Rhetorical Analysis Of Mind Wide Open By Heather Mallick

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The newspaper editorial “Someone has to stand up for the gifted students” Heather Mallick’s October 2017 article for the Toronto Star, takes a stance on the topic on gifted programs for students. The author seeks to convince readers that gifted programs should be implemented in schools. Based on ideas and key writing concepts from the reading “Mind Wide Open” by Jean Prinsen, it is clear that Mallick words the article in a way that is easy for the average person to understand. However, it ultimately lacks sufficient evidence, and uses threatening condescending language to make up for her lack of sufficient evidence. Mallick’s argument is not difficult for a non-academic to understand, her argument is a simple concept. The piece appears in a popular newspaper. Thus, audience likely encompasses a wide range of individuals. The reader will either have knowledge on the issue, or very little pertaining to …show more content…

This may evoke an emotional response in the reader. Heather attempts to do this, though the message comes across in a condescending way that is not effective. The choice of language sets the tone for the piece of writing. Mallick uses the phrase “Trumpy competitive conflict-ridden times” as a way of fear mongering her audience. It is reminding them of the current conditions of the world, even though it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with her argument. Her statement “Who among us at some point has not cowered in a classroom, aware of being stamped as singular in some way?” is an attempt to pick at the reader’s own possible vulnerabilities and insecurities. In addition, Mallick alludes to and criticizes Noor Javed’s proposal regarding the halting of specialized high school programs to make her own look more convincing. Most of the article is disapproving the task force’s report rather than elaborating on her own argument. These implications may cause the reader to question her whole