In the passage “ America Needs Its Nerds” by Leonid Fridman, he proposes a major

issue in today’s society that intellectually gifted students (nerds) are not treated with the
same respect as athletes. Fridman argues that smart, curious students need to stop
being ashamed of who they are. He claims that Americans leave nerds out while
praising athletes. Friedman uses several rhetorical strategies such as repetition and
rhetorical questions to develop his argument.

Friedman concludes this article with several questions. For example, Friedman asks
“How can America remain a world-class power if we constantly emphasize social skills
and physical prowess over academic achievement and intellectual ability?(53)” The
rhetorical question serves the purpose of concluding his main argument: people who
spend time studying, or considered as nerds, are essential for this country to maintain
power. America gives too much attention to sports, which will serve no benefit to the
country as a whole. The rhetorical question also leaves an open thought to the
audience. This affects the readers because it is their responsibility to answer the
question. How will America function without its nerds? This gives his audience guilt in a
way, because as an american some can admit they do praise a football player more
than they would a scientist or even a doctor. We wear our favorite players' number
instead of the doctor’s name that may have delivered our child.

Friedmans uses a very important rhetorical device to get his point across to the
audience. Leonid Friedman includes a counter argument to further develop his position.
For example, Fridman states, “In many parts of the world, university professorships are
the most prestigious…rewarding positions. But not in America, where average
professional ballplayers are much more respected and better paid than faculty members
of the best universities” (41-46). He states that in America, people who play sports are
well respected because they have high social class and good communication skills. It is
completely understandable as to why superstar athletes who do not have a college
degree are being paid more and also given more respect than an intelligent engineer
inventing technology to better society.

Throughout the passage, the author uses multiple strategies to persuade the audience
that “nerds” are very important to society and that more Americans should start
appreciating them more or even start becoming one or else our nation will go to waste.