Sullivan 1
Student Example #1
Professor Cusson
English 1020
February 11.2020
Rhetorical Analysis
Troy L. Wiggins tells the reader about his experience living in the city of Memphis in a
neighborhood called North Memphis in the article, “Letter to my City”. One of the things
Wiggins was tired of was when he logs into social media and see black people dying on camera
or people making sad status about their love ones dying. He felt as if he didn’t have any
meaningful words about their deaths. As a Millennial he wasn’t the ones they were talking about
because he was more mature for his age as other people in his age group were throwing their
lives away. Also, he wonders why they made a difference between the poor and rich, to put up a
wall and separate the blocks from one other. They would than compare them to avocado toast
because in the text Wiggins states, “I wonder how many degrees of separation there are between
avocado toast and her murder.” Wiggins expert the use of strong arguments and rhetorical
appeals.
Though Wiggins establish pathos at the throughout the article, “There are dead and dying
people everywhere.” That shows his emotions of how he is hurt and how he feels about those
type of situation as he cries for help. This article would be a Fact because these things are going
on for real yes, it’s his personal life but many others may feel the same way he feels about,
neighborhoods in the city of Memphis. Wiggins tells the reader how “The rich people’s street on
my side of the hood has 24-hour security patrols”. Even the police were against some of the poor
Sullivan 1
because the violence that were going on. He looked at it as shouldn’t everyone life and property
be important not just based on the class you are, He know what other people are going through
mainly African American which they are fighting again every day. He’s knowledgeable about
the kind of this that happening therefore he could educate others who may not be aware of the
problem.
Wiggins add logos in the article when he starts speaking on the photo, I love Memphis
and Memphis loves everybody. He states, “Let’s do the math; one of those is true the other is
bullshit”. He paints an image while reading the article to get us to feel as if we are experiencing
this ourselves. The quote helps his argument by evidence and proof of the city of Memphis how
they really treat their citizens. As a reader he is correct on the comment he made because yes
there are many people who love the city of Memphis, but the city of Memphis may not love its
citizens if you are not bring good quality to them, Memphis is a city that’s all about who can
make it better. Most of the people who will know that either you live here, or you are working
for the government.
Along with his effective use of ethos, He has the credibility to write about this topic
because he has experience this since age of 5 and he’s ready to see a change. He knew when he
was younger, he couldn’t voice his opinion, but now that he’s older his voice is able to be heard.
Wiggins had the chance to make a change in the neighborhood North Memphis and any other
neighborhood in the city of Memphis that’s going through the same. Wiggins knew that the
police violence was getting out of hand and that the racism was still taking place. He made sure
that he would stand on the slogan Black lives matters. Even after he witness a murder, he kept it
disclosed, because he didn’t know if he would become the next victim and they overlook his
Sullivan 1
murder. As he wanted people to have sympathy for him because he felt as he was being judged
and stunned had very negative feelings and started seen things differently.
As Wiggins was putting this article together, he was using a very aggressive tone let the
readers and community know that it is serious, and he’s upset. The way he uses all the rhetorical
strategies and device to make a strong argument even when he lacked on using ethos. He still
maintains to finish the article off strong. He felt as even the innocent black people are being
punished and some should take place. He reflects his life as a millennial and try to keep I mind of
what he had to go through for that name so he will forever take pride in it.
In conclusion Wiggins did a great job writing this article. He touches basis on the
important things and the simple things that could make a change in the city. Troy know what to
expect as being someone who experience the worst. Wiggins stayed strong even after he almost
was murder by the cops. He was using repletion to explain why they don’t love him. He wrote a
narrative to appeal his thoughts.
Sullivan 1
Works Cited
Troy L. Wiggins “Letter to my City” Originally published in the opinion section of the Memphis
Flyer 2017, pg45-48