Rhetorical Analysis

Every piece of writing is directed to a specific audience but might be portrayed to be directed at many audiences all at once. Some use credentials to attract the majority, others use the logic of things and ideas and many times stress emotions to create a connection. At times they are compounded to be more powerful and credible to the majority. The article I read is "Dealing with Problem Teenagers at Home," directed to the parents of troubled teens to inform and broaden the capability of understanding their problems.

The excerpt starts out by explaining the basics of how problems begin, are solved and then newer bigger problems evolve. The use of logic helps create the connection between the writer and the parent because it's saying "read me this is how you and I feel affecting this but I can help you solve it this way." The author uses casual language to make it more of a conversation than a consult with a counselor or resource officer. "Boy, this is a major flashpoint. But don't you give up on the issue..." The emotional, pathos, is used throughout the article since its a topic that revolves around family and relationships, it comes naturally. On how to bond and act around the teenager, or how to cope with the problem until there is less tension. On this topic, not everything can just be written on logic or on emotions, their has to be some credible sources and in this case there are. "Dr. Lehman says that if your rebellious teenager would say out loud things like 'I hate this house!'... keep your cool." A character with such education will be credible most of the time but can be opininative about the topic as well.


Their are many ways to attract attention and subdue the audience. The three methods are obvious and straight forward. Some might work better than others depending on the audience. Some audiences might be as tough as steel or others as fragile as roses. The techniques have to be molded for the occasion and to suit the needs of the topic. For controversial topics like abortion u might go with the logic of what should be done or the emotional toll on the participants of such acts. Anything can subjugate the audience, you just need to know when and where to use this. 


http://www.myproblemchild.net/problem-child-parenting-articles/dealing-with-problem-teenagers-at-home/