Rhetorical Analysis of the Onondaga Dragway
Chelsea Cox
Baker College
October 26, 2013
102 Composition

Rhetorical Analysis of the Onondaga Dragway Is the Onondaga Dragway ruining its residents’ right to live peacefully? Many argue that the answer is “yes.” Onondaga is home to nearly 3,000 residents and is nestled between Lansing and Jackson County ("Onondaga Township, Ingham, 2013). The Onondaga Dragway closed its doors in 1978, and sat abandoned for more than thirty five years due to a declining economy. In recent times, a local family and a handful of car enthusiasts have worked hard to revive the quarter-mile drag way track (Byrd, 2013). After the recent opening of the Onondaga Dragway, on September 17th, 2013, citizens of Onondaga have come together in hopes to shut the Dragway down and formed the CORE group. Newly, the CORE group wrote an argument in its semi-local newspaper, The Leslie Weekly Guardian. While the CORE group’s argument is emotionally appealing and passionately written, the failure to acknowledge opposing viewpoints may ruin the argument’s credibility to its audience.
The recently founded CORE group, also known as “Neighbors for a Change in Onondaga Township”, is arguing that the Dragway thrill ignores the negative impact it has on Onondaga community. CORE opens up with a hopeless outlook for Onondaga residents. The Neighbors for a Change in Onondaga Township point-blank state that the Dragway has already dangerously proved that its existence is nothing but trouble for Onondaga. The CORE group declares the Onondaga Dragway as a nuisance, a hazard, and an unjust and unwelcomed addition for Onondaga (CORE, 2013). The first main claim that Neighbors for a Change in Onondaga Township stands by, is the lack of a reliable system of law enforcement. The group argues that Onondaga township residents had called the police to complain about illegal activity both on and near the Dragway. Evidently, residents witnessed drivers from the Onondaga Dragway warming up their vehicles by illegally “dragging” up and down local roads. Apparently, and presumably, due to limited resources, law enforcement officials were unable to respond to these calls. Therefore, the group portrayed a view that a dependable safety system to ensure safety on the roads is non-existent. Along with the lack of law enforcement, the CORE group argues that the Onondaga Dragway is a violation of the township’s residents’ constitutional rights. CORE explains that the Dragway ruins local’s rights to enjoy the quiet serenity of their beloved country life. They explain that the Onondaga Dragway takes enjoyment out of owning property in Onondaga, as well as causing irreparable damage to property values. The CORE group affirms that the addition of the Onondaga Dragway will negatively impact the selling price of residents’ homes, as well as reduce the funds that go to support local schools, roads, and township services (CORE, 2013). Beyond causing irreparable damage, the CORE group exclaims Onondaga residents’ tax dollars have already been spent backing the Onondaga Dragway. The Neighbors for Change argue that the township attorney has already spent a significant amount of time supporting the Township Planning Commission and the Township Board in efforts to pass the special-use permit used to open up the Dragway. The CORE group states that this was a complete violation of Onondaga Township’s Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance, which has caused many lawsuits to be filed. With these upcoming law suits, more tax dollars will continue to be spent funding wasted time (CORE, 2013). The CORE group also notes that the increased traffic on Onondaga Township’s roads will, once again, require residents’ tax dollars to repair damages. The CORE group argues that the Onondaga Dragway creates more wear and tear on roadways. The Township Master Plan states that land use that heightens traffic and draws crowds from regional markets, cannot be maintained by the Township without raising the property taxes of all residents (CORE, 2013). Furthermore, the freshly established CORE group claims that the opening of Onondaga Dragway has violated an Ingham County Circuit Court injunction that specifies drag racing is not allowed on site. The CORE group based this viewpoint largely on the seemingly illegal actions the Onondaga Township and Board have taken. The Neighbors for Change in Onondaga Township group argues that the Onondaga Dragway will not abide to the set laws and regulations in the matters of alcohol use and overall public safety during event times (CORE, 2013). Lastly, the Neighbors for Change in Onondaga Township close their argument by urging residents to “speak up and act now.” The CORE group implores citizens to call and write the Onondaga Township board to advise the members of their lack of responsibility to protect, represent, and keep Onondaga safe. CORE advocates residents of Onondaga to attend Planning Commission and Board meetings to hold the representatives responsible, as well as making sure the listed members in their argument are voted out of office at the next township election (CORE, 2013). The Neighbors for Change in Onondaga Township, or referenced CORE group, have a specific targeted audience: Residents of Onondaga Township. The intro of this argument started off by capturing the excitement the Onondaga Dragway has created; thus, also pulling in sports-lovers and car enthusiasts. The CORE group appeals to its audience by finding common ground with them, such as peaceful and content lifestyles. The authors of this argument entice its readers by banding together as “victims” of the Onondaga Dragway. The CORE group presents their case in an almost motherly fashion; that being worrisome and genuinely caring. The CORE group comes across as only wanting the best for its community, and aspires to look out for all residents’ wellbeing; this technique is a powerful force that influences readers to agree and correspond with the proposed argument. The CORE group presents ethos within their case. The authors of this particular argument do a great job establishing trust and credibility within their claim. Right away, the Neighbors for Change in Onondaga Township prove to be active