English 105 Rhetorical Analysis Of News

English 105 2016 2017rhetorical Analysis Of Newsrhetorical Situationa

Analyze three different news articles on the same basic topic, working to understand how each one functions. Examine rhetorical elements such as ethos, use of evidence, and other strategies, determining if any logical fallacies are present. Describe how these elements influence different audiences, providing evidence from each text. Focus the analysis on how each author frames and presents the topic, not on offering personal opinions.

Select three recent news articles from different perspectives and sources representing various categories (left, left-center, neutral, right-center, right, conspiracy/pseudoscience, satire). Prepare printouts for class approval and brainstorming. Read thoroughly, annotate, and identify patterns. Decide on specific rhetorical elements to analyze beyond ethos and evidence, such as appeals to pathos, logical constructions, or bias. Track evidence supporting your claims about the effects of rhetorical strategies and provide contextual background for each article to aid understanding.

Create a unique, engaging title for your analysis. The paper should be approximately 5-7 double-spaced pages, include the word count, and follow either MLA or APA format with 11- or 12-point font. Avoid paragraph breaks within the main body of the text.

Paper For Above instruction

In contemporary media landscape, the portrayal of news events can vary remarkably depending on the source's ideological stance and target audience. The framing of incidents such as the Orlando Nightclub Shooting exemplifies how different news outlets deploy rhetorical strategies—including ethos, pathos, and logos—to influence audience perception. Analyzing three articles from distinct ideological perspectives reveals not only their unique rhetorical approaches but also how these approaches shape collective understanding and emotional response to tragic events.

The first article examined is from Fox News, a right-leaning source that emphasizes themes of terrorism and national security. Its title, “49 killed in shooting at Florida nightclub in possible act of Islamic terror,” immediately invokes an emotional response by framing the event within the context of Islamic terrorism, a topic that resonates strongly with conservative audiences concerned about national security and Islamic extremism. The use of the term “Islamic terror” functions as a powerful appeal to pathos, evoking fear or anger, and positions the incident within a broader geopolitical threat. Furthermore, Fox News strengthens its credibility—its ethos—by quoting high-profile authorities such as the Orlando police chief, the sheriff, the governor, and referencing official sources like the ATF (FBI 2016). Including such credible voices assures the audience of the reliability of the information and aligns the narrative with a perspective favoring strong security measures against perceived threats.

In contrast, NBC's coverage adopts a more empathetic tone, focusing on the victims rather than assigning immediate blame. Its article, “Orlando Nightclub Shooting: Mass Casualties After Gunman Opens Fire in Gay Club,” emphasizes the personal stories by listing victims’ names and photographs, thereby humanizing the tragedy. This approach appeals strongly to pathos by fostering emotional connection and compassion among viewers. The quotes from President Obama are used carefully; NBC features his remarks expressing empathy and support for the LGBTQ+ community (NBC News 2016). This focus on victims’ stories and emotional appeals shapes a different perception: one emphasizing community resilience and compassion rather than blame or security threats.

American mainstream media also includes analyses from neutral sources such as USA Today, which maintains a more factual and balanced tone. Its article, “Fla. Shop alerted FBI to body armor inquiry,” concentrates on the investigative aspect of the event, emphasizing the procedural and evidentiary elements over emotional or ideological framing. Quoting FBI officials, the report highlights the potential lead-up to the shooting, providing a perspective that is less about emotional response and more about understanding the factual progression of the case. This detachment fosters a sense of objectivity, appealing primarily to logos and ethos—establishing credibility through factual evidence and authoritative sources.

Throughout these articles, appeals to authority are prominent. Each relies on credible figures—government officials, law enforcement, and President Obama—to reinforce their narratives. Notably, President Obama’s statements are selectively quoted to align with each outlet’s narrative: Fox emphasizes the act of terror with quotes framing it as hate-driven violence, while NBC emphasizes empathy and the human toll. This selective quoting exemplifies how rhetorical strategies are employed to persuade audiences according to ideological alignments and emotional preferences.

Another critical observation is how the use of evidence and language influences audience perception. Fox’s emphasis on terms like “Islamic terror” primes viewers to associate the event with specific security concerns, reinforcing a narrative compatible with conservative perspectives. Conversely, NBC’s presentation of victim photographs and biographies fosters emotional engagement and personal identification with the victims, encouraging viewers to empathize rather than react defensively. USA Today’s reliance on security and investigation-related evidence appeals to a logical understanding of the incident, inviting the audience to consider procedural aspects without emotional sway.

Logical fallacies are present in some reporting—for example, Fox’s immediate framing of the event as terrorism without discussing broader context or evidence to substantiate the claim—potentially leading to oversimplification. Such fallacies serve to evoke emotional reactions and reinforce pre-existing beliefs among the audience. Conversely, NBC’s careful avoidance of immediate blame and focus on victim narratives helps prevent conclusions based solely on emotional manipulation, thus aligning more closely with critical thinking and balanced reporting.

The rhetorical differences among these sources demonstrate how news framing can significantly affect public perceptions of an event. Sources with a clear ideological stance tend to emphasize certain elements—security threats or human compassion—to resonate with their audiences’ values. By analyzing the use of ethos, pathos, and logos, as well as the strategic inclusion of authoritative quotes and emotional content, this examination underscores the power of rhetorical strategies in shaping narratives. Consequently, it highlights the importance for consumers of news to recognize these rhetorical cues and approach information critically, considering how language and evidence are employed to influence perceptions and opinions.

References

  • NBC News. (2016). Orlando nightclub shooting: Mass casualties after gunman opens fire in gay club. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com
  • Fox News. (2016). 49 killed in shooting at Florida nightclub in possible act of Islamic terror. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com
  • FBI. (2016). FBI investigation of the Orlando shooting. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov
  • Author Unknown. (2016). Orlando shooting survivor accounts. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
  • Johnson, K. (2016). FBI reports on Orlando attack. USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com
  • Perloff, R. M. (2010). The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century. Routledge.
  • Bitzer, L. F. (1968). The rhetorical situation. Philosophy & Rhetoric, 1(1), 1-14.
  • Grabe, M. E., & Kiousis, S. (2006). Prime-time television's portrayal of terrorism and its impact on viewers' attitudes. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 83(4), 804-824.
  • Freeman, J. B., & Ambady, N. (2010). The development of social cognition in children. Child Development Perspectives, 4(4), 180-184.
  • Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51-58.

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