Recently, the use of controversial words has become a heavily debated topic and has gained international attention as seemingly truthful statements to some, cause insult to others. The Times article "Why 'Redskins' Is a Bad Word", by acclaimed linguist and professor John McWhortor, was published around the time the use of the word Redskin was being debated. In the article, McWhortor aims to clarify the condemnation of the word Redskin, by suggesting that the offence does not stem from the literal definition of such words, but instead the negative and often derogatory connotations the words have. McWhorter begins by introducing the recent discussions surrounding the use of the word Redskins, especially the actions taken by Californian schools …show more content…
He begins in a sympathizing and an informal tone, acknowledging both readers, those who may consider the words offensive and those who do not. McWhortor contrasts the different opinions in order to engage both sides of the argument together. An example being when he describes the refusal of the Redskins owner to change the name as "callous and antique", while also questioning the validity of why the word should not be used in a rhetorical question. This use of pathos makes each reader feel included in the article and allows them to be more welcoming of his suggestions by lessening the tension. Additionally, it increases his own ethos as it emphasizes that he is conscious of both opinions and wishes to better the community as a whole. The emotional appeal is furthered during later parts of the article. For instance, McWhortor proves word have connotation through the use of anecdotal and somewhat historical evidence when he uses direct examples of controversial …show more content…
He also uses pathos in an anecdotal story that compared how the statements referring to a person as "a Jew" to "Jewish, as well when contrasting how the term "blacks" compare to "black people". These words cause a powerful response from readers, as the words he used have been used in ways to demean and stereotype certain groups. The chosen words were also used intentionally in order to reach the large and diverse audience of the Times, who may have been able to feel the negative undertones in some or most of the words. It could be said that the use of these words does not cause a dramatic impact on every reader, especially those who do not have the same knowledge and connection to the words, therefore weakening the claim. However, the words chosen have been considered taboo in society for a long time, and many readers have grown up knowing that it is offensive to say despite the literal meaning. Therefore, he is able to successfully explain his argument by appealing to pathos through guilt, and increasing his ethos at this same time, since readers can personally connect to what he is
Pathos is used as an appeal to emotion, often to gain an audience’s investment for a specific purpose. Animal shelter advertisements, car commercials, and even magazines use this method to attract an audience and pull them in by their heartstrings. Rebecca Skloot’s contemporary biography The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is no different, utilizing this method to maintain the audience’s attention and emotional investment in the story.
In the article “Most Native American-Themed Sports Mascots are Flattering and Not Racist” Chief Lee Vest of the Appalachian Confederated Tribes stated “I personally think it’s an honor to be chosen (as a mascot).” But he quickly points out that “Even though people say they’re silly for pretesting it, the biggest problem for all Native Americans is the use of Redskin.” The use of Redskin is racist and extremely offensive. Chief Lee Vest explains that if history textbooks mentioned that the term “Redskins” was coined during a Native American genocide, the public would understand why it is an offensive term. Native American themed mascots should not be used as sport mascots because of the inaccurate picture they give of the Native American people.
I’m not thinking the way I used I think. I can feel it most strongly when I’m reading.” (Carr 557). This is an effective use of pathos because it draws the reader to question whether or not their way of thinking is changing as well. Carr is trying to create this connection, so the audience feels exactly what he is feeling and is successful at doing so.
The Indian mascot was originally designed to render tribute to Native Americans, not as a racial symbol. In the past forty years, changing the name backfired, and citizens began taking offense to the name because they felt like the name represented the color of Native American’s skin. Nevertheless, many fans, including Native Americans, do not consider the name or the mascot to be degrading or racial. Fans of the Washington Redskins participated in a poll that reveals, “77 percent reject changing the name” while in another poll “71 percent of NFL fans did not find the Redskins name offensive” (Lingebach 2). Clearly, from the results of the two polls, many fans would be unhappy if the Redskins’ name were to be changed.
Pathos is a rhetorical device used for providing emotion to the reader. He wants the reader to feel sympathetic towards the mistreatment of African-Americans. In the introduction, the first rhetorical device he introduced is pathos. Coates present pathos when he introduced Clyde Ross. He titles the first chapter as, “So that’s just one of my losses”.
