Rhetorical Analysis Of Only Connect By William Cronon

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William Cronon, in his essay “Only Connect”. The “Goals of a Liberal Education,” outlines the importance of liberal education and the benefits that come with it in addition to vocational training. Cronon says that such an education should be a liberal arts education that fosters links between disciplines and promotes the cultivation of the mind and the intellect. Although Cronon successfully builds ethos and pathos to draw the readers’ emotions and obtain their confidence, the use of logos can be strengthened with more evidence. Analysis of Rhetorical Strategies Ethos: Establishing Credibility Cronon uses his position as a historian and a teacher to appeal to the readers’ reasons and build their trust throughout the entire essay. As a professor …show more content…

For example, he narrates the social transformation and enlightenment of students through liberal education. These stories personalize his argument and appeal to a broad audience of learners interested in the social and emotional aspects of learning. Logos: Appeal to Reason Despite the fact that Cronon employs narratives and philosophical arguments to prove his hypothesis, the essay sometimes lacks quantitative evidence to back up the statement. Additional statistical data regarding employment or further education of liberal arts majors or comparisons with vocational education might help to bolster the logical part of his reasoning. This would be much more objective, calling for reason in addition to emotions and authority. Evaluation of effectiveness Cronon succeeds in asserting that liberal education promotes critical thinking, integrates different fields of knowledge, and prepares learners for a diverse and challenging reality. His ethos and pathos are well deployed here to boost the appeal of his argument in favor of liberal education as a relevant cause in the contemporary