Rhetorical Precis and Response: Nicholas Kristof

Nicholas Kristof, in his Op-Ed entitled, "Compassion for Refugees Isn't Enough (September 10, 2015)," examines the burgeoning refugee crisis and asserts that having compassion for the refugees isn't enough; the international community must repair the situation at "home" (Syria, Jordan, etc.) in order to truly attack the crisis. Kristof uses an appeal to logos, statements made by experts on Syria and the current situation, and suggestions for future action, like enacting a no-fly zone, to emphasize the crucial state of the refugee crisis and urge the implementation of a systematic manner in which to solve the displacement of almost 60 million people (note: this is a worldwide estimate, not limited to Syria). His purpose is to educate and persuade his readers into envisioning a logical approach to helping the refugees, rather than relying solely on emotion, in order to spur a different type of thinking in dealing with the crisis. His audience spans all across the spectrum, and is a plea to everyone around the world to begin the steps necessary to solve the crisis.

I definitely agree with many of the points that Kristof makes. Especially with the release of the picture of Aylan Kurdi, people, particularly those in America, have become more alert to the refugee crisis. FOX News reported America as having been "sleeping" in regards to the refugee crisis up until they saw the picture, and only know have they truly realized the gravity of the situation. However, it's easy to have an emotional response without stopping to think about the implications of such a crisis. The refugee situation is devastating, yet it is not realistic to transport them all to the West. Kristof mentions that the international community needs to focus more on fixing the grassroots issue, which, quite frankly, has been ignored for a number of years already. The problem is just growing and growing, and until it knocks on their door (literally), countries have not paid much attention to the dangerously terrifying situation in Syria. The refugees cannot stay in the West for eternity; there's simply not enough room to take them all in. But at the same time, if we don't do anything about it, we're facing a gloomy future. We have an entire generation among us that is uneducated and impoverished, and without doing anything about it, we run the risk of developing a generation involved with terrorism. The world perches on a steep slope, and it can only skirt around the issue so much before the ramifications start to settle in, and the global community finds itself in an even more twisted situation it cannot wriggle itself out of.


Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/opinion/nicholas-kristof-compassion-for-refugees-isnt-enough.html

Blog 4: Mac vs. PC-Rhetorical Analysis

     Apple, in their ad entitled, “iLife (2006),” claims that owning a Mac computer increases a consumer’s options in terms of programs, and that using these programs creates a more enjoyable and organized computer experience. Apple supports this by using conversation to point out that, opposed to using an iPod with just a PC, Macs deliver a number of other applications, including iMovie, iPhoto, and iWeb, and also uses logical arguments to contrast a Mac with a PC, including the fact that the PC’s only thrilling feature is a calculator. Apple’s purpose is to excite consumers about the options a Mac offers, in order to persuade them to buy a Mac. Apple speaks to all consumers across the spectrum, including both prospective Mac owners and current PC owners, to get all sides to switch to a Mac.



Link to video: https://youtu.be/DZSBWbnmGrE?t=30s

Rhetorical Precis: "Lessons from the Virginia Shooting"

Nicholas Kristof, in his Op-Ed entitled, "Lessons from the Virginia Shooting (August 28, 2015)," uses the recent shooting in Virginia to assert the necessity of modeling and regulating gun control, as the lack of these laws leads to more shootings and gun violence. He uses compelling and emotionally loaded statistics, lessons from other approaches to solve issues, such as car safety, a realistic outlook, and suggestions for future change to"wake up America" and emphasize the importance of gun control, and the steps America needs to take to ensure the safety of its citizens. His purpose is to sear the critical nature of gun control into his readers, in order to have them become advocates for change. His audience is catered more towards the segments of society that have the ability to embark on concrete paths to further his ideas and goals for a safer America, and tries to inform them of the ramifications of leaving the problem as it is now.




What Kristof wrote about in his article was not new. For decades there have been variations of this piece, simply suited to meet a different situation. However, this does not detract from the importance of his message. The fact that Kristof even needed to write this article in the first place is an indication of how rampant the problem of gun control is. Kristof is not advocating a new approach but is trying to rouse America into truly doing something about an issue that threatens us every minute. Therefore, his article is one in a long line of advocates for gun regulation. But, it is the underlying concepts that are trying to contribute to action being done to stop the dangerous use of guns. Kristof is attempting to have America do something about the problem, and is desperately trying to not let it fester. It is my hope that he, along with others that came before him, will be successful in the very near future.


Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/opinion/lessons-from-the-murders-of-tv-journalists-in-the-virginia-shooting.html?_r=1