How the author argues for her views

Part of your essay must focus on how Sommers argues for her views. The author’s argumentation is open and relies on her studies and others’ studies. Her view is that the gender gap in education needs to be addressed so that boys’ academic performance improves.

Open argumentation means that the author expresses her views directly and explicitly, like in the following example:

If boys are restless and unfocused, why not look for ways to help them do better? As a nation, can we afford not to? A few d…

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Counter arguments and examples

Sommers also argues for her view by also presenting counter arguments that she then dismisses: “I can sympathize with those who roll …

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Forms of appeal

In her argumentation, Sommers uses ethos, pathos, and logos.

Ethos

Ethos refers to the use of references to authority, community, and shared values in order to persuade receivers to accept the author’s views. In this case, Sommers relies on the authority of scientific research, and on her own authority as an expert on the issue: “A study coming out this week in The Journal of Human Resources gives an important answer. Teachers of classes as early as kindergarten factor good behavior into grades – and girls, as a …

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Rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions are very important in the text because t…

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Allusions

The author also makes a few allusions in the article, meant to further support her arguments and give her …