Broad rhetorical analysis of Charles Murrays on Liberal Education as suggested by President Obama - Essay Example

Broad rhetorical analysis of Charles Murray’s Essay on Liberal Education as suggested by President ObamaThe writer, Charles Murray, in his essay introduces a new idea that is specific for reforms in the education sector. His concept challenges the basis of the institution of America’s higher education and things that President Obama must rally behind it. The proposed thought of the author is to discard the degree certificate as a job qualification and emphasize more on vocational training.

Additionally, he also proposes the giving out tests for certification purposes in order to know if applicants have indeed acquired the relevant skills that are needed by employers. According to this essay, the author was addressing president Obama’s government and employers (Murray para 2). It talks about students who are undertaking their education. However, if it were addressed to students, it would imply that the author was telling them not go for higher qualifications as it does not help.

This would be a misguided advice to students. The thing is that students should always aim higher while in school or practice.In support of the argument, the author indicates that university degrees work well for children who come from wealthy families, but not for anyone else who want to land in a stable job and is not interested in the aspect of education. He states, “Children just want to know how to get a job that is satisfying and the one that pays well.” He further adds that in order for students to meet their demands, higher education is normally required.

However, this should not be essential or necessary anymore if certificate testing is to be used as the best way out.Certainly, the author used some rhetorical appeals to pass his message across. For instance, when he indicates that college education culminating to a bachelor’s degree works well for the kids whose parents have a lot of money. In addition, he indicates that the system only works well for top students who come from backgrounds that are drawn to academics. The funny part comes when he indicates that most of the 18-year-olds or rather students are not from well-to-do families, are not drawn to academics and are not top students.

As elite, he should have provided insights of how to make education affordable for all since the choice of going for a profession that gives one an immediate job and a bachelors degree depends on the individual himself, and not the financial status of one’s parents or the cleverness of the students. This is an unethical appeal. This is based on the fact that there are thousands of people going through vocational training, but are not poor.A logical appeal is that, at least people that employers want to entrust responsibilities with should be tested.

Normally, some people go through the process without grasping the concepts; thus, being tested would be a welcome thing.All through his essay, Murray wants to accomplish one thing: make it known to his audience that he does not have any qualm with liberal education, although he has issues with the utilization of a college degree as qualification for jobs. Of course, he justifies this by asserting, “For a good number of youths in America, making the college degree a qualification for jobs implies demanding a degree certificate, something beyond their reach (Murray Para 5).

” In pointing out facts, it is true that a good number of students do not fully believe in the educational values, however, it is an injustice to have students or kids not endeavor for their full potential. Works CitedMurray, Charles. "Should the Obama Generation Drop Out?" 27 December 2008. Web. 15 October 2012 .