The Critical Evaluation Essay

Jamie Smothers
Professor Coleman Myron
English 102
27 January 2013
The Critical Evaluation Essay
Throughout mankind, there have been many battles. How much destruction is needed before the war is over with? There have been plenty of demolition, and many people have died to serve and protect their country. In WWII and the Mongol Conquest alone, there were around a billion deaths. This type of destruction is why Szilard wrote a letter of petition to the president about the use of atomic power. America should not result to the use of atomic power until further information can be gathered.
The letter goes over atomic power; more specifically Szilard discusses the atomic bomb and how it should not be used. Szilard writes the president “ It places in your hands, as Commander-in-Chief, the fateful decision whether or not to sanction the use of such bombs in the present phase of the war against Japan.” (Szilard) This is followed with reasoning why the United States should reframe from using such force. Szilard uses pathos, ethos, and logos to support his points and reasoning.
Szilard uses pathos that which relies on the audience’s (President) emotions and feelings. He appeals to the president’s feelings by stating “At present our Air Forces, striking at the Japanese cities, are using the same methods of warfare which were condemned by American public opinion only a few years ago when applied by the Germans to the cities of England.” (Szilard) This statement is made to show that not to long ago this type of warfare was discussed and voted no for a reason so why use it now. This will only keep us “on this path of ruthlessness.” (Szilard)
Szilard also uses ethos to give him and the other scientist he has worked with credibility and show they know what they are talking about. “We, the undersigned scientists, have been working in the field of atomic power for a number of years.” (Szilard) He knows the power and devastation the atomic bomb can cause and thinks its not a good time to use such force. “We feel, however, that such an attack on Japan could not be justified in the present circumstances.” (Szilard) He feels the Japanese should be afforded the opportunity to be able and respond to the terms offered to them for peace until further action is taken.
Szilard also uses logos throughout the entire letter, he makes it logical by the flow he follows with his petition. He first starts off by telling the audience what he will be discussing, then introduces who he is, and follows with his argument with support material. Another reason Szilard makes this logical is he does not tell the president what to do, he only offers his recommendations on how to address the use of atomic power as a scientist. As a scientist his message is clear on how he feels “In view of the foregoing, we, the undersigned, respectfully petition that you exercise your power as Commander-in-Chief to rule that the United States shall not, in the present phase of the war, resort to the use of atomic bombs.” (Szilard)
In conclusion Szilard wrote a letter of petition to the president, the letter contained reasons why he felt the atomic bomb should not be used at that specific phase of the war. He wrote this letter to the Commander-in-Chief trying to prove his argument using pathos, ethos, and logos. Pathos was used to convince the president alone, ethos was used to prove the credibility of his writing, and presented the information in a logical manner for logos. Work Cited
Szilard, Leo and Cosigners. “A Petition to the President of the United States.” Atomicarchive.com. 2011. Web. 27 January 2013.

Cited: Szilard, Leo and Cosigners. “A Petition to the President of the United States.” Atomicarchive.com. 2011. Web. 27 January 2013.