E Pluribus Unum Analysis
A Rhetorical analysis on “E Pluribus Unum” In the editorial “E Pluribus Unum”, the author, Paul Krugman, questioned “Is America in 2013, in any meaningful sense, the same country that declared independence in 1776?” His answer to the question was “yes, it is the same and he convinces his audience that it is this way by using Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle, which has ethos, pathos and logos. We will analyze the editorial, and see how it is used to persuade people. By finding out how these appeals are used in Krugman’s editorial, we will understand the effect that the editorial has on different types of viewers as well as the author’s ideal community. The author appeals to different readers by giving them the information that they want by using ethos. These appeals are used as key elements to the author’s art of persuasion and understanding. Krugman is using these three appeals to persuade the reader that America is still the same as it was in 1776.
In the editorial, the appeal of ethos is used continuously throughout the paper. People often ask if the source of information is correct; after all, every reader wants to read the truth about something, not lies. The author brings his own ethos to the paper, as he is known for being a “New York Times” writer. His own ethos helps make his editorial, “E pluribus Unum”, more credible, as well as shows the readers that he is knowledgeable about the subject. It is a factor that helps persuade the reader to trust Krugman. There is ethos in the editorial when he uses history of the United States to reinforce his claims that, “America in 1776 was a rural land, mainly composed of small farmers and, in the South, somewhat bigger farmers with slaves.” It is ethos because it is appealing to the readers by using the history of the United States. Without the ethos in the editorial, many readers would simply think that either the author was not truly knowledgeable about the subject, or they would think that the editorial is based
In the editorial, the appeal of ethos is used continuously throughout the paper. People often ask if the source of information is correct; after all, every reader wants to read the truth about something, not lies. The author brings his own ethos to the paper, as he is known for being a “New York Times” writer. His own ethos helps make his editorial, “E pluribus Unum”, more credible, as well as shows the readers that he is knowledgeable about the subject. It is a factor that helps persuade the reader to trust Krugman. There is ethos in the editorial when he uses history of the United States to reinforce his claims that, “America in 1776 was a rural land, mainly composed of small farmers and, in the South, somewhat bigger farmers with slaves.” It is ethos because it is appealing to the readers by using the history of the United States. Without the ethos in the editorial, many readers would simply think that either the author was not truly knowledgeable about the subject, or they would think that the editorial is based