Government Analysis

Rachel Suizo

Mr. Soeth

English 3 AP

February 17, 2011

REHUGO Analysis – Government

A. Articles read:

a. Middle Class Consumerism is Not Out of Control

b. Middle Class Consumerism is Out of Control

B. Articles Attached

a. Author – Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi

b. Author – Rodney Smith

C. Both articles discuss the issue of the consumption of the middle-class families. Warren and Tyagi argues the middle-class families are spending less or the same amount of money on minor items desired. On the other hand, Smith states the middle-class family spends too much of their finances on the pointless indulgences one may have.

D. Evidence

a. In the first article, Warren and Tyagi establish logos using quantitative data. The authors state income percentages a family earns to demonstrate the amount of money they are able to spend on their desired items. Ethos is established through anecdotes of specific people in the community. Warren and Tyagi refer to an interview with a stay at home mother about her spending on the family. Information from the government about household spending is stated to make Warren and Tyagi’s argument credible.

b. Smith appeals to logic through stating the government’s affect on a family’s spending. The author states, Congress has overspent trillions of dollars, which has added to our incredulous national debt,” therefore having no balancing of budgets which is reflected on families today. Smith establishes pathos through a negative connotation of the money spent in today’s generation. The author discusses the affects of over spending and the lack of willingness to work creating debt in a family.

E. Rhetorical Strategies

a. In the article Middle Class Consumerism is Not Out of Control, the authors uses classification and division to sort the different types of items families spend their money on. Organizing the different aspects in which the middle-class family uses their income shows the amount of money they save and the beneficial factors of the purchase. Warren and Tyagi uses exemplification to illustrate the money spent on useful items that will benefit the family in the end.

b. Smith alludes to the traditional values of Europeans and Native Americans. Using allusions throughout his writing to prove families today are not spending and saving their money wisely. The author also uses process analysis to strengthen his argument of the middle-class family spending too much on their desires. Smith states the effects of laziness and misusage of money through steps that foreshadow the ending result of the middle-class family.

F. The government incapability to set an example for saving money reflects on families today. However, middle-class families work hard and use their money on buying things they want and need, but save money doing so. The middle-class families use their money for their desires, but it is not the reason for their financial issues.

"Middle-Class Consumerism Is Not Out of Control." The Middle Class. Ed. David M.

Haugen,Susan Musser, and Vickey Kalambakal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010.

Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.

"Middle-Class Consumerism Is Not Out of Control." The Middle Class. Ed. David M.

Haugen, Susan Musser, and Vickey Kalambakal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010.

Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.