and involved members of Onondaga by showing that they are taking charge of a local issue, and passionately reaching out to their community members. This enhanced representation offers readers the comforting feeling of being looked after. The sensation of having a solid and powerful infrastructure, looking out for the readers’ security and rights, provides an intangible and irrevocable want to side with the views of the CORE group. This argument could easily win readers over by the due-respect it delivers. The Neighbors for Change in Onondaga Township only contend the respect of township residents’ rights, and portrays to only want to “give-back” to the community. This ethos sets the stage for an emotional and admirable connection that deliberately, yet inaudibly, encapsulates readers to agree with the CORE group’s viewpoints. Though strong ethos are present, one main ethos is missing; that being recognizing and countering opposing viewpoints. Throughout the argument, the CORE group does not address any claims or standpoints advocates of the Onondaga Dragway may have—this could be seen as a weakness. The argument provides full detail of why the Dragway has a negative impact on Onondaga community, but fails to represent or acknowledge any possible benefactors. While the CORE group addresses the lack of responsibility the Onondaga Township Board has given, they fail to acknowledge the actions the Board has taken. According to the Onondaga Township Board Meeting Synopsis, the Onondaga Township Board of Trustees has given great detail and consideration to the approval of the special-use permit granted to the Onondaga Dragway (Johnson, 2013). The CORE group does a poor job convincing the pre-existing, pro-Onondaga Dragway supporters why his or her stance on the Onondaga Dragway is either incorrect or unsubstantial. Recently, Matthew Schindewolf, Onondaga Township Supervisor, has too created an argument regarding the Onondaga Dragway. However, Schindewolf empathetically addresses both sides of opposing and supporting viewpoints of Onondaga Dragway, and objectively proves that the new business is a sound choice for Onondaga (Schindewolf, 2013). This article is potentially a huge deficit in relation to the CORE group’s argument. Because both arguments are published in The Leslie Weekly Guardian, readers are able to counter-argue viewpoints. The CORE group’s argument could seem non-level-headed and biased due to this absent data. In-hand with ethos, the Neighbors for Change in Onondaga Township offers pathos within their argument. The introductory paragraph of the CORE group’s argument is very illusive. The authors start out with highlighting the upcoming entertainment provided by Onondaga Dragway, but quickly, and guilefully, turns their argument over to illegalities, threats, and dangers the Dragway has created. This curve-ball technique hooks readers by dangling entertainment in from of them, and reels them in with concrete language and their 2nd person voice narrative. The authors of this argument use boldface text to alarm its audience for each potential danger or threat generated by the Onondaga Dragway. Along with boldface print, the CORE group uses word combinations such as “dangerously proved”, “complete violation”, “ruins your rights”, and “demand proper representation” that jump out and captures reader’s attention. These powerhouse sentences entail readers to bond with the argument and develop coexistence between the words and themselves. As well as concrete language and narrative examples, the CORE group composes its argument with an alarming and fear-triggering tone. The CORE group writes in present-tense form, which only strengthens their disturbing, yet untried negative aspects of the Onondaga Dragway. The introductory paragraph states that the intrusive sound that erupts from the Dragway is caused by “the loudest sport on earth”, which provides imagery and background information for readers. Following that sentence, the CORE group states “but you’re already familiar with how loud and disturbing it is, aren’t you?” (CORE, 2013). This is a brilliantly placed assumption. Right off the bat, the CORE group places its readers on their side and gives them a leg-up in the Onondaga Dragway argument. Along with ethos and pathos, the Neighbors for Change in Onondaga Township afford great logos within their argument against Onondaga Dragway. The CORE group’s main claim is that the Dragway thrill ignores the negative impact on the community of Onondaga. This claim is presented clearly and identifiably. The CORE group’s reasoning and supporting evidence to their stance is provided knowledgeably and in an organized fashion. Each piece of evidence the CORE group presents is divided into its own paragraph with additional supporting detail. This structure makes it easy for readers to understand and recognize the argument’s core elements. In closing, the CORE group does a magnificent job connecting their position with its audience and enrapturing readers to read their argument to its entirety. The use of concrete language, personal examples, and the underlying sense of the authors being the “big brother” or “worrisome mother” really creates a trust between the authors and the readers. However, the lack of identifying and arguing opposing viewpoints falls short in the CORE group’s argument, which could possibly come across as partial and non-pragmatic. All-in-all, this was a cleverly created argument written with passion and strong beliefs.
References
Byrd, T. L. (2013). Lost drag strips: ghosts of quarter miles past. North Branch, MN: CarTech.
CORE. (2013, September 17). It's your township-speak up and act now!. The Leslie Weekly Guardian. Retrieved from http://theleslieweeklyguardian.com/pastissues/volume5no50/
Johnson, D. (2013, August). Synopsis of Onondaga township board of trustees regular meeting held on August 15, 2013 proposed minutes. Onondaga Township board meeting, Onondaga, MI.
Onondaga Township, Ingham County, Michigan (mi). (2013). Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/township/Onondaga-Ingham-MI.html
Schindewolf, M. (2013, September 30). An open letter from the Onondaga Township Supervisor regarding the Onondaga Dragway. The Leslie Weekly Guardian.