Rhetorical Analysis
In the article “Schools Kill Curiosity”, Wendy Berliner argues that the educational system stifles students’ creativity and curiosity. The author employs rhetorical devices to emphasize the negative impact of limiting questions in schools and to convince the audience of the importance of fostering curiosity in education. The article offers evidence, data, and research to support its claims and targets parents, teachers, and anyone interested in education. The author establishes credibility through personal experience and knowledge of the educational system, as well as by referencing other professionals(researchers). By imploring urgency and appealing to our emotions through the title, the author urges a change in the educational system. As of January 28, 2020, the feature piece article is out of date.
Quotables
“In one lesson she observed, a ninth grader raised her hand to ask if there were any places in the world where no one made art. The teacher stopped her mid-sentence with, “Zoe, no questions now, please; it’s time for learning” (Berliner 2).
“Teachers who concentrate on developing focus and good behavior because of the links to good academic performance, now need to take on board that developing curiosity could be even more important” (Berliner 2)
“When teachers teach young children not to ask questions, it is not surprising that high-performing students studied by American researchers in 2013 were found to be less curious, because they saw curiosity as a risk to their results” (Berliner 3).
Too much detail. Look at the example I passed out today.
NOw can you look at my example and guiding questions for Rhetorical ANalysis from the Assignment. Answer those questions and make your Analysis more straight forward. See the example on “Schools” that I provided as handout.
For the “Schools” article I copy here — from the handout:
Part 3 Rhetorical Analysis
The genre is a feature piece. The primary audience is teachers and parents of young children; the secondary audience is the general reading public. The purpose is to inform. The author’s writing style is objective and factual. She employs a logical tone. Berliner uses the appeal of logos by referring to research studies. Berliner is credible because she is the author of the book “How to Succeed at School. What Every Parent Should Know.” She uses the appeal of ethos when she writes that she is co-author of this book. She also employs pathos in the story of the innovative pre-school classroom where kids played with household “toys.” The classroom felt so ideal and fun. The Guardian is a reliable source because they were rated the most trustworthy online UK newspaper brand – ranked as such by 73% of regular readers. The Guardian’s values include encouraging a welcoming and open culture, standing up for what they think is right rather than what seems convenient, and aiming for perfection to serve their audience’s interests. This article was written in Jan 2020, so the information might not be current, but it is not too old.