http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/opinion/the-gun-challenge-reason-for-hope.html?hp&_r=0
America has been through tragedy after tragedy. Recently, there was a shooting of an elementary school and 20 children were shot and killed. This article is based off of this event and it is making the point that America needs to change and adjust with regards to gun control laws. There needs to be some sort of adjustment made in America to overcome these tragic events because America has become so modern and the use of guns needs to be reduced. the use of detail, diction, and language assists the idea and voice being portrayed.
The detail in this piece contains examples of tragedies in America's history and how we have over come them. For example, the author said that we are a "country that recoiled in horror at the Triangle shirtwaist factory and took steps to protect the lives of factory workers". This is showing the efforts out forth to change the way America was running; it's time to change gun laws. What about discrimination? This country went to great measures to create equality for all. All of this detail describing American adds to the idea of gun control needing more regulation.
This editorial also contains superb diction. For instance, the phrase "find hope in the determination" is used to create a major effect that was brought upon an innocent elementary school. Even "Democrats with 'A' ratings" are discussing the change that is in sight due to gun violence. The phrase above is great diction because it describes the Democrats as very highly ranked, and this is used as evidence that a change is needed.It is important to include such strong words because it helps create the strong voice of the piece.
The voice would not be as strong without the use of language. When one hears the words "murders of 20 children", there is a sort of cringing, twist of the stomach emotion that is evoked. It is such an unbelievable event that the right language helps to persuade the audience of the importance of gun control. The author even criticizes Obama's failure to do anything about the gun control laws. By using the phrase "mass killing during his tenure, people are drawn away from the Obama administration's doings because nobody is pleased by the words "mass killing". Emotion is strongly evoked throughout the language of the piece.
The fact that America needs to take a stand against gun violence is constructed here, and the voice of the piece is enhanced by the use of detail, diction, and language.
Wow! We all did something on the shooting. Shows how important it was, doesn't it? That being said, I think this was very well structured and you had lots of details. In your third paragraph, though, you said diction was important, but then linked it to a phrase. Diction is only one word, whereas a phrase would be syntax.
ReplyDeleteYou really did a good job of using DIDLS categories to analyze how the author makes his point about gun control. Once again, I would say to work on making your intro more specific. Try to say what type of diction, details or language (eg pejorative diction). Another thing to watch out for would be adding your own opinion to what is supposed to be as objective of an essay as possible. Especially in the second paragraph, I would watch out for adding opinion to the details that you talk about.
ReplyDeleteI like how you organized this essay. It was very clear-cut, with the first paragraph being an intro, the next couple being about the diction, details and language and finally a little conclusion. You also included several pieces of evidence in each paragraph. Nice job! I do have to agree with Alexis, however, that you should be careful about diction and making sure it is just one word. Also, in DIDLS when we talk about language, I think it means more of figurative language rather than just language.
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