Toulmin Analysis on "Social Change Using Ethos"

The argument begins with introducing the main idea/problem, that freshmen are not prepared for the new high school environment and social stress.  It continues by stating personal experience with social and academic anxiety and stress, building the author's credibility and ethos.

"I entered high school with PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Clinical Depression."

This indicates the author's personal relation with high school and mental illnesses and the authority they have on presenting this issue. 

Later, the author builds their ethos even more by relating with other freshmen and high school students.

"As a current high school student with similar issues, I know what it feels like to take one step forward and ten steps back." 

By showing that the author is currently in high school, they are implying that they know what high school life is like and how freshmen can adapt to the environment.  In the same paragraph,  the author uses parallel structure to further emphasize their point and build their ethos.

"I know what it feels like to take one step forward and ten steps back.  I know what it feels like to not be able to speak up in class.  I know what it feels like to be misunderstood and rejected."

Warrants in the article are not clearly stated but somewhat implied throughout the passage. 

·         Stress and anxiety can cause mental instability.

·         Bullying and suicide can be caused by stress and anxiety.

·         Confidence is lowered when put under pressure and stress.

The ultimate claim does not come until the middle of the paragraph about the author's motives. 

"If they take this class in their first year, they will be prepared for coming years in their high school career."

The reasoning comes in the second to last paragraph.

"We will have a more inviting school community.  Students will be able to get along with each other because they know that they are all in the same boat.  Bullying and suicide will be cut down because students will stick together, knowing that they are all going through the same process of anxiety and stress.  Students will be more confident about themselves and be able to present themselves with pride."

The claim and reasoning effectively go hand in hand and the warrants also show the thought process between the reasoning and the claim and displays valid assumptions on the issue.

However, qualifiers and rebuttals are not identified in the article.  To build the character of the author, presenting counter claims and not generalizing the population of students may have been helpful.  In addition, specific data and statistics may also increase the validity of the passage and be accepted more by the audience, which seem to be the students as well as the school administration.