Analysis

The rhetorical situation of the essay “I Am Not Proof of the American Dream” is that the speaker is Tara Westover, an American writer and historian. Westover’s essay is intended for a general audience, but primarily targets people who are interested in the topic of access to higher education.

Westover’s essay has a relatively simple composition. She starts by describing her personal experience as a student and then moves into a broader discussion about the educational system in the United States today.

The style of writing in Westover’s essay is largely neutral. Westover uses figurative language and vivid descriptions to get readers to empathize with her own experiences, and thus have sympathy for other poor students. 

The main rhetorical devices that Westover employs in her essay are personal anecdotes that highlight her experiences and struggles. Westover also presents a paradox when she explains the situation young people face today when trying to access higher education. 

Westover uses a balanced mix of logos, ethos, and pathos to appeal to her readers and support her arguments. She shares her personal experience as a student as a way to not only build ethos for herself as a reliable source on the topic of access to education but also as a way to get her readers to empathize with the situation of low-income students.

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of non-fiction? See our general guide to non-fiction analysis.