Write a 1,000+ word rhetorical analysis of the personal essay, “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas (1069 – 1077). Your claim should determine if Vargas’s essay is effective (or not) based on his means of persuasion–emotional, ethical, and logical appeals (421-427).
Working it out:
After completing the Week 9 short assignment, you should have a good sense of Vargas’s argument about immigration policy and have highlighted three issues he has identified. This is a good start.
Next, write down what you see as his central argument.
Then consider three or more examples of ways he supports this central argument, and write them down too.
Then analyze whether each example relies on logic, emotional appeal, or ethical appeal. Write that down also.
Then decide whether or not the central argument and support are effective–and that will be your thesis.
Finally, organize the essay to directly support your thesis.
For example:
I might identify his central argument this way: Vargas demonstrates how US immigration policy creates emotional stress and debilitating anxiety in individuals.
Three examples: Anxiety about the California debates over “illegal aliens” (1071; paranoia when working as a reporter on the WA Post (1074); “exhaustion” when finally deciding to come out as illegal (1076).
Appeals: On first glance the appeals all seem to be emotional. There is no logic here, no science or medical reference. On the other hand, there does seem to be an ethical component as they do indicate good character and integrity.
Thesis: Vargas successfully uses emotional and ethical appeals to demonstrate how US immigration policy creates emotional stress and debilitating anxiety in individuals.
I would then directly support this argument using my examples and arguing the effectiveness of their emotional and/or ethical claims.
Please include:
A title that reflects your thesis
A specific opening strategy (150 words or more)
Thesis statement
4 or more specific quotes that support thesis
An acknowledgement (and perhaps a refutation) of an opposing argument
Conclusion/ summary
MLA documentation (in-text citations and a works cited entry).
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