My Brother Is Not His Disability, Essay Example

In the text selected (“My brother is not his disability”), the author (Leaming) reflects on a personal experience he had with his brother, in order to persuade people to learn how to treat people with disabilities as individuals. The emotional account describes a special connection between the author and his brother: a bond that cannot be hindered by disabilities.

The target audience of the text is young people who focus too much on a person’s disability, and allow them to define the individual, as it is suggested by the language and word selections. As Leaming (para 3) states: “I wish everyone could see him as I do”. He wants people who judge individuals based on their development problems to change their mindset. He wants young people and adults understand that appearances do not matter: what is inside that counts.

The dominant techniques of persuasion applied by the author are based on descriptive and emotional language. The “ethos” rhetorical tool is applied throughout the text, while some logical explanations are also given why a person cannot be defined by their disability. Leaming uses lists to tell the reader how many things Kevin can do, and how he does not feel people to feel sorry for him. All that Kevin needs is acceptance. Overall, the author argues that every individual is different in one way or another. Kevin can make him and his 18 year old brother smile, and has several gifts to give people who come in contact with him. The main argument that the article makes on a logical basis is that “most people miss out on his gifts because they are focused on his disabilities” (Leaming, para 2). The main persuasion techniques applied in the text are based on providing statements and adding details to confirm their validity. The author states that his brother, Kevin is simply a normal child with Down Syndrome. He goes on listing the things that he can do and the ways he can complete other people’s lives. Further, another rhetoric tool is found: a call for action. He asks the audience not to feel sorry for the family to have to live with Kevin, as he gives people more joy than trouble. Indeed, the entire paragraph (para 8) is a request to people reading the text to stop and change their attitude towards disability.

The author gains credibility and appears to have authority, as he experienced the situation first hand. As he states, he lived with Kevin for 16 years, and knows what it is like. He tries to make people realize that life with Kevin is not like they assume. He also takes a step back from the issue and reflects on the society, claiming that “people are overly critical of others”. This statement puts the issue in a new perspective and makes readers think about making judgments based on first impressions and physical appearances.

Overall, the text is utilizing both ethos and logos as rhetoric tools to persuade the audience to change their attitude towards people with disabilities. Making the article built around a personal memory provides the speaker with authority and credibility. The argument is clearly articulated, and a call to action paragraph is created to tell people about the aim of the writing. The text uses effective communication techniques, a simple language, and a clearly communicated purpose.

Works Cited

Leaming, C. “My Brother is Not His Disability”. Newsweek. 2006. Print.