Rhetorical Analysis of Homelessness free essay sample

The author, Barbara Duffield, Policy Director for National Association for the education of homeless children and youth, writes for CQ Researcher the article â€Å"Should federal agencies use the same definitions of homelessness? † Duffield aims to substantiate that federal agencies, using different definitions of the law create complications. That clear guidelines need defined for establishing what is best for families and youth found in a homeless situation. Justification for changing the definition of homelessness is provided in this article by Duffield using ethos to prove creditability with homelessness, logos to support why she believes in modifying the definition and pathos to create empathy the with the readers on effects of homelessness. Duffield proves ethos in the article by quoting Federal law, The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) criteria, and her professional credentials on the issues of homeless. According to HUD in the article it â€Å"†¦bases peoples eligibility on where they happen to find refuge: with very few exceptions, HUD limits homeless assistance to people who are on the street or are fortunate enough to have found a shelter bed. We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetorical Analysis of Homelessness or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page † (2013, para. 2) and â€Å"Under federal law, public schools, Head Start programs, and runaway-youth programs include families and youths in these living situations in their definition of homelessness. † (2013, para. 4). In her article, Duffield uses regulations quoted from different agencies to show the inherent conflict in these separate definitions. By examining how these laws, affect homeless individuals she then suggestions how federal laws need to change. Duffield is the Policy Director of the National Association for the education of homeless children and youth, dealing with the homeless on a daily occurrence allows her to see the illogical scenario’s these differences can create. By her use of ethos, Duffield establishes her credibility regarding the homeless issues. Duffield uses logos to show why she believes that all federal agencies should use the same definitions for homelessness. The use of research in the article shows â€Å"†¦brain development makes clear that adverse experiences in childhood can have lifelong impacts on physical and mental health. † (2013, para. 7). Duffield makes a clear appeal that homelessness needs addressed to prevent the housing issues with youth, children, and that there are potentially greater risks for the future. She then goes on to show that if the same definition were used by all federal agencies â€Å"†¦then, with these homeless people eligible for assistance, local communities can assess peoples relative needs, considering factors such as income, employability, barriers to housing, illness, disability and childrens developmental delays† (2013, para. 5). By Duffield, using such statements she proves that changes with the law can help in many ways. The use of exhibits shows why she believes that all federal agencies should use the same definitions for homelessness. The author creates pathos by exposing the reader to whom and how conditions impact families and youth. Duffield writes: Who are these families and youths? A parent struggling with mental illness, caring for three young children with significant developmental delays, moving between motels because there are no shelters in the community. A 17-year-old kicked out of his home, staying with friends of friends, raped by the apartment owner, not eating on weekends, whose high school found out only when he worked up the courage to ask for food. These are daily scenarios in schools across the country. With this statement, Duffield appeals to the reader’s emotions and gives insight to how easily it could be someone they know or themselves. The author also uses examples to show how. (†¦These situations are unstable and often unsafe, putting children at high risk of abuse, health problems, and educational deficits. ) (2013, para. 3) The examples Duffield uses cause emotions to rise among the readers as they made a personal connection from the statements proved. By Duffield presenting pathos, she shows the audience the influence of circumstances on youth and families. In conclusion, Duffield provides ethos in the article to prove creditability by using Federal law, HUD criteria, and her professional credentials on the issue of homelessness, logos to show why she believes that all federal agencies should use the same definitions for homelessness, and pathos to create empathy by exposing audiences to who and how conditions impact families and youth. By all federal agencies using the same definition this would allow, families and youth are able to get the assistance needed which would help lower the risk of health problems from the result from negative conditions and a new generation of homelessness.