Many residents of Boulder, Colorado struggle within their community to manage the high cost of housing. Housing prices within this area has caused individuals limited housing choices, that is, except for those who are in the higher income groups. Some of the reasons for the extreme expense of housing is due to "more higher-paying jobs, a strong national economy, and our attractive quality of life", although "housing prices are rising much faster than incomes throughout Boulder County" (www.bococivicforum.org/affordability.html). Just because a few people are successful and can afford expensive homes, what about the majority of the residents? There is a larger population of students and staff due to the presents of the University, and there are the average middle and lower class individuals also. The high cost of housing in Boulder, Colorado is an issue that needs to be further examined and analyzed in order to educate the public and work toward a resolution.
In order to further understand this issue it is necessary to provide a clear definition of the problem. By defining the problem one will become aware of its background, conflicts within, and of course the specific discourses used, meaning how the issue is discussed, by whom, and why? After one understands the definition, the next logical step is to break down the issue and analyze its components. Here the discourse will be analyzed among various theories and concepts that are crucial to rhetorical situations, such as our housing situation. Through this analysis, explanations will be provided, and supported arguments will be made. After the long process of analysis, which is provided for the audience to gain a complete understanding of this issue, the final step will be to explain the findings. This will be the conclusion of the research and analysis, providing the answer to the overall question of "so what?" In the end, one needs to understand why this issue is being examined in the first place, and what can now be done with the knowledge that has been discovered.
