Write a rhetorical analysis of the personal essay, “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas (1069 – 1077).
For example:
I might identify his central argument this way: Vargas demonstrates how US immigration policy creates emotional stress and debilitating anxiety in individuals.
Three examples: Anxiety about the California debates over “illegal aliens” (1071; paranoia when working as a reporter on the WA Post (1074); “exhaustion” when finally deciding to come out as illegal (1076).
Appeals: On first glance the appeals all seem to be emotional. There is no logic here, no science or medical reference. On the other hand, there does seem to be an ethical component as they do indicate good character and integrity.
Thesis: Vargas successfully uses emotional and ethical appeals to demonstrate how US immigration policy creates emotional stress and debilitating anxiety in individuals.
