UCB Court Choice Pushes Issue of Identity Politics Back to Forefront Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Thomas Bischoff

English Composition

23 March

Rhetorical Analysis essay

Rhetorical Analysis of “Court Choice Pushes Issue of ‘Identity Politics’ Back to Forefront”

In the article “Court Choice Pushes Issue of ‘Identity Politics’ Back to Forefront” published in The New York Times on May 31, 2009, the author explores the topic of “identity politics” in America. The article discusses the selection of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court candidate by President Barack Obama, who many believed would usher in a post-racial age in America. However, the selection of Judge Sotomayor, a minority candidate, sparked a renewed debate about “identity politics” in America. In this essay, I will analyze the rhetorical strategies used by the author in this article and evaluate their effectiveness.

The article is written for a general audience interested in the topic of “identity politics” in America. The author uses a neutral tone throughout the article and provides a short summary of the events leading up to Judge Sotomayor’s selection as a Supreme Court candidate. The author also provides context for the debate by mentioning President Obama’s past comments on “identity politics” during his primary campaign. The author’s purpose is to inform the reader about the current state of the debate on “identity politics” in America and to provide insight into the selection of Judge Sotomayor as a Supreme Court candidate.

The author uses several rhetorical strategies to support the purpose of the article. The author employs logos, ethos, and pathos to establish credibility, logic, and emotional appeal. The use of logos is evident in the author’s reliance on factual evidence to support their claims. For example, the author provides statistics about the vetting process for Supreme Court candidates to show that President Obama had a clear intention of selecting a minority or female candidate. The use of ethos is evident in the author’s appeal to the authority of conservative scholar Abigail Thernstrom. Thernstrom’s quote about Judge Sotomayor being a “quintessential spokesman for racial spoils” lends credibility to the author’s argument against Judge Sotomayor’s selection as a Supreme Court candidate. Finally, the author uses pathos to appeal to the reader’s emotions by highlighting the polarized nature of the debate on “identity politics” in America. The author suggests that the selection of Judge Sotomayor has reignited the debate and has once again polarized the nation along familiar lines.

The author’s argumentation strategies are also effective in supporting the purpose of the article. The author uses evidence, analysis, and explanation to support their claims. For example, the author provides evidence of Judge Sotomayor’s past statements about her Latina background shaping her jurisprudence to support the argument that she is not a post-racial candidate. The author then provides an analysis of the opposition’s argument that Judge Sotomayor is a “reverse racist” and explains that they are picking through her past remarks to wield her words against her.

The author’s use of language and tone is also effective in supporting the purpose of the article. The author uses a neutral tone throughout the article, which lends credibility to the argument. The author also uses language that is clear and concise, making it easy for the reader to follow the argument. Finally, the author’s choice of words and phrases, such as “reverse racist,” “racial spoils,” and “post-racial candidate,” adds emotional weight to the argument and helps to establish a clear tone.

One potential weakness of the article is the absence of counterarguments. The author presents a clear argument against Judge Sotomayor’s selection as a Supreme Court candidate, but does not address any potential counterarguments.

In conclusion, the article “Court Choice Pushes Issue of ‘Identity Politics’ Back to Forefront” effectively employs rhetorical strategies to inform and persuade the reader about the current debate on “identity politics” in America. The author’s use of logos, ethos, and pathos establishes credibility, logic, and emotional appeal. Additionally, the author’s argumentation strategies, language, and tone effectively support the purpose of the article. However, the absence of counterarguments weakens the overall argument. Overall, the article provides valuable insight into the ongoing debate on “identity politics” in America and encourages readers to think critically about the issue.

Works cited

Baker, Peter. “Court Choice Pushes Issue of ‘Identity Politics’ Back to Forefront.” New York Times, 31 May 2009, p. A20(L). Global Issues in Context, ccco.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A200870681/GIC?u=aur58810&xid=72c3e33a. Accessed 12 May 2017.