the argument. I do not remember the author switching appeals much, he remained with ethos and logos throughout the whole argument.
In conclusion, I do not fully agree with this argument. Many individuals have been through their fair share of struggle, but it does not make everyone tough, or stronger than another individual. Overall, America is definitely not becoming “weak” or “soft”. This is not the strongest argument in my opinion. It did not have an appeal effective enough to lead me towards agreement with the author of the article.
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