Please purchase Better Essays and Persuasive Techniques in order to access the Free Online Study Exercise Program: Buy Now: $24.95.
- Questions the owner’s moral standards: Jay criticises owners because they are irresponsible and do not provide sufficient care with regards to the dangerous dog; nor do they heed the government’s strict regulations. He asks rhetorically, “How does a man’s pit bull terrier end up in the front room of the house down the road?
- Questions a person’s motives: Jay also discredits the owners by implying that the owners think that the dogs will give them a feeling of power. “They represent a symbol of power.”
- The author questions the government’s motives and intelligence: Jay also attacks the council’s/government’s rules and regulations, which he believes are inadequate because there are too many attacks and the fines of $4,500 are inadequate. “Evidently the government is not doing enough”.
Tasks
- Write a paragraph analysing the persuasive and reasoning techniques that Jay uses to challenge the current dog laws
- Mr Samson emphatically contends that there must be stricter regulations to control the ownership of dangerous dogs. He uses anecdotal evidence relating to the death of Sammie Hol to provoke people’s anger at the reckless attitude of dog owners and to attack inadequate government regulations. Jay depicts the owners as irresponsible; their careless actions left the community “at the mercy of an unruly dog”. These comments are designed to instil a sense of fear in members of the community and reinforce the dangers associated with killer dogs. He asks rhetorically, “How does a man’s pit bull terrier end up in the front room of the house down the road?” Jay further discredits the owners by implying that they think that the dogs will give them a feeling of power. “They represent a symbol of power.” In an accusatory/high-minded tone, Jay shamefully discredits owners and policy makers who are “toying with our safety”. Again, readers are likely to feel incensed at the fact that the laws appear to prioritise the rights of dog owners over the safety of the public. Finally, Jay also discredits the government’s rules and regulations, which he believes are inadequate because there are too many attacks and the fines of $4,500 are inadequate. “Evidently the government is not doing enough.”
- 2. Drawing upon the ideas expressed in Jay’s letter to The Daily, and your analysis of Jay’s reasoning and persuasive strategies, write a 15 minute essay (introduction, two paragraphs (one is a rebuttal) and conclusion.) See Sample essay based on Jay’s ideas, p. 63.
Continue your Better Essays Learning Journey
- See Chapter 3: Persuasive Strategies
- Return to the Better Essays Home Page