Lecture on International Flows of Humanity

Mini Analysis on “Lecture on International Flows of Humanity” by Kofi Annan (5-A)

1. The article is about immigration and how both immigrants and host countries can benefit from it. The writer argues for both human rights and wise management of immigration in an effort to appeal to both sides of the argument. The article says that if immigration is monitored in a successful, humane way both parties stand to benefit.
2. Background info on Kofi Annan:
• Won Nobel Peace Prize in 2001
• From Ghana
• 7^th Secretary General of the United Nations
• Strives to: strengthen UN work in areas of development and bring the UN “closer to the people”
• Has served with the Office of UN High Commissioner of Refugees

The lecture was delivered at Colombia University on November 21, 2003

Background info on Audience (Colombia University):

· In New York

· One of the top Academic/Research Institutions

· Attracts a diverse/international faculty and student body

· Expects highest levels of learning from students and for students to convey the products of their learning to the world

3. List and analyze the use of six tools:

1. Allusion: “Emma Lazarus’s immortal words promised welcome to the tired, the poor, the wretched, and the huddled masses yearning to be free”(p.84)—this provides an appeal to pathos because it reminds the audience of their country’s mission and makes them feel that they have an obligation to uphold it

2. Diction/connotation: “Human rights and national security”(p. 85 and throughout)—this provides appeals to both ethos and pathos because these are loaded words that people seem to have and emotional reaction to. By using both of these words Annan shows the audience that he is willing to acknowledge both sides of the argument; this makes the audience more willing to listen and be persuaded.

3. Examples: “Among those rights is the right to family unity—and in fact families reuniting form by far the largest stream of immigration into North America and Europe.” (p. 87)—this provides an appeal to logos because it states a fact and deduces from it logically. The audience is able to make their own conclusions based on logic.

4. Personification: “The more we try to deal with migration simply by clamping down on it with tighter border controls…”(p. 87)—this is an appeal to pathos because it dramatizes it.

5. Conclusion: “This experience shows that stronger borders are not necessarily smarter ones.” (p. 87)—this is an appeal to logos because it allows the audience to hear a fact and the conclusions drawn from it

6.Metaphor: “Trafficking is a modern form of slavery” (p. 87)—this is an appeal to pathos because it is slavery is a loaded topic and sparks emotional reactions from the audience.