In the article titled "Think Safety", the author explains the dangers of housing violet, mentally ill patients in the same vicinity as disabled and elderly people. These dangers include rape, and even murder. The point that the author mainly stresses is that in Illinois, the government is only making minor adjustments to the laws concerning this issue, and not really making an immediate change. Many other states are already on board with this issue, but Illinois lacks in understanding that they are creating extremely dangerous situations.
The author uses exigence by stressing the fact that our state needs to do something quick, so that no more vulnerable people are put in harms way.
"But the danger has gone on way too long. Illinois has to keep violent mentally ill people away from the elderly and disabled."
The author also uses logos, by stressing that the state is mixing violent criminals and disabled people together in the same living accommodations. The author also gives us evidence and statistics that the problem has repercussions.
"More than 3,000 residents in Illinois homes have been convicted of serious felonies, including murder, sex offenses and armed robbery. That puts the elderly in the homes at constant risk."
Last, the author uses pathos to get their point across. "The results have been appallingly predictable: Murder. Rape. Assault." Those three words are meant to inflict fear on the readers. When someone sees words like murder and rape, it grabs their attention because they are terms that we are fearful of.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-1120edit1nov20,0,941929.story
Emilie, ironically I wrote my post on the same article. I felt that the article uses its rhetorical appeals to a minimum, but it put more emphasize on his opinion. However, I did think it need more rhetorical language to further press his point. Also, I thought the article was eye opening for me about nursing homes.
Posted by: Eric B. | 11/20/2009 at 12:21 AM