Rayna Chew
Mr. Soeth
English 3 AP
January 26, 2011

REHUGO Analysis - Reading: Essay
A. “In Search of the Good Family” - author: Jane Howard
B. In the essay “In Search of the Good Family” author Jane Howard suggests that no matter who we are, because we are human, we need a family. She also states what she believes to be the traits that make up a “good family.”
C. Evidence:
a. Pathos: Beginning her essay with “call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one” strikes at the readers emotions because she states that no matter what, we need family. Her essay appeals to pathos because she points out that if our blood family were to leave us for some reason, we would transform our friends into our new family. That point ties back to her saying that we need family, no matter what we decide to call it.
b. Logos: Although Howard’s essay is mainly focused on emotions, she also uses logos when she states the ten characteristics of a good family. It is logos because society has always made it clear on what they see as acceptable traits for those to be classified as a “good family” or not. Some of the traits Howard had in her essay were hospitable and affectionate, which has always been seen as the traits of a “good family.”
D. Rhetorical Strategies:
a. Repetition: Howard repeatedly uses the phrase “Good families” in her ten characteristics of what she believes to define what good families are. The effect of repeating “Good families” is emphasizing what she sees as the traits of those good families. The use of this rhetorical strategy also allows her to go more into depth on the traits and allows her readers to better understand and connect to what she is saying.
b. Tone: Howard’s tone throughout her essay is light and conversational. When she is stating the ten traits, she has a slight informative tone while remaining lighthearted. The effect of her tone informs her readers without forcing her opinion on them.

MLA Citation:
Shea, Renee Hausmann, Lawrence Scanlon, and Robin Dissin. Aufses. "In Search of the Good Family." The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing and Rhetoric. Boston, MA : Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. Print.