Rhetorical Analysis Of Richard Eskow's Tuition Free Higher Education

“Education should be a right, not a privilege” (Sen. Bernie Sanders). The debate over whether higher education should be free in the USA is a topic of ongoing discussion. In the article "Tuition-Free Higher Education Must Be Offered," Richard Eskow, a senior fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future, argues that higher education is an inherent right for every human being, playing a crucial role in constructing a more robust society at all levels. Eskow strategically employs rhetorical appeals, beginning with ethos, where he establishes his credibility and outlines a plan to transform the concept of tuition-free colleges and universities into reality. Furthermore, he reinforces his argument by referencing reliable sources such as the Organisation

He asserts that education is on the verge of becoming a privilege for the affluent and those whose parents have attained higher education. Eskow reinforces his claim by referencing research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), showing that only 29% of young people with parents lacking higher education pursue further studies. I felt disappointed as the author made a stark comparison with other developed nations, where private sources cover just 30% of education costs, in contrast to the United States, where this figure hovers around 70%. Eskow relies on information from an OECD report, revealing that individuals with education earn significantly more throughout their lives compared to those without. He argues that ensuring free higher education can contribute to economic growth by fostering a larger pool of specialists in various fields. Eskow uses such words and phrases as “exacerbated,” “worse,” “overabundance,” “burden,” “inequity,” and “unfair,” which gives an assertive tone to the

Per the author, “higher education is a very good investment” (Eskow). By comparing current student aid expenditures with potential government spending without tuition fees, the author shows that the latter option would cause lower costs. This logical analysis forms the basis for the argument that making higher education free is a financially smart decision. The argument supports the claim that barriers to higher education are an economic burden. The author refers to higher education as a "powerful tool" that can boost a country’s economy. Eskow presents a clear economic rationale, emphasizing the return on investment for higher education and the potential for economic growth through increased public spending on