Robert Reich’s, essay, “Don’t Blame Wal-Mart”, is an excellent example of strong and effective persuasive rhetoric. Reich relies heavily on passionate pathos mingled with powerful logos and convincing ethos. Reich begins his essay with pathos, an appeal that utilizes reasoning while playing to the reader’s emotions. (Weida and Stolley) One way in which Reich develops pathos is the use of words with extremely negative connotation. He writes, “the worst kind of economic exploitation”. (Reich) Exploitation is a word heavily laden with negatives. He continues with “checkered history”, “hammers workers”, “ hustle to attract”, “hobble free trade”, etc. (Reich) Reich uses these words with the tremendously off-putting suggestions to invoke strong feelings against Wal-Mart, his nemesis. Along with making use of negative connotation, he uses positive connotation to create a positive emotional response to his argument. He writes, “workers and citizens”, “social choice”, “our community” knowing the feeling of unity and familial sense these words inspire allegiance. (Reich) Along with applying the persuasive technique of pathos, Reich includes …show more content…
Ethos is the rhetorical strategy based in credibility. Ethos constructs persuasion based on character, credibility, and/or reliability of the author. (Weida and Stolley) Reich is the well-known former Secretary of Labor that served during President Bill Clinton’s administration. (Vidani) Secretary Reich was named by Time Magazine as “One of the Ten Most Effective Cabinet Secretaries of the Twentieth Century”.(Morris) He has written a plethora of best-selling books regarding economics. (Vidani) Reich places himself in this essay because he knows the value of his word with regard to economics. He writes, “I would like the government to offer wage insurance” and “I’d support labor standards that make trade agreements a bit more fair”.