Rhetorical Analysis: The Digital Parent Trap

In “the Digital Parent Trap”, Eliana Dockterman presents a case on the

controversial effects of technology in a new generation about to be saturated by it.

She explores both aspects of the debate- the side that embraces the technology as

helpful learning tool and the faction that considers technology as a unnecessary

obstruction to education. In illustrating this controversy from a double perspective,

she utilizes a few major requisites for stylistic literature, especially numerical data

and citations that establish the ethos of the writer and lines that touch the pathos of

the reader.

One does not have to adjourn in their reading to notice the abundant amount

of statistical data the author utilizes to develop her point. No rhetorical data can be

said to be as solid as numerical, and the author, aware of this fact, skillfully take

statistics from credible sources to his advantage. Even from the beginning of the

passage, the author introduces the case with several interesting facts: “27% of

[American kids] use tablets, 43% use smartphones, and 52% use laptops” Having

drawn the readers’ interest, he advances to the double side of the case, repeatedly

using numerical data to support one side’s point then, with the same technique,

turning to the other side to rebut the point made.

In doing so, the author provide

concrete evidence that compels the reader to believe the validity of both side of the

However, a more prevalent feature of the passage is the dominant quantity

of quotations from professions relevant to the advent of a technological age which

allow the author to instate her ethos. Through a quotation from an author of a

relevant book “they’re a load of crap…meant to make money” Eliana presents the

standpoint that opposes the use of technology in education as substantiated. Then

she also turns 180 degrees to provide evidence for applied technology in the

classroom, citing an expert, “If you look at applying for college or a job, that’s on

the computer”. By the credulity provided by the specialists establishes a platform

for the writer to appeal to the readers of the article’s citable nature.

Further, the author attempts to even stir the pathos of the reader by creating

a relevance to quotidian family life. “So who’s right- the mom trying to protect her

kids from the perils of the new technology or the dad who’s coaching his kids to

embrace it?” she writes. It is the stereotypical nature of this example that appeal

to

the audience. By utilizing everyday occurrences from the expected audiences’

lives the author succeeds in creating relevance to day-to- day citizens, both the dad

and mom themselves and their children. This element of the writer’s article even

provides a hint of bathos, the appeal to humor, in the passage, while carrying out

its main duty of stirring emotions of the reader.

Through an appeal to most main elements of rhetorics Eliana Dockterman presents

the subject of matter in a dynamic yet effective way. While the statistics provide

the concrete evidence for the rival sides of the debate, the author’s use of citations

from specialists provide the credulity of the passage, the ethos. Then to create a

relevance to the readers and stir their pathos, the author make certain comments

throughout the passage of ‘normal’ things, not hesitating to leave in a scent of

humor. By the end of the passage, it would be surprising if the reader does not

consider the passage memorable in any of the multifarious aspects of the passage.