REHUGO Analysis - Reading: Community

Samira Haikal

Mr. Soeth

AP English Lang/Comp

27 January 2011

REHUGO Analysis – Reading: Community

1. “In Search of the Good Family” by Jane Howard
2. In this essay, Howard clearly argues that humans cannot do without a clan, no matter what their status or condition in life may be. In simpler terms, every human being needs a family. Throughout the essay, she explains the characteristics that define “a good family”.
3. Evidence:

1. Logos - Howard uses logos to enhance her argument when she quotes, “‘If you’re voluntarily childless and alone,’ said the other Helen, who was from Pennsylvania by way of Puerto Rico, ‘it gets harder and harder and harder with the passage of time. It’s stressful. That’s why you need support systems,” (paragraph 8). In this excerpt, Howard conveys the message that people need some type of support system, if not kids to help relieve the stress of daily life. Howard uses this quote from a “social scientist” to provide simple reasoning, but also to reinforce her ethos. This evidence is effective because one would trust a social scientist in speaking about family and community, since that is their specialized and known field.
2. Ethos- In each of the ten characteristics that Howard presents, the information is almost factual. For example, "Good families prize their rituals" seems like a proven fact by its syntax, even though it is simply a claim of value (paragraph 16). The matter-of-fact tone that is evident throughout the piece makes these obvious opinions seem like known facts, even though there is not a recipe for a “good family.” This utilization of ethos and tone shows how confident Howard is in speaking about this topic. Her confident tone alone could serve as a source of credibility because readers often tend to believe someone who is confident in their work.

4. Rhetorical Strategies:

1. Classification/Division - Through dividing the characteristics of both a conventional family and a second family, Howard uses classification. She clearly separates the good family into 10 numbered definitions, which breaks down her thought with a deeper look into the common ingredients for what makes these two different families alike.
2. Extended Metaphor - Beginning this strategy from the first sentence and ending it in the last creates a tremendously effective comparison. Howard could  have used a similar word to clan like flock, group, league, army, or colony, but none would have the same effect that the words clan and tribe have because of the connotations that accompany them. When we envision a clan, we visualize a village where an assiduous, indigenous group works together to help each other survive. The concept of family and survival enhances the argument because Howard’s thesis is that a family is necessary and that one cannot do without one. With tribe, we imagine the former, or maybe a tribe working together to battle and defeat an opposing tribe. Either way, Howard uses this metaphor and imagery so her readers can continually conceptualize a family, primary or secondary, as a group in which the members help each other in life and provide support through hardship. Another reason this extended metaphor is effective is because it relates to both types of families, proving Howard’s overall thesis and argument.

MLA Citation:

Howard, Jane. "In Search of the Good Family." The Language of Composition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. 283-88. Print.