Challenging Robert T. Perrys Critique of Charles Murrays...

Real Education Is a four-year college really necessary for your desired occupation? Would you feel successful obtaining credentials in vocational training rather than a college degree? How would your parents feel with this choice? Questions like these are debated widely in our society today. In the essay, â€Å"On ‘Real Education’†, Robert T. Perry, the South Dakota Board of Regents director, declares â€Å"we need more, not fewer university and community college graduates† (625). He is responding to the contrasting stance on higher education that Charles Murray stated in his book, Real Education. Perry challenges Murray’s main claim that our country is wasting resources and time sending so many Americans with low intellectual capacities to college.†¦show more content†¦The arrangement of the essay is clear and organized, making it simple for the reader to follow. Perry provides background information, states his claim, presents evidence, and suggests solu tions. He does successfully present a thorough, convincing argument supporting why college graduates are important factors in our society’s success. The appeal to reader’s emotions is also a very effective technique. Gaining audience support increases the likelihood of â€Å"winning† the argument. However, the opposing viewpoint is criticized throughout the essay’s entirety; it is these deceitful representations that cause the most damage to Perry’s argument. Appealing to the reader’s emotions is the most effective strategy used in the essay. The first sentence Perry’s audience reads begins with, â€Å"Bell Curve author Charles Murray†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (625). He expects the audience to be familiar with Charles Murray and his scandalous book that caused public outrage and controversy in 1994. Relating intelligence levels to race and social class sparked a variety of feelings and opinions among people. Perry evokes the reader’s emotions by including this memory. If it arouses anger, the reader is more likely to evaluate Murray’s opinions critically. Presenting a negative circumstance around the opponent undermines their argument, or â€Å"poisons the well†. By starting the essay this way, it