Analysis Of Alana Semuels Free Tuition Is Not Enough

Free Tuition Is Not Enough: Analysis of the Tennessee Promise

The article, Free Tuition is Not Enough by Alana Semuels, emphasizes the complications that come along with the Tennessee Promise. This program is designed to help, or so they thought, with free tuition to any high school graduate who attends a community or technical school. This is not an easy program to abide by pertaining to the downfalls, announced by Alana Semuels in the reading, but can definitely change a student’s college life. Alana Semuels reiterates rhetorical appeals in her article dealing with the information and how it was presented along with her images that are displayed. To begin with, Alana Semuels expresses an ideal amount of credibility in her article. She

Alana claims her issues by speaking with reputable sources that actually know what they are talking about and have had experience or professionals who work around students. She interviewed a research director at the Institute for College Access and Success and various students that are in particular situations. Semuels does not favor one side of the argument but rather provides her audience with the good and bad of the effects of this proposed program. Alana introduces the fact that “There are still other big expenses that the Promise and other programs don’t cover, and those expenses can make quitting an appealing proposition.” (Semuels). Alana backs up her reasoning with these trustworthy sources and leaves no room for her audience to doubt her, considering she expresses both sides of the issue and has a general understanding of students and the troubles that come along with being one. Robert Kelchen, assistant professor at Seton Hall University discusses school prices and explains “ Even with tuition covered, attending college is expensive. More than one third of students with Pell Grants..still have between $5,000 and $10,000 in expenses..” (Semuels). In other words, Alana included this source in her article to help express the idea that everythin will not be fine after taking part in the Tennessee Promise, because

Alana evokes emotion from her audience when discussing the load if students involved with the Tennessee Promise, and explains how exasperating it can truly be. She puts forth the effort to interview a particular student, Abigail Mitchell, and question her typical day to be “Her tuition is covered, but to pay rent, as well as help out her grandmother and five younger siblings, Mitchel works 30-40 hours a week at Arby’s.she also has a work study, and is enrolled in 15 hour classes.” (Semuels). Alana does not want her readers to feel bad for Abigail but rather to put themselves in her position and think of the hardship she goes through to support her family and what students have to deal with, besides school. This ties in with Abigail’s message, that failure is not an option, because she is supporting her entire family and no matter how much she wants to quit, she