Analyzing Arguments: Community College Value

Michele·

Rhetorical Analysis

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At a Glance

Grade LevelHigher Education

SubjectRhetorical Analysis

Original Prompt

Oh, the hand wringing. “College as America used to understand it is coming to an end,” bemoans Rick Perlstein and his beatnik friend of fallen face. Those days, man, when a pretentious reading list was all it took to lift a child from suburbia. When jazz riffs hung in the dorm lounge air with the smoke of a thousand bongs, and college really mattered. Really mattered? Rick Perlstein thinks so. It mattered so much to him that he never got over his four years at the University of Privilege. So he...

This teacher guide focuses on the analysis of arguments, specifically through the contrasting perspectives of Rick Perlstein and an unnamed author regarding the college experience. The document outlines a structured approach for students to engage in rhetorical analysis, starting with a whole-class modeling exercise, moving to group analysis with guided prompts, and concluding with individual synthesis. Key learning targets include mastering rhetorical strategies, evaluating evidence, and constructing evidence-based positions. The guide presents various emotional and logical appeals, encourages collaborative discussions about educational access and personal experiences, and culminates in reflective writing and real-world application involving college decision-making.