Analysis Of Khadijah Williams 'Article From Homelessness To Harvard'

A drastic change like going from homelessness to Harvard gives us the impression that anything is possible. Author Khadijah Williams wrote an empowering article published on January 10, 2023, named “I went from homeless to Harvard, learning lessons that can help others.” This strong accomplishment explained in the article leaves us with the thought that if she can do it, I can do it too. Although that is not what author Khadijah Williams primarily meant, she leaves us with a statement stating that we must not make exceptions from achieving success regardless of generational poverty. Williams creates this argument by presenting an appeal to emotion, pathos, by telling her own story and further strengthening her statement by using her credibility

She moves to connecting her experience to point out the experience of a homeless student in the educational system. Williams points out her exception to the loss of the American life lottery. Becoming a Harvard graduate, an advocate for homeless youth, and a professional in family engagement, Williams addresses a concern in the myth that “anyone in our country can achieve success if they simply want it enough and work hard enough,” and the faults it has. Using her education Williams looks to change the oppression generational poverty students face. Ending the article, Williams writes on practical solutions to change the impact on “communities and generations to

Thos is a method of persuasion by having credibility. To achieve credibility the author must contain a character she is trying to display in the message. A potential drawback from using ethos is the status of authority. If the audience does not believe the achievements or authority of the author is not credible, the argument can be dismissed. However, in the article, Williams does an excellent job in mentioning her credibility. She mentions she is a "Harvard graduate, a nationally recognized advocate for homeless youth and an education professional supporting family engagement in a network of charter public schools.” She even goes further and mentions a credible humanitarian most people are aware of, Oprah. By mentioning her professional achievements, she proves that she contains ethical and honest opinions regarding her message. Such statements from a prestigious position let the audience know that she is experienced with what she teaches. She has also been in the homeless youth position she aids. She knows first-hand the experiences and struggles homeless youth have which gives her credibility. This credibility strengthens and encourages her previous appeal. Further strengthening her argument, she enters a reasoning connected to another