The Border Patrol- analyzing the written argument.

Throughout the four weeks of this course, analyzing written arguments stood out to me among other nascent concepts we went through. After reading The Border Patrol written by Native-American, Leslie Silko, I was able to connect a few rhetorical appeals and was able to analyze both contextual and textual implications of this peculiar issue. Also, it is evident that the author’s use of Logos, Pathos, and Ethos genuinely connects readers to her argument logically, emotionally, and culturally.

To begin with, throughout the Silko’s The Border Patrol, the tone of resentment is generated based on the three appeals. First of all, she criticizes how unethical the Border Patrol is by eliciting reasonableness from the readers. For instance, she mentions how America is not the land for the majority saying, “The Americas are Indian country, and the ‘Indian problem’ is not about to go away.” Moreover, she claims that they are Indian country, whose ancestors fought for their lands against the “cavalry” patrols sent out by the governments of European countries. Silko’s use of Logos puts on strong emphasis to her readers in terms of reasonableness.

Second of all, her resentment towards the Border Patrol’s unethical actions reaches at its apex, when she starts to take out her hidden weapon, Pathos.  One could sympathize how the author would feel about the racial segregation towards minorities despite the fact that her cousin, a Native American, rides his horse 300 miles just to serve his civic duty for his country. Not to mention the encounter with Border Patrol dog, Silko’s emotional appeal erupts when she mentions, “She had an innate dignity that didn’t permit her to serve the murderous impulses of those man” in paragraph 6.

Lastly, She was able to draw the readers’ attention due to her credibility and trustworthiness. She being a subject of racial segregation conveys a good sense of credibility towards the readers. In addition to being a subject of racial segregation, Silko possesses a high degree of credibility by witnessing the border patrol’s unethical demeanor.

Overall, she attempts to reveal the truth of how the Border Patrol’s unethical and illegal treatments towards Mexicans and Native Americans is creating economic hardship, and is the one who is inflicting personal damage through criminal conduct. Throughout the reasonableness, emotional appeals, and sharing similarities/values with other normal Americans, Silko’s The Border Patrol is a great compilation of written arguments.