Week 5: Template for Rhetorical Analysis “Tutor Trouble”

The Chicago Tribune begins the essay by saying that many students in the Chicago public Schools could use help with math and reading.  They have signed up for it but they are not getting the help they need or deserve.  The problem is not money, as the public schools have millions of dollars in unspent money for tutoring.  The problem is the program is not effective, while it has been running for a decade the public school system for whatever reason can’t keep up.  When students drop out or don’t show up for the extra help they are not replaced by someone else that needs it, or at least they aren’t replaced quickly.  The Chicago Tribune’s purpose is to show everyone that there is help available and money to pay for it but its not being used and the children are suffering.  They appeal mainly to parents through emotions.  Showing that if their kids are struggling in school the school has the money and resources in order to help the students but they are not doing so effectively.  CPS is not placing students who qualify for tutoring in the program early enough and by the time they do finally get help it is generally already too late for the program to do any real good.  He concludes by saying CPS needs to do a better job ensuring that the kids who need tutoring get it and they get it early enough for it to make a difference.  Their argument is effective because no one would want their child to do badly in school and know that there is help just that it is failing to be given to their child.