Student loans have increasingly become a topic of interest. As college enrollment rates continue to rise each year, so does the student loans. Not many college students consider the severity of the loans until their payments start after graduation. As a college student, loans become a constant thought throughout the four years of higher learning. Student loans aren't technically unethical or go against any values. However it does tarnish many goals that one may have set. When attending college, one does not plan on acquiring thousands of dollars in loans to complete their degree. Being in college and acquiring thousands of dollars in loans at 18 years old is not easy to accept. Even with the constant financial support of parent, family, and friends, college still becomes a financial burden. Going to a big public university sparks a revelation that not everyone has the same opportunity to do so because of money. Student loans have started to shape students futures after highs school and college graduation. As a college student with student loans make it easier to understand the sources that have been found. Having student loans also makes it easier to sympathize with those who may have loans in college or still paying back loans. 

The source, "Student Loan Debt" by Barry Malone, introduces the idea of politics to student loan debt. Malone does not make a clear claim in his article. He states facts about student debt in today's society. The article incorporates the presidential candidates to show how they each plan to handle student loans. The source targets the struggling college students who may have already acquired student loans or those who are on the verge of taking out loans. The article is also useful for the future college student such as upcoming high school graduates. The source uses the personal values of politics to help convey the overall issue of rising student debt. Malone is a lawyer which makes it slightly more credible for him to write about the topic. He uses his educated background to incorporate his research on the presidential candidates. When reading the article, Malone does not seem to present any bias. However, because of the negative connotation regarding student debt, it can be inferred that he is against student loans. 

"Generation Debt" by Mike Konczal identifies some main reasons why our generation is being overcome by debt. Konczal expresses that the present generation is the debt generation because of student loans. He explains that the public funding has decreased over time which contributes to the rise of loans. Konczal writes about the issues that contribute to student debt as well as the effects after the student graduates. He explains that student debt can prolong one getting a house, car or any other necessity of life. The text appeals to the personal values of people's future. It serves to catch the interest of those that already have loans and students that are about to graduate. Konczal has no concrete credibility as a writer. He does write with bias as he explains the negative elements that surround student loans and debt. Due to his lack of credibility, Konczal can be seen as more biased.

Craig Smith's article, "Student Debt State Policies Leave Families with Few Good Options", claims that college funding is diminishing as an option for students. He supports this claim by explaining how colleges are raising tuition and decreasing their resources. Smith also supports his claim through explaining the pressure that students feel to graduate. The source appeals to the ethical values of the student. It seems unethical that colleges raise their tuitions if their resources are decreasing. Smith also appeals to the readers through emotion with sympathy. He writes about the families of the students running out of options to send their children to college without loans or little debt. Much like Konczal, Smith does not have any credentials other than being a writer. The lack of credibility affects his research that is included in the article. He also is blatantly bias towards the students. Smith writes the article in the students' favor to show how they are the victims of the situation. 

Student loans may not seem arguable to some. However, the point of how it should be handled is very debatable. Some say that the students who have loans should just pay their loans back. Others argue that college should be free entirely. The three sources all agree that student loans are a pressing issue in today's society. They also agree that there is nothing positive about having loans. The authors disagree in their approaches on how the issue of student debt should be handled. After reading the articles, it was better understood that student loans were increasing because of issues contributing to it.

