preview

Rhetorical Analysis Of The Singer Solution To World Poverty

Decent Essays

With so many Americans making thousands upon thousands of dollars each year, how much of that money is used to help the starving, homeless, or any charities? Peter Singer, utilitarian philosopher and author of "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" divulges in his article his solution to world poverty that would not only help all others, but also allow those donating to continue to live comfortably: they would just be living with only the necessities to live.
Although Singer does use persuasion techniques effectively in his article, he relies mainly on emotional appeal. Straightaway, Singer introduces his first illustration of an emotional appeal to his audience. Using an example from "Central Station," Singer tells the story of Dora, a retired school teacher, being paid one thousand dollars to bring a homeless child to an address where she is told he will be adopted. Dora splurges the money on a new television set and does not give the situation another thought until her neighbor …show more content…

Singer divulges his solution to poverty as people only buying necessities. Consider if people did not treat themselves as often. Think about all of the money each year that is spent on fancy cruises, new cars, new television sets, or a pricey new suit. Singer uses the example that a new $1,000 suit could save five children's lives. Using Conference Board, a nonprofit economic research organization, Singer provides a basis of the quantity that could be donated. Their research finds that "an American household with an income of $50,000 spends around $30,000 annually on necessities." According to that figure, $20,000 could be donated to children/charity organizations worldwide. With figures like that being donated, one hundred people could be helped by one household if they make the $50,000 annually. Singer effectively targets his audience's logical appeal of his

Get Access