DeCastro 1

Ellen DeCastro

Yeaton

Pre-AP English 10H 6

25 February 2018

Citation

Nichols, John. “Donald Trump Just Got Everything Wrong About the UK's Health Care

System.” The Nation, 5 Feb. 2018, www.thenation.com/article/donald-trump-just-got-

everything-wrong-about-the-uks-health-care-system/.

Part 1: Article Analysis

John Nichols states Donald Trump’s opinion on the UK’s national health care system which he

further goes into as saying is incorrect. He then explains why its incorrect and and “ignorant”

and provides an overview of the UK’s national health care system and its correct current status.

The description of the system’s current status includes: its purpose, a protest, its weaknesses, etc.

Tone: In the beginning of the article, John Nichols’ tone can be interpreted as abhorring. The

author uses words/phrases like: “ignoramus,” “wrong,” and “so scorchingly ignorant” which

convey his intense opinion that Trump is severely uneducated on a variety of topics taking

mindless actions which irritate others. The tone then switches to appreciative until the end

towards the peoples taking action to change the healthcare system for themselves instead of

standing by hoping for change.

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Context: Nichols includes a description of the current state of the UK’s national healthcare

system including how it can change or has changed depending on who is leading the decisions,

but in order for the reader to completely understand the article he/she would have to have

experienced the system first-hand and observe its benefits and flaws. Parts of the article is

Nichols’ rant against Trump and his lack of knowledge.

Appeals: The author appeals to logic such as: “More than half 52% of the public say the NHS is

what makes them most proud to be British” which accentuates the reason why the changes in the

healthcare system are so important. He also appeals to pathos with “point… to the pro-NHS

marchers” and “health care must always be understood to the right for many, not a privilege for

the law” to show his support for the majority of people in the UK which make them more

inclined to like him since he is on their side. Yet, the main appeal by Nichols is to ethos since he

cites many well-known organizations and high ranking officials “British Labour Party Leader”

and “Ispos-MORI polling firm” which boosts his credibility.

Strategies and Devices:

One strategy John Nichols used is repeating the same pattern of words which is parallel structure.

The use of parallel structure “Point to Corby, to the pro-NHS marchers in London, and to the

global movement” (Nichols) shows that these have the same level of importance and that each

have a critical role in the decisions for the UK’s healthcare.

Organization: The article follows a topical pattern where the claim is the main group followed

by multiple pieces of evidence.

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Diction/Word Choice: The article is easy to understand by its readers with simple/direct

vocabulary which follows the standard level of diction. This level of diction is written with a

professional tone and is intended for an audience who has average education, careful not to use

highly specialized words. When Nichols’ does use more academic words, it is in the quotes of

his sources.

Part 2: Personal Response

The author begins the article by giving his opinion of Trump with a rant on his lack of

knowledge and his half-thought taken actions on that lack. Here, the author introduces his claim

which is “Donald Trump Just Got Everything Wrong About the UK’s Health Care System”

(Nichols) and continues to back up his claim with the tweet doesn’t match the actual scene in the

UK. It is concluded by reaffirm John Nichols’ support for change for a better healthcare system.

The intended audience seems to be those who support the NHS and want more funding, since

Nichols shows his support towards them and their cause, “Point to Corby, to the pro-NHS

marchers in London, and to the global movement” (Nichols). Most of the article is not based on

John Nichols’ experience but is more on his opinions and actual facts. The author is constantly

using his opinions towards Trump and his allies, Theresa May who “is failing to provide

adequate funding for the NHS” (Nichols), to further the argument that he is always wrong and

further the idea that the NHS needs changes to improve to the benefit of the people.