1. John McMurty's essay begins with a personal anecdote about the results of playing sports- especially football- since childhood. When he can no longer ignore his physical condition, he seeks treatment and is hospitalized. How does the anecdote lend credibility to his argument?
By beginning with his personal experiences and integrating them throughout the essay, McMurty effectively establishes and maintains ethos. It lets the reader know that he has experienced everything he talks about on a first-hand basis. Someone with personal experience is more credible than someone who does not have this experience.
2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
Yes, the comparison is convincing. McMurty compares facts to show similarities between war and football. For example, he states that the "virtues" celebrated are "almost identical", and afterwards, there is a "injury report" much like a "body count". He points out many visible similarities, and in doing so, appeals to logos.
4. In paragraph 14, McMurty cites a Harvard study showing that some of the more brutal characteristics of football players are valued in the business world. How do the study's findings support McMurty's arguments against the brutality of football?
"Acceptance of inflicted injurty" is common in football as well as the business world, and time is spent to "systematically destroying and harming human life." This harsh diction reveal the horror underlying football as well as the business world. The "organized destruction" is a very harsh part of society. Football mirrors this brutality.
7. Who is McMurty's audience? Is it necessary for the reader to understand or care about football to understand what McMurty is saying about society? Explain.
McMurty's main audience is people who are interested in football. But it is not necessary to have an understanding of football to have an understand of his message. The connections can be made easier with football knowledge, but a member of society can see the comparison of football to society and realize what McMurty is talking about. The brutality shown in football is evident in the rest of our world today.
Though you did a thorough job of validating McMurty's intent on using his comparison as evidence, but you might have wanted to try challenging his intent as to whether that could be a valid comparison.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! Although you answered the questions, you could've tried to argued his opinion on if it was valid or not. Overall, it was well written.
ReplyDeleteIt is very well written but, you might want to clarify why society can acknowledge the similarity between football and society.
ReplyDelete