Rhetorical analysis usually analyzes how and what an author argues. It usually focuses on the rhetorical features of the text the author puts in place in editorials. Newspapers, magazines, and Internet editorials are very important today. They play a vital role in democratic and progressing, or states. According to an article by Russel, editorial and opinion pages in magazines and newspapers provide a public forum where ideas, policies, politics, business, and other various topics are debated (Russell). They promote mature and democratic discussions about current issues. Therefore, for the proper functioning of the editorial in the promotion of democratic debate, it is necessary to encourage and develop abilities to read, assess, and put into practice the facts about them (Russell). It is also important to note that the major purpose of many editorials is to argue about issues from a particular point of view. Hence, the rhetorical analysis of editorials is also important as it enables one to understand the situation, purpose, intentions, claims and evidence that an author uses to persuade the reader. Therefore, this paper analyzes the rhetorical techniques of the editorial essay titled “WE MUST PROTECT THE ON-DEMAND ECONOMY TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF WORK’’ by Oisin Hanrahan, the founder and CEO of Handy.
An editorial titled “WE MUST PROTECT THE ON-DEMAND ECONOMY TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF WORK” appeared in the Wired Opinions on September 11, 2015, at 12.53 PM. The editorial was concerned with the protection of workers, and their right to choose a more favorable work environment. Furthermore, the editorial detailed innovative technology in the on-demand market, opportunity creation, as well as effective and flexible solutions in the work industry. Oisin Hanrahan, who is the founder member and CEO of Handy, authored the editorial essay. His post first appeared on Wired Opinion: Business. In his argumentative editorial, the CEO of Handy, argues that US laws and regulations must, or should protect the freedom of workers. He continues by stating that the legislation should provide a platform that enables workers to choose the work that is best for them. Therefore, as a result, Hanrahan suggests, disruption often tags along with innovation when people discuss it. Hanrahan, in his case, contradicts this argument since the term “disruptive” only focuses on the effects the innovation has on its competitors. In his article, he urges that the disruption should focus on the beneficiaries of the technological innovation. According to Hanrahan, technology is a “creator” to those who are using it, as it plays a big role in creating opportunities, and new ways of doing things. In the Handy Company, it appears that the author is optimizing the use of technology in increasing demand. In the editorial, as detailed, on-demand cleaning, and handyman services are dominating the market, despite its existence in space.
The major focus of the entire editorial by Oisin Hanrahan is the effect of the on-demand economy in protecting the future of work. The CEO’s view on the future of the worker, in the workplace, is based on technological innovations that should be put in place for an optimal satisfaction of consumer's needs. In his article, Hanrahan begins by disagreeing with the fact that majority of people refer to innovation as disruptive. He argues that the term misses the point since the term only focuses on the competitors rather than the success it brings to the people who implement it. Technology has many benefits for its users; therefore, he sees it as a constructor, which provides a platform for implementing ideas, and generating solutions. He argues that the same technology plays a significant role in the on-demand sharing of an economy.
In his editorial article, Hanrahan suggests that innovative ideas in the business sector have created new ways of solving the consumer’s demands along with the creation of new opportunities for the people who are in need of supply. In order to convince the audience, the author uses ethos to create more appeal, and persuade the audience’s understanding of the issue. Hanrahan says that, in the case of his Company platform, it has made it cheaper for people who require home services. They have utilized technology in creating an easier platform for customer, and worker interaction. People have become more enabled in connecting easily with qualified professionals who provide services, such as plumbing and cleaning . He continues by stating that the interaction between the professionals and customers enables the workers to make good money due to their flexibility, and timing. Furthermore, Hanrahan appeals to the audience with his usage of logos by citing examples of other on-demand platforms, like Uber, Lyft, as well as a host of others, which have the same principles.
Adding to his ethos appeals, Oisin Hanrahan uses strong appeals to logos, using many facts, statistics, and logical progressions of ideas. Hanrahan points out the facts that the positive responses by users of these on-demand options speak for themselves. He states that, “only just last year alone, more than 250,000 customers used Handy to secure home services, and these numbers continue to grow”. He also suggests that the demand has risen for his company services, as the platform has been flocked by the public. In his statement, the author clearly appeals to logos. He adds that the service providers in his company have, in turn, signed up in droves, as the scenario provides income opportunities and flexible arrangements that may not have been available otherwise.
Throughout his editorial essay, Hanrahan provides facts to support his claims about the disruption in the implementation of technology. He suggests that services providers are too often overlooked; thus, they are increasingly turning into the source of demand, and income. He appeals to logos, and builds his arguments by saying that he talked to many of his services providers, and asked them why they sign up to use his platform. Hanrahan’s appeal, and personal company examples bear fruits. He states that the services providers overwhelmingly suggested that they were in need of the independence and flexibility that his Company provided. In this respect, he means that the Handy Company’s trend of providing freedom for its workers to select the job they want encourages the services providers to join the platform. Additionally, the practice of providing workers with the freedom to work the hours they want, whenever they want, and take off whenever they need to is also very appealing.
Along with a strong logos appeal, Hanrahan’s article effectively makes appeals to pathos, especially in the middle section. In this part, his expressions are full of emotionally-charged words and phrases that create a sympathetic image; he criticizes the fact that some professionals have been pushed out of the workforce due to personal obligations, such as caring for young children. The author is against this practice, and avers that his practice enables flexibility and independence, which is a very important aspect of business. Furthermore, he strongly appeals to the audience in his article by saying that his company allows re-entry of such workers into the workforce, and contributes to their family’s financial security (Russell). Additionally, he underscores the importance of on-demand platforms to colleges, and the importance of flexible schedules in an institution. He encourages its implementation by saying that a "growing number of people are depending on these platforms as a source of flexible income and are fueling the growth of the on-demand sector”. Additionally, he insists that the same trend has aroused interest among the political circle. He states that the President addressed the issue concerning the on-demand economy in a speech. This world, in the end, generates more and more opportunities for the growing population. Towards the last paragraph, Hanrahan says that current regulation has never contemplated these ways to work, and calls for its implementation so that it can suit workers, thereby avoiding future frustrations and challenges to workers. Therefore, he demands that proper rules and regulations would provide freedom, and rights for workers. Hence, the best solutions platform for workers and their families will be attainable (Hanrahan).
Finally, the author suggests the widespread implementation of his ideas to encourage the on-demand model in the economy. He points out that the integration of innovative technology, and the implementation of a flexible, independent working platform should be put into practice. His powerful usage of ethos, logos, and pathos results in a highly appealing, and engaging article. Cohesive and convincing, Hanrahan’s piece is an example of the potential that the editorial has in persuading a reading audience.
Works Cited
Hanrahan, Oisin . "We Must Protect the On-Demand Economy to Protect the Future of Work." Wired: Business 11 September 2015: 1. Interenet. <http://www.wired.com/2015/11/we-must-protect-the-on-demand-economy-to-protect-the-future-of-work/>.
Russell , RoberT. "How to Write an Analysis on an Editorial." 2016. Demand Media, Inc. 27 February 2016. <http://www.ehow.com/how_8634301_write-analysis-editorial.html>.