For example, Mr.Gilmer uses Pathos when making Mayella explain what happened on the supposed day Tom abused and took advantage of her, the reasoning is that in the book it says “Mayella stared at him and burst into tears. She cover her mouth with her hands and sobbed. ”lee241 When this scene happened Mr.Gilmer was questioning Mayella. This showed a negative holistically in the argument; Pathos was strengthened because of the reason it appealed the audience emotion making them feel bad for her, this helped the argument because the audience felt emotion when Mayella was crying this might cause an unbiased audience to feel and think that Tom could possibly be guilty. Also, Mr.Gilmer used Ethos appealing to the audiences good morals for this reason
According to Everything's an Argument, pathos is defined as using emotional appeal to persuade an audience. An example of how Orwell used pathos to persuade the audience is used very strong words such as “oppressor”, “tyrant”, “savage”, and “crucified” which evoke emotions in the audience. He often referred to the British as oppressor instead of the ruler. Since Orwell used such heavily connotated words, the audience was able to understand how he felt much clearer and it showed he put a lot of thought into his story. The precision in his words helps convince the reader he really did evaluate his whole life after the incident where he shot the
With this article having a very strong analysis evidence such as the appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos. I agree that this article is very effective. Throughout this essay, I will analyze the article through its context of rhetorical analysis and evaluation of argument claims, and logos, pathos, and ethos.
The Rhetorical Analysis of the “America Needs its Nerds” The mental capacity is treated as a disadvantage in the America, despite the fact it already helped the country many times. This long-term problem became the main topic of the Leonid Fridman’s essay “America Needs its Nerds”. The work first appeared on January 11, 1990 in the New York Times as a part of the series “Voices of the New Generation”. The author spoke about the negative attitude the American society has to smart people and demonstrates it with the usage of words like “nerd” or “geek”.
This passage best describes pathos because there is an emotional appeal and it appeals to deeply held values and beliefs. The author is using pathos by sharing the experience he or she had while interacting with these many poor families and it also gave them understanding about their lifestyles and what situations those poor families might have to
In the NMSI chart, pathos is defined as appealing to the "audience 's emotions" and can "evoke anger, laughter, sadness, fear, joy, pride, etc." ("Using" 13). In the sermon, this is the primary appeal that Edwards uses to influence the unconverted. The author appeals to the reader 's sense of vanity by asking " How awful is it to be left behind at such a day [the day when the saved are in Heaven]! To see so many others feasting while you are pining and perishing [in hell]..."(Edwards 44).
Writing can change the way people see things. Words have the power to make something horrible seem good, or make an event in history seem very different than how it may have actually gone down. Throughout history, people have used words to empower and destroy people, to showcase something dark in a good light, or to show the darkness of a seemingly good event. One example of this is Andrew Jackson’s, On Indian Removal speech, and Michael Rutledge’s Samuel’s Memory.
“Redskin” is an extremely derogatory term used to describe the reputed color of a Native American 's skin tone. Along with the simply disrespectful terminology, the phrase has a history of being used alongside bounty for the scalping of Native Americans, so it is without a doubt offensive to many people. Washington 's choice to continue using the word as a name for their popular sports team has been the cause of much controversy. Despite the pleas of millions of people, advocacy groups and even government officials to change the name, the sports team remains unchanged. Even the United States Patent and Trademark Office has refused the renewal of their name, logo and likeness, citing the combination as “disparaging to Native Americans" National public opinion polls have found that 60 to 83 percent of the general public supports the teams ' decision to continue using the name, yet only a small majority of fans think the term is offensive to Native
Pathos is when the speech appeals to the audience’s emotions. President Abraham Lincoln uses pathos is this speech to console the audience for the losses that the country has endured during the Civil War. Lincoln uses pathos to convey sadness when he says, “The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.” When saying this Lincoln appeals to the people’s emotions by explaining that their loved ones struggled there and he also appeals to the feeling of pride they feel for their loved ones who dedicated their lives to their cause. Another example of pathos in this speech is, “...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…”
The author mentioned popular media people (like Rita Moreno) and literary characters (“Mammy” from Gone with the Wind) to show the source and the deepness of stereotypes. She includes dialogues and description of own ruefulness during the current event to create more emotion-oriented essay. Several main issues and single words are highlighted with the aid of italics, like the word ripen (Cofer 4) that showed boy’s expectances to Cofer’s sexual behavior. Was it author’s choice or not, the decision helps readers to see an important topic.