James Wilson Just Take Away Their Guns

1858 Words4 Pages

Alex McLellan English 112 Ms. Lawson 28 February 2014 Wilson’s Perfect Solution In his essay “Just Take Away Their Guns”, James Wilson presents to his readers the opinion that he holds about gun control laws, explaining why our aim as a society should be to get illegal guns out of the hands of criminals, rather than banning law abiding citizens from carrying them as well (Wilson 126). By explaining the problems that this issue brings to society, backed up with solid facts, he offers possible solutions to these problems to ultimately convince his audience that illegal guns must be removed from the streets. The title of an article is used to draw the reader to the writing. It is usually the first thing the reader sees and immediately gives a first impression of the writing at a quick glance. In James Wilson’s essay, he uses the title “Just Take Away Their Guns” (Wilson 154). This article captures the reader’s attention because it is not very specific. It makes the reader wonder, “Who is ‘they’?” At the same time, his title also offers a seemingly simple solution by using the word “just”. It leaves the reader thinking, “An easy solution to what?” His title is quite effective in capturing the reader’s attention. Opening paragraphs are usually used to introduce the topic to the audience. Usually in the opening paragraphs the author will provide some type of background information about the topic of the essay. This is meant to fill in the reader on some information that they need to know in order for their writing to make more sense to them. This is exactly what Wilson does when he begins his essay. He starts off his essay with a conflict that is currently happening ... ... middle of paper ... ...worth discussing. Not only does he do this, but also he uses statistics and examples to support his ideas, which automatically improves his credibility on the subject. Arguably the most impressive form of persuasion that Wilson uses is the fact that he illustrates to his audience specific solutions to the issues rather than just talking about the conflict and stating there needs to be a change. His use of all of these elements combined makes for a truly powerful essay that succeeds in convincing his audience that illegal guns should be removed from the streets, and also explaining where exactly to start that process. Work Cited Wilson, James Q. “Just Take Away Their Guns.” Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing: A Brief Guide to Argument. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's. 28 February 2014: 125-28. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Not By Math Alone

    677 Words  | 2 Pages

    When attempting to convince other to view an issue from a different standpoint, there are multiple different rhetorical strategies that can be utilized in order to effectively do so. In the article “Not by Math Alone,” by Sandra Day O’Connor and Roy Romer, the authors argue that school systems today lack the education needed to prepare students to take part in their government. O’Connor and Romer use a variety of persuasive techniques, including establishing credibility and presenting facts and evidence, to get the audience to see how rare civic learning is and why it is important for students to learn about these things. The authors instill trust in the audience as they provide information from credible sources that supports their purpose.

    Read More

  • Presidential Powers: A Comparsion of Predencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    ”(Neustadt, pg.11) Persuasion and bargaining are techniques that presidents can use to influence policy. Neustadt explains how persuasion can help a president get laws passed and to get favorable public opinion. Neustadt explains that bargaining is important in order to influence other politicians in Congress and inside of the executive branch. He stated that "The essence of a President's persuasive task is to convince such men that what the White House wants of them is what they ought to do for their sake and on their authority" (Neustadt, pg.30). Neustadt believes that a president should use persuasion rather than commanding because it is more effective.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Persuasive Symbols in Ronald Reagan's The Space Shuttle "Challenger" Tragedy Address

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...an is capable of persuading his audience into accepting his simplistic views of the world. He makes it easier to rationalize with his stance by his strategic use of sentence structure and word choice. When analyzing a past speech or interpreting a speech as it is given, upmost priority should be given to analytical tools for analyzing persuasive symbols and language. Whether the topic at hand is motivated by great emotions as it is here or not, the audience can easily be swayed in one direction surprisingly based only on universal comprehension.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Mark O 'Mara's' Gun Abate? What Gun Debate

    1114 Words  | 3 Pages

    In order to convey his argument O’Mara must first gain his reader’s trust. To do this, the author establishes his authority and his credibility through the editorial note, to show that he is knowledgeable to speak about the problem. Mark O’Mara’s authority checks out because he is a criminal defense attorney and he writes about “issues related to race, guns and self-defense in the context of the American criminal justice system”. So he is exposed to lot criminal acts some of which may be gun-related and so he knows how serious it is or the statistics on of which the mass shooting have increased. O’Mara appears sympathetic to his cause, as he uses facts based of emotions to make the reader feel and understand the point he is trying to make. To further credit his sources, he cites them from other notable news outlets like ABC and CNN news. The use of ethos strengths his argument because it gives the reader the confidence to believe in what the author is saying, as opposed to an author whose work is self-published and without any credentials. But O’Mara accusatory tone that implies Americans are don’t care about the shooting, drives away his American readers because it may be

