The genre of Education, by Ralph Waldo Emerson is opinion. Emerson uses very high-level, well-educated diction. This helps to establish his ethos, especially since he is writing about education. Emerson begins with a metaphor, "With the key of the secret he marches faster. From strength to strength, and for night brings day, while classes or tribes too weak to master the flowing conditions of life, give way." The key is education, the secret is knowledge, and he is a student. It is a metaphor that the obstacles to learning will 'give way' when a student has proper education. Emerson believes that this will only happen when students receive education in which they have the ability to teach themselves, while receiving discipline if they need it.
On page 2, Emerson details how Sir Charles Fellowes discovered education for himself in the form of Greek ruins, and brought them to an educated man to be analyzed. Emerson is not saying that this is how every student should be educated, but a metaphor that students must discover information for themselves, bring their observations to a teacher who can help keep them on track. Emerson's attitude towards education is that it is very important, but also natural. He believes that everyone is born with the desire to seek out knowledge for themselves, and that formal education where everyone receives the same teaching is not right. Emerson has an authoritative tone and doesn't use 'I think' or 'I believe' but states his opinions, which makes his more credible.
Works Cited:
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Education." Lectures and Biographical Sketches. Web. 1 Sept. 2015.
On page 2, Emerson details how Sir Charles Fellowes discovered education for himself in the form of Greek ruins, and brought them to an educated man to be analyzed. Emerson is not saying that this is how every student should be educated, but a metaphor that students must discover information for themselves, bring their observations to a teacher who can help keep them on track. Emerson's attitude towards education is that it is very important, but also natural. He believes that everyone is born with the desire to seek out knowledge for themselves, and that formal education where everyone receives the same teaching is not right. Emerson has an authoritative tone and doesn't use 'I think' or 'I believe' but states his opinions, which makes his more credible.
Works Cited:
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Education." Lectures and Biographical Sketches. Web. 1 Sept. 2015.