Bowling For Columbine Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Justin Han
October 20th, 2013
Bowling for Columbine Rhetorical Analysis
Mr. Coleman (Period B3)
On April 20th, 1999, a school shooting took place in the Columbine High School. Two students, fully armed with a variety of firearms, murdered numerous students. This catastrophe resulted in numerous disputes over the issues with gun control laws in relation to the Second Amendment of the US Bill of Rights, which gave US residents the right to bear arms. Later in 2002, Michael Moore explored the causes of the Columbine shooting and such violence in his documentary Bowling for Columbine. In this documentary, Moore uses logos, pathos, and ethos to convey the message that US social media, along with the freedom to bear guns, plays a major role …show more content…
in residents’ increased possession of guns, subsequently leading to firearm-related incidents. One method Moore uses to convey his message in the film is logos, the technique of using logical reasoning and statistics for persuasion.
For example, he notes the high ratio of deaths caused by guns versus number of guns owned for the US compared to other countries. This shows a correlation with both the freedom of guns in the US and the fact that a different factor, such as media, exponentially increases, specifically, number of gun-involved deaths. Another logos example was when he portrayed the scene of people rushing to nearby shops to purchase guns and such firearms after news of murder-related incidents were portrayed in the media. Interviewed residents stated how the purchase of guns was justified for urgent self-defense; after all, would the federal government or police be able to arrive on time during urgent situations of danger? Such portrays the effect that social media is having on people in the US by evoking fear of imminent danger, subsequently leading to sudden purchases of firearms. Statistics relating to gun purchases presented in the film showed how gun shops’ revenue from gun sales increased drastically after portrayals of murders and abductions in the social media. Thus, the media being portrayed to the general public has to be addressed to avoid further provoking towards unnecessary gun
possession. To convey his message, Moore uses not only logos but also pathos, which is persuasion by appealing to the viewers’ emotions. The emotional aspects of the film revolve around the shootings themselves and the victims of those incidents. One example is the footage of the father who was speaking for his dead son, who was a victim of the Columbine shooting. His emotional speech of wanting to reunite with his dead child evokes indignant feelings towards the freedom of arms, which needs to be limited to a certain degree. Another example derives from the shooting of Kayla Rolland in Buell Elementary School that was committed by six-year-old Darnell Owens. In the film, a 911 call by one of the teachers in that school was shown. She was talking with an extremely nervous tone, helpless as to what to do with the dead child lying on the floor. This provoked an emotional response for the teacher and the dead child who was ultimately a victim of the Second Amendment. This exhibits the need to address media, since Owens got hold of the gun from his uncle, who was likely a victim of social media portrayal and bought the gun from fear. Finally, to finalize his point, Moore uses ethos, which is establishment of the speaker’s credibility for better persuasion. Moore utilizes both clips and actual confrontations with famous people to establish the legitimacy of the gun issue that Moore addresses. For example, Moore talks with Matt Stone, the co-creator of South Park, about the negative qualities of modern education reflected in US society. The general attitude is that one who fails once will stay a “loser” forever in life. This insecurity can indirectly compel a person to purchase firearms for a feeling of protection against those who belittle him/her. This is reflected from Matt’s personal school experiences, showing credibility. Another example is Moore interviewing Canadians in relation to the gun issue. In Canada, Moore saw front doors unlocked and a general relaxed, carefree atmosphere amongst the people, despite there being a level of gun ownership similar to the US. The Canadians themselves testified to not being able to understand the controversy over gun ownership issues in the US, providing credibility for Moore’s message that US media, a different factor, is the main problem for shootings and violence. On account on these examples provided through rhetorical techniques of logos, pathos, and ethos, Moore communicates the message that widespread gun ownership isn’t the biggest factor of US violence. Rather, the media portrayal acts as the gear that ultimately spurs chaotic happenings all around the nation. Media reporters themselves are seen to be unconcerned with the dangerous events being portrayed on the news, signifying almost intentional evocation of apprehension nationwide. Shootings occur around the US even today, and the root of such violence has to be taken care of to bring back peace to the American nation.
October 20th, 2013
Bowling for Columbine Rhetorical Analysis
Mr. Coleman (Period B3)
On April 20th, 1999, a school shooting took place in the Columbine High School. Two students, fully armed with a variety of firearms, murdered numerous students. This catastrophe resulted in numerous disputes over the issues with gun control laws in relation to the Second Amendment of the US Bill of Rights, which gave US residents the right to bear arms. Later in 2002, Michael Moore explored the causes of the Columbine shooting and such violence in his documentary Bowling for Columbine. In this documentary, Moore uses logos, pathos, and ethos to convey the message that US social media, along with the freedom to bear guns, plays a major role …show more content…
in residents’ increased possession of guns, subsequently leading to firearm-related incidents. One method Moore uses to convey his message in the film is logos, the technique of using logical reasoning and statistics for persuasion.
For example, he notes the high ratio of deaths caused by guns versus number of guns owned for the US compared to other countries. This shows a correlation with both the freedom of guns in the US and the fact that a different factor, such as media, exponentially increases, specifically, number of gun-involved deaths. Another logos example was when he portrayed the scene of people rushing to nearby shops to purchase guns and such firearms after news of murder-related incidents were portrayed in the media. Interviewed residents stated how the purchase of guns was justified for urgent self-defense; after all, would the federal government or police be able to arrive on time during urgent situations of danger? Such portrays the effect that social media is having on people in the US by evoking fear of imminent danger, subsequently leading to sudden purchases of firearms. Statistics relating to gun purchases presented in the film showed how gun shops’ revenue from gun sales increased drastically after portrayals of murders and abductions in the social media. Thus, the media being portrayed to the general public has to be addressed to avoid further provoking towards unnecessary gun
possession. To convey his message, Moore uses not only logos but also pathos, which is persuasion by appealing to the viewers’ emotions. The emotional aspects of the film revolve around the shootings themselves and the victims of those incidents. One example is the footage of the father who was speaking for his dead son, who was a victim of the Columbine shooting. His emotional speech of wanting to reunite with his dead child evokes indignant feelings towards the freedom of arms, which needs to be limited to a certain degree. Another example derives from the shooting of Kayla Rolland in Buell Elementary School that was committed by six-year-old Darnell Owens. In the film, a 911 call by one of the teachers in that school was shown. She was talking with an extremely nervous tone, helpless as to what to do with the dead child lying on the floor. This provoked an emotional response for the teacher and the dead child who was ultimately a victim of the Second Amendment. This exhibits the need to address media, since Owens got hold of the gun from his uncle, who was likely a victim of social media portrayal and bought the gun from fear. Finally, to finalize his point, Moore uses ethos, which is establishment of the speaker’s credibility for better persuasion. Moore utilizes both clips and actual confrontations with famous people to establish the legitimacy of the gun issue that Moore addresses. For example, Moore talks with Matt Stone, the co-creator of South Park, about the negative qualities of modern education reflected in US society. The general attitude is that one who fails once will stay a “loser” forever in life. This insecurity can indirectly compel a person to purchase firearms for a feeling of protection against those who belittle him/her. This is reflected from Matt’s personal school experiences, showing credibility. Another example is Moore interviewing Canadians in relation to the gun issue. In Canada, Moore saw front doors unlocked and a general relaxed, carefree atmosphere amongst the people, despite there being a level of gun ownership similar to the US. The Canadians themselves testified to not being able to understand the controversy over gun ownership issues in the US, providing credibility for Moore’s message that US media, a different factor, is the main problem for shootings and violence. On account on these examples provided through rhetorical techniques of logos, pathos, and ethos, Moore communicates the message that widespread gun ownership isn’t the biggest factor of US violence. Rather, the media portrayal acts as the gear that ultimately spurs chaotic happenings all around the nation. Media reporters themselves are seen to be unconcerned with the dangerous events being portrayed on the news, signifying almost intentional evocation of apprehension nationwide. Shootings occur around the US even today, and the root of such violence has to be taken care of to bring back peace to the American nation.