Mothers in Prison
Rhetorical Precis: Kristof in the article Mothers in Prison, argues that drug is a connection between women and prison and that there are programs to ameliorate this issue. Kristof supports his argument by describing the life of a prisoner that claims that her parents were drug addicts and she followed in their steps. He then analyzes that over 82 percent of women in prison have suffered from drug and alcohol abuse. Lastly the author explains that by offering counseling, jobs, and education, these women are on a definite route to recovery. Kristof's purpose is to inform people on why so many women are in prison and the steps they are taking to get out. The author writes in a serious and informative tone for America. This work is significant because not many people realize that drug abuse is a chronic illness. Rhetorical Analysis: The mass incarceration of women has sky-rocketed in America. Kristof us an informative yet serious tone and appeals to the nation by through the use of enumeration to inform the nation on the causes and effects of imprisonment. Throughout the article, Kristof enumerates the effects of prison. Kristof enumerates that women are stripped of their “dignity, privacy, and children” (Kristof, paragraph 1). This enumeration lists what is being taken away from mothers in prison. This list may appeal to the reader by detailing the countless things imprisoned women aren’t able to have. Kristof also enumerates the outcomes of being in prison. Prison offers programs that help with improving your life for when you leave prison. Kristof enumerates that the programs offer “counseling… housing, and jobs” (Kristof, paragraph 19). This enumeration lists what the women get out of prison. Enumerating the opportunities programs provide conveys the idea that these women are striving to better themselves. This enumeration relates to the first enumeration by listing the steps that are taken in order to take back their “dignity, privacy and children.” There has been a mass incarceration of women in America. Kristof was effectively able to inform the audience by using enumeration. |