Rhetorical Analysis-final

Ashley Meyn  

English 250

Rhetorical Analysis

Preliminary Impacts of an Innovative FCS Curriculum was written by Professor Sherri Lokken, a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher employed by Mississippi State University, in order to educate fellow Family and Consumer Sciences teachers. This essay’s purpose is to give current and future teachers an adequate background as to why their field of study is so important and how their efforts can impact the community in a variety of different ways.

Rhetorically speaking, Sheri Lokken uses a straight forward, precise, and factual approach to tell the story of an evolving Family and Consumer Sciences program in the state of Mississippi. The vocabulary and word choice she decided to use in this research article assumes the fact that the audience is familiar with the field and has a general understanding of the terms used. She does not take deliberate action to explain what different concepts are. Instead, she creates a solid foundation to base her argument off of by using concrete terms in order to create an effective and understandable message. Lokken decides to convey her message in a case study style report. She begins the article by stating the issues that she has noticed from her observations during her research period. In her opening paragraph, the author uses verbs such as will and need in order to solidify her view on the matter. Using verbs such as these can have a very effective outcome and can resonate with the readers in more powerful manner than other more passive verbs.  In the middle of the essay, it explains what the state of Mississippi was struggling with in terms of teen issues. Lokken deliberately states each issue and outlines all of the matters that caused the problem and how each problem has in turn effected those involved. The article then explains the house bill that was passed and how the bills measures took effect and changed the way FCS classes are taught in the state of Mississippi. The outcome reflected the success of the new bill and proved that via correct training and hard work, change is possible. This validates the idea that it is aimed at Family and Consumer Sciences teachers because it explains why we need these classes and teachers in the U.S. curriculum. On page three, the essay thoroughly describes the course development and new policies regarding facilities, equipment, teacher training, and program evaluation. This is information that would not normally be included if it were not aimed at teachers.

The publisher of the piece is the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). This is an association that supports Family and Consumer Sciences professionals and that students are encouraged to get involved with. This piece, written by them may be used to explain the importance to future teachers and to give a history of the classes taught. Because it is written by this association, it certainly has biases working towards it. As it is published by AAFCS, since it is an association for teachers, we can safely assume that it is for teachers. It appeals to the audience the association normally caters to.

Another strategy that Lokken implements in the article is the use of concrete examples showing that she has written this piece for fellow teachers. She explains the causes and effects as evidence for her argument. “The number of pregnancies has dropped. They seem to be more aware of what is involved in parenting a child.” Then, “I use the infant simulator doll, and my school’s pregnancy rate has gone from 15% to 7% since we began using the doll.” This instance shows how Lokkens uses examples of the bill’s success to give credibility to herself and the new program’s methods.

Lokken overall does an effective job of appealing to her chosen audience. She uses context, organization, and word choice to appeal to the audience while also giving credibility to herself. She has made it clear what her motives are and the intentions she has for the piece using rhetorical strategies and approaches.

Bibliography

Lokken, Sheri L. "Preliminary Impacts of an Innovative FCS Curriculum." Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences 93.4 (2001): 58-62. Iowa State University. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://mars.lib.iastate.edu:1701/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?tabs=viewOnlineTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=TN_ericEJ634101&indx=1&recIds=TN_ericEJ634101&recIdxs=0&elementId=0&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&dscnt=0&fctN=facet_frbrgroupid&vl(192264181UI1)=all_items&frbrVersion=2&scp.scps=scope%3A%28ISU%29%2Cprimo_central_multiple_fe&fctV=6411965212512181597&tab=default_tab&dstmp=1391195690572&srt=rank&mode=Basic&tb=t&vl(freeText0)=Preliminary%20Impacts%20of%20an%20Innovative%20FCS%20Curriculum&vid=ISU0&frbg=6411965212512181597&vl(203425888UI0)=any&dum=true&vl(1UIStartWith0)=contains&gathStatIcon=true >.

"About Us - American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)." About Us - American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://www.aafcs.org/AboutUs/index.asp>.