Rhetorical analysis

Rhetorical Analysis of “I Co-Founded Facebook. It’s Time to Break It Up”

In his speech “I Co-Founded Facebook. It’s Time to Break It Up,” Chris Hughes argues that Facebook has become too powerful and that it is in the public interest to break it up. He uses a variety of rhetorical devices to support his argument, including:

• Ethos: Hughes establishes his ethos by appealing to his audience’s sense of trust and credibility. He does this by revealing that he is a co-founder of Facebook, which gives him firsthand knowledge of the company. He also cites his work as a philanthropist and his commitment to social justice, which shows that he is motivated by a desire to do what is best for the public.
• Pathos: Hughes appeals to his audience’s emotions by using vivid language and personal anecdotes. For example, he describes the way that Facebook’s algorithms can be used to manipulate people’s emotions, and he tells the story of a friend who was radicalized by extremist content on Facebook. These examples help to make his argument more emotionally compelling.
• Logos: Hughes supports his argument with logical reasoning and evidence. He cites statistics about the amount of data that Facebook collects, and he argues that this data gives Facebook too much power over its users. He also points to the fact that Facebook has been used to spread misinformation and hate speech, which he argues is a threat to democracy.

In addition to these rhetorical devices, Hughes also uses a variety of other techniques to make his speech more effective. He uses humor to lighten the mood, and he asks rhetorical questions to engage his audience. He also uses repetition to emphasize his key points.

Overall, Hughes’ speech is a well-argued and persuasive appeal for breaking up Facebook. He uses a variety of rhetorical devices to support his argument, and he makes his speech engaging and informative.

Here are some additional thoughts on the rhetorical effectiveness of the speech:

• Hughes’ use of ethos is particularly effective because he is a co-founder of Facebook. This gives him a unique perspective on the company, and it also makes his argument more credible.
• Hughes’ use of pathos is also effective. He uses vivid language and personal anecdotes to help his audience connect with his argument on an emotional level.
• Hughes’ use of logos is also effective. He cites statistics and evidence to support his argument, which makes it more persuasive.
• Hughes’ use of humor and rhetorical questions helps to keep his audience engaged.
• Hughes’ use of repetition helps to emphasize his key points.

Overall, Hughes’ speech is a well-argued and persuasive appeal for breaking up Facebook. He uses a variety of rhetorical devices to support his argument, and he makes his speech engaging and informative.