Farhad Manjoo, Homelessness in California Is Dire. Heres How…

Essay 1:

Evaluating The How of An Effective Argument

Article from the newspaper New York time. Title Farhad Manjoo, Homelessness in California Is Dire. Heres How You Can Help.

Evaluating The How of An Effective Argument

the essentials effective written argument: how it is constructed, what techniques the author uses, and whether/why we are persuaded.

Your goal is to use the tools of effective argument to evaluate a contemporary argument from our readings in the initial modules of the semester. Choose any argumentative article from our readings in Module 1. Youll analyze it as a successful or unsuccessful argument based on the tools of argument above.

To do that, well look for the ways that the argument employs the following:

Logos:

• What choices are made by the author to make his/her ideas logical and effective?
• How does the argument employ an initial enthymeme (You will have to define this, as not all non-academic arguments (such as those in the New York Times) will present one that is explicit; can you conceive of a clear initial enthymeme in the article’s argument and structure?)?

Ethos:

• What is the clear authority of the author over his/her subject (convincing examples? information? background or preparation to assert expertise?)?
• Does the author use effective STAR criteria (is his/her evidence sufficient? is it typical? Is it accurate? is it relevant?)?
• What convincing and authoritative outside evidence from experts in the subject is provided?

Pathos:

• How does the author engage the readers emotions?
• What warrants are used to cause readers to feel more sympathetic to the subject, even if they disagree with the argument?
• Is emotion used responsibly, or is it false? Has the author used logical fallacies to mislead or persuade through false grounds?

Kairos:

• How does the author illustrate the arguments relevance or timeliness?
• What possible solutions are suggested or avenues toward responding to the problem opened up?
• The question you should answer in your evaluation of the argument youve chosen:
• How does the author present an effective/ineffective argument, and why is/isnt it so convincing?

Your goal in this essay is to create your own initial enthymemethe term we use for a sophisticated, claim-based thesisthat makes an argument about the authors success or failure to persuade an audience to believe his claims. You can agree with one of his/her themes, disagree, or show that he/she hasnt fully considered the problem and explain what he/she should have focused on to be more successful.

However, dont create a grocery list essay that merely lists logos, ethos, pathos, and kairos paragraphs. Instead, make a claim about the success of the argument in your initial enthymeme that you can prove, and use logos, ethos, and pathos as examples for your major points.

Discussion board that is part of my essay.

Discussion

Farhad Manjoo, Homelessness in California Is Dire. Heres How You Can Help.

Step 1. Primary Argument or Claim

In Farhad Manjoos article Homelessness in California Is Dire. Heres How You Can Help, his main argument is that homelessness in California is a serious and growing problem, mainly because housing is too expensive, and that regular people like us can actually do something to help. He does not clearly state one formal thesis sentence, but his main idea can be understood as this: homelessness is increasing because housing costs are out of control, and people need to take action by donating, volunteering, supporting housing reform, and treating homeless people with dignity. We can tell this is his main claim because he begins by explaining how big the problem is. Manjoo writes that there are now about 174,000 people in the state without a place to live. That number immediately shows how serious the crisis is. He also explains that homelessness is driven by the states precipitous cost of housing. This gives a clear cause for the problem instead of just blaming individuals. After presenting the problem and the cause, the rest of the article focuses on what we can do. This shows that his goal is not just to inform readers but to persuade them to take action.

Step 2. Ethos and Authoritative Evidence

Manjoo builds credibility by using experts who work directly with homeless communities. For example, he quotes Jan Perry, the executive director of Shelter Partnership, who says the magnitude of the human suffering in this city is like none weve ever seen. Because Perry works closely with people experiencing homelessness, her words carry weight and show that this is not just exaggeration. He also includes Bill Bedrossian, the chief executive of Covenant House California. Bedrossian explains that many homeless young people are working full-time jobs. He describes how someone living in a cardboard box or a makeshift tiny home under an overpass may still be working 40 hours a week. This example is powerful because it challenges the common belief that homeless people just need to work harder. It shows that even employment is not enough when housing costs are too high. Manjoo also quotes Margot Kushel from the University of California, San Francisco. Including a university researcher adds academic authority to the argument. Overall, by using nonprofit leaders, experts, and research, Manjoo strengthens his credibility and shows that his argument is based on real experience and knowledge, not just opinion.

Step 3. Pathos and Emotional Appeal

Manjoo uses emotional appeals in a calm but meaningful way. At the beginning of the article, he says it is easy to feel helpless and hopeless about homelessness. That connects emotionally because many people probably feel that way when they see tents on the streets or people sleeping outside. One of the strongest emotional moments is when Kushel explains that homeless people often feel invisible or unrecognized just completely abandoned or left behind. This reminds readers that homelessness is not just about housing but also about dignity and human worth. It makes the reader stop and think about how isolating that experience must feel. The idea that someone can work full-time and still not be able to afford a place to live is also emotional. It makes the situation feel unfair and more personal. These emotional details help readers sympathize with homeless individuals and feel more motivated to care about the issue.

Step 4. Kairos and Relevance

This article is especially timely because it is part of the New York Times Holiday Giving Guide. During the holidays, many people are thinking about helping others, so this is a strategic time to talk about homelessness. Manjoo clearly tells readers, You can do something. That short sentence makes the issue feel urgent and personal. He gives specific suggestions, such as donating money, volunteering time, supporting housing advocacy groups, and even attending city council meetings. Kushel explains that people who support low-income housing have to show up. This shows that change will not happen unless people get involved. The article feels relevant because homelessness is still rising and housing costs continue to increase. Manjoo does not only explain the problem; he explains why it matters right now and what we can do about it. By combining statistics, expert voices, emotional appeals, and clear action steps, he makes his argument both timely and persuasive.