1

Jailynne Miller

Mr. Wolfe

English 101 and 101-Lab

1 Oct. 2023

The Awakening of Education

Should children receive the ability to learn education? Malala Yousafzai is a strong

believer in children being able to receive free education due to her own personal beliefs.

Yousafzai has called upon everyone she possibly could so everyone can hear the crazy events

happening in countries. In the text, Malala Yousafzai stated, “We call upon all governments to

ensure free, compulsory education all over the world for every child.” (3) Yousafzai brings

attention to all the problems going on unnoticed. Overall, Yousafzai uses effective rhetoric as

exemplified through audience, ethos, and detail.

To start off Yousafzai's piece, she showcases a way to persuade the audience. In the

piece, she shows the lack of education brought to these countries all around the world. For

example, Yousafzai states, “I am here to speak for the right of education for every child” (1). She

speaks to everyone like they are family members, as in communicating through gratitude. Using

approaches like “dear brother and sisters” (1) and “dear friends,”(2) Yousafzai wants people to

come together as if they are one to help save education for children. Bringing people together

could promote a change if more and more people get an understanding. Spreading her word and

bringing attention to the community could change the way, people view these issues. Yousafzai’s

rhetoric showcases a strong sense of statement on the reason why kids should receive an

education.
2

Malala Yousufzai also demonstrates effective rhetoric through her use of ethos. Yousafzai builds

on the experience of her own life to create an emotional bond with her fellow peers. Yousafzai

builds ethos through her credibility, by showing how grateful she is to people. Yousufzai said,

“Thank you to the children whose innocent words encouraged me”… “Thank you to my elders

whose prayers strengthened me”(1). She uses her gratitude, so people don’t think she takes it for

granted. She used the ethos of humility to connect to the audience: “So I stand, one girl, among

many, I speak not for myself, but so those without a voice can be heard” (1). She also states,

“This is the legacy of change I have inherited from Martin Luther King” (2). When giving her

speech, she always made sure she did not make it all about herself and what she had done. “This

is the philosophy of nonviolence that I have learned from Gandhi, Bacha Khan, and Mother

Teresa” (2). Yousafzai gives thanks to everyone who has helped and listened. Moreover, she

uses effective rhetoric as exemplified by her focus on ethos.

Yousafzai made sure people realized the importance of details when discussing why

education is not used. She states women and children are suffering in many ways that go

unknown. Yousafzai made it known that, “Women and children are also facing terrorism every

day due to these events not changing” (2). Yousafzai claimed, “Schools and parts of the world

are destroyed, and young children are forced to get married at young ages” (2). Wars are

happening and innocent children are the effects of this. The small details that Yousafzai presents

are important when understanding why education has gone under. That is why peace is begged

for because it is necessary for children and their education. Then, lastly, the poverty going on

within these areas has contributed to this. Yousafzai presents these claims so that the audience

can get a better understanding of the topic. This is effective rhetoric because of the usage of solid

proof Yousafzai presented.

3

There are many reasons why education has stopped and why it needs to be brought back.

Yousufzai comes with proof and reasoning on why she is protesting and putting out these

speeches. Yousufzai has stated her feelings on this topic and released it to her peers. Allowing

many counts of evidence and proof of her own personal past. Yousufzai uses her personal life to

bring the community together. At the same time, she also gives gratitude to the ones who have

helped with her own personal success. Yousufzai has gone through amounts of trauma due to

these conditions in countries. Education is important for young kids it is important that people

understand children deserve education. Not just education but everything that comes with

receiving education and keeping kids in a safe environment. Yousufzai expresses her beliefs

through an audience that has helped her and has experienced the same issues. Malala Yousufzai

uses effective rhetoric as exemplified through audience, ethos, and detail.

Works Cited

Yousafzai, Malala. “Speech at the United Nations.” 12 July

2013,http://www.teachhumanrights.com/uploads/5/1/4/4/5144250/text_of_malala_un_speech.pdf
. PDF file.4