A Rhetorical Analysis: The Effects Of Homelessness On Society

777 Words4 Pages

Homelessness, while widely acknowledged, continues to be an ever-prevalent issue within society. This urged me to take action. In order to compromise an accurate, precise claim, I needed to heavily research and analyze the various aspects of this issue -- specifically regarding the causes of homelessness, addressing the stereotypes and stigmas surrounding it, and by finding solutions at a personal, local, and national level. Initially, I intended to include pathos as a primary theme throughout my sources, but I eventually found logos as a more prevalent, more central theme that appeared throughout each source. Presented primarily through statistics, logos stands as the central theme. The article “The State of Homelessness in America” provides …show more content…

The article utilizes logos in order to prove that when actions are taken to reduce homelessness, society can see improvements within many different aspects of functionality. The article evaluates how homelessness functions in the world of healthcare, moral and ethical situations, incarceration, local economies and tourism, and within shelters or supportive housing. Through this, the article gives the topic exigence and shows the audience what’s ‘in it for them’. (SHOW …show more content…

The surveys taken within the publication lack insight, and only prove to reinforce stigmas and stereotypes about the homeless, therefore canceling out my claim. For example, “...” The source is over 10 years old, leaving the data outdated and subject to alteration. The logos found within the piece help to prove the vast importance and emergence of the issue. It is widespread. SHOW CONNECTION Jon Kurht’s article “When helping doesn't help” is a personal narrative discussing Kurht’s experience managing a homeless shelter, and discussing the hardships and complications that come with helping the homeless. Kuhrt notably states that shelters “actually bred further cynicism and depression in those young people because many were ashamed of what they were doing - they knew they were profiting from the naivety and kindness of others.” Logos can be found within the reasoning and conclusions found by Kurht.SHOW CREDIBILITY Amy Taxin and Geoff Mulvihill’s blatantly titled article “Don't help the homeless, critics say - it hurts them” works as a counter to my claim. The article describes how the good intentions and actions, such as camps and free resources (toilet paper, showers, etc.) only enable and prevent the homeless from a desire to move. Logos helps to develop the claim. SHOW