Rhetorical analysis on trashing teens

Introduction

Adolescents are not monsters. They are just people trying to learn how to make it among the adults in the world, who are not so sure themselves ~Virginia Satir, The New People making, 1988 (Quotes about Teenagers, 2016). Author of “ The Case Against Adolescence,” Psychologist Robert Epstein spoke to Psychology Today’s Hara Estroff Marano about the constraint’s that American youth have in “ Trashing Teens” (Epstein, 2007). Robert uses convincing facts that support his arguments and using writing strategies to get his point across. He attempts to persuade the readers to make a change in how we look and treat adolescences.

Summary

In his Article, Epstein goes in dept on what he believes about adolescents. He provides examples of the causes, effect and more about teens having restrictions when Marano is asking him questions. Epstein concludes by arguing that teens should have more options like work options, marry, sign contracts, etc. He isn’t trying to say they need more freedom, just more options to choose from. Epstein gives appealing arguments, but I would have to say there is some defaults that I would have to disagree. (Epstein, 2007). Writing Strategies. Throughout his article, He uses meaningful and strong writing strategies. The writing strategies he uses includes Connotations and logic. Some connotations Epstein’s uses are when he opens the Article by starting with a question saying, “ Why do you believe that adolescence is an artificial extension of a childhood” (Epstein’s, 2007, p. 1). He continues on describing that the culture collaborates in extending childhood. He later on goes on talking about the most people learning a in lockstep fashion classrooms tend to hate education for the rest of their life. He points this out because it shows that adolescence is forced to be in a classroom and it might not be all beneficial. Robert continues on describing how teens are competent. He goes talking about that “ We found that teens were as competent or nearly as competent as adult in all 14 areas” (Epstein’s 2007, p. 10). He uses connotation to emphasize and represent his ideas. Furthermore, he uses logic to help grab the reader’s attention more.

For example, “ Studies show that we reach highest levels of moral reasoning while were still in our teens” (Epstein’s, 2007). Him saying this is logical of what he is trying to get across, that teens are more capable then we might assume. Audience Analysis Epstein’s writes his article for parents and also society who believe in how adolescences are treated. Robert throughout the article uses strong effective style of writing to connect to the audience. He explains and tries to connect to them by saying, “ Think back to what it felt like-when your body and mind are telling you are adult while the adults around keep insisting you’re a child” (Epstein’s, 2007, p. 3). He uses this example to connect to them on their level and see when they teens how they He probable uses this example because he went through it and he knows how it feels and can relate to it. He goes on trying to connect and see his perspective saying, “ in some states they prohibit teens from entering a tanning salon or getting a tattoo” (Robert, 2007, p. 8). This example is exactly that Robert said saying “ they are restricted and infantilized to an extruder extant” this shows that it’s just ridiculous, a teen can’t even step into a tanning salon or get a tattoo (Epstein’s, 2007, p. 7). This what Epstein’s is trying to let them see he talks about things like this where they are restricted, and they should be able to have options and make decisions on their own.

Rhertorical Analysis On Trashing Teens

Genre Analysis

The article has a few questions through the article about adolescences, that gives the readers something to dwell on through the paper When Epstein wrote this article, he used familiar to unfamiliar to help them main important information. His goal throughout the paper what to make sure he could persuade the reader and let them know what he was talking about clearly. The genre for Trashing teens is an informative and persuasive. He is trying to let the readers know that there is something that needs to change with teens being limited. That teens are more capable then we might think. He says that teens need more options but no more freedom. Epstein’s uses a good variety of writing technique’s that readers more likely to open their eyes and actually take it into perspective. The article structure is important cause if he didn’t have a good structure he would’ve not been able to get his argument across.

Conculsion

In conclusion Epstein does a pretty good job persuading the readers. He gives them things to think about and put themselves in the shoes of teens and how they are treated. He uses evidence, writing technique, and good grammar to effectually get his point across. Even though Epstein’s did a good job persuading them and did a good job pointing out his argument, not all of his arguments are effective in making this article the best it can be. Adolescences need to have restrictions, so they know there are rules in the world, But I agree with Epstein’s teens don’t need to be that restricted. This why they teens are just trying make it among the adults in the world.