ENGL 1301
“The Other Side Is Not Dumb” Rhetorical Analysis
“The Other Side Is Not Dumb” by Sean Blanda reasons that their way of thinking might
not be wrong, this time. He begs the reader to look within themselves and determine their own
views on controversial subjects. In researching Blanda’s referenced sources, the reader quickly
establishes that the first hyperlinked quote doesn’t go to the location for the referenced article,
giving the appearance of dated or obsoleted material. Further into the article, the hyperlinks are
fairly accurate, but may never be reviewed if the reader has moved on to other interests after
checking the first hyperlink. In his argument, Blanda applies a light dusting of ethos and pathos
throughout, with a fair amount of logos by appealing to an inner sense of curiosity, stabbing in
just a bit of kairos early in the hook by mentioning Trump and again in his final conclusion by
intimating a next time to seek an opposite view.
Blanda uses ethos to establish the creditability of the author poorly in the third paragraph
by stating that in “Psychology, the idea that everyone is like us is called the false consensus
basis”(Blanda). His belief is that they should be themselves, and think for themselves. He asks
them to review the opposing views of others. He is quick make a grab for credibility using the
“Psychology” statement to give the reader the impression of a subject matter expertse in the
field, but never provides any evidence proving authenticity.
The author works in a decent amount of pathos to get the reader to stop thinking and start
feeling emotion. His quick wit and sarcasm catch your attention in the title by stating that “The
“The Other Side Is Not Dumb” Rhetorical Analysis
“The Other Side Is Not Dumb” by Sean Blanda reasons that their way of thinking might
not be wrong, this time. He begs the reader to look within themselves and determine their own
views on controversial subjects. In researching Blanda’s referenced sources, the reader quickly
establishes that the first hyperlinked quote doesn’t go to the location for the referenced article,
giving the appearance of dated or obsoleted material. Further into the article, the hyperlinks are
fairly accurate, but may never be reviewed if the reader has moved on to other interests after
checking the first hyperlink. In his argument, Blanda applies a light dusting of ethos and pathos
throughout, with a fair amount of logos by appealing to an inner sense of curiosity, stabbing in
just a bit of kairos early in the hook by mentioning Trump and again in his final conclusion by
intimating a next time to seek an opposite view.
Blanda uses ethos to establish the creditability of the author poorly in the third paragraph
by stating that in “Psychology, the idea that everyone is like us is called the false consensus
basis”(Blanda). His belief is that they should be themselves, and think for themselves. He asks
them to review the opposing views of others. He is quick make a grab for credibility using the
“Psychology” statement to give the reader the impression of a subject matter expertse in the
field, but never provides any evidence proving authenticity.
The author works in a decent amount of pathos to get the reader to stop thinking and start
feeling emotion. His quick wit and sarcasm catch your attention in the title by stating that “The