    Read More

  • Gun Control versus Gun Rights

    1430 Words  | 3 Pages

    In America guns have been a part of the country’s society since it’s birth. Throughout history the citizens of the US have used firearms to protect the nation, protect their families, hunt for food and engage in sporting activities. The issue of Guns and gun control is complex. Weighing the rights and liberties of the individual against the welfare and safety of the public has always been a precarious balancing act. In the United States, gun control is one of these tumultuous issues that has both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. Those parties in favor of gun ownership and the freedom to use and keep arms, rely on the fact that the provision for such rights is enshrined in their constitution. In this climate of growing violence, rife with turmoil and crime, gun advocates feel more than ever that their position is justified. As citizens of the “Land of the Free” possessing a gun is a fundamental right, and may even be a necessity... Anti- gun lobbyists point to the same growing violence and gun related crimes in an effort to call on the government to take action. By enacting more laws and stricter control, these people not in favor of guns feel society would be better safer.

    Read More

  • Gun Legislation

    1005 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...lation. In all actuality, gun legislation is a serious issue and through this essay, a reader would simply believe that the gun legislation is fine and does not need to be stronger. Although he gives personal examples throughout the essay, other examples would enforce that there should be stronger gun legislation and that guns actually cause harm. Other examples would also make Verhulst's essay stronger and show that other people are just as weak as he is, and reader's would have a stronger belief that gun legislation is too weak. His examples alone promote guns and do not prevent them because the examples glorify his weakness to yield to the temptation. Although he believes that the causes of his weakness and other peoples' weakness is because of emotions that triumph over reason, a stronger and bolder person for stronger gun legislation would have self-control.

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Rhetorical Elements of Political Campaign Advertisements

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education, 2012. Print.

    Read More

  • WR 121 Final Self-Assessment

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before I started any essay in this class, I needed to find a question at issue. Finding a good question at issue means that it is arguable. Not an issue that no one would disagree with. Once a question at issue is established, I then come up with my enthymeme, which provides my claim and position to the question at issue. Following my claim is my because clause which states my reasoning. All three of my essays introduce the question at issue within the introductory. The introduction serves as foreshadowing of what my essay will be about and finally what I will be arguing. I introduced my enthymeme at the end of my introduction paragraph on all of my essays. In my first essay I address my question at issue by stating, “The photographer captures moments in time with hopes of these images having a positive influence on society” (Essay 1, 1) this raises a question at issue. Do photographs showing government interaction affect society ethical? After addressing this question at issue I moved right into my enthymeme to state my position backed by reason.

    Read More

  • Gun Control Is Not Enough

    1327 Words  | 3 Pages

    “I don’t believe people should be able to own guns. (Obama)” This said prior to Obama’s presidency, in the 1990’s, is still a topic that is constantly questioned today. Many American’s feel the need to seek ownership of weapons as a source of protection; While others believe that private ownership of guns will do nothing more but heighten the rate of violence due to people taking matters into his or her own hands. Philosophy professor Jeff McMahan agrees with Obama’s statement in regard to the ownership of guns. In his New York Times editorial titled “When Gun ‘Control’ Is Not Enough,” McMahan provides evidence to support his theory of the dangers that quickly follow when allowing the community to own guns legally. McMahan, throughout the text, shows responsible reasoning and allows the reader the opportunity to obtain full understanding and justifies his beliefs properly.

    Read More

  • Gun Control Will Not Reduce Crime

    1542 Words  | 4 Pages

    In "Just Take Away Their Guns," author James Q. Wilson argues that "Legal restraints on the lawful purchase of guns will have little effect on the illegal use of guns" (Wilson 63). Wilson points out that it would be tough to remove all legally purchased guns from the streets and nearly impossible to confiscate illegally purchased guns. Gun advocate J. Warren Cassidy argues that "The American people have a right 'to keep and bear arms'. This right is protected by the Second Amendment to the Constitution. . ." in an article titled "The Case for Firearms" (Cassidy 275). James B. Jacobs and Kimberly A. Potter wrote in an article called "Keeping guns out of the "wrong" hands: the Brady law and limits of regulations" that "US law enforcement should concentrate on stiff sentences for crimes committed with guns and recognize that gun control laws do not keep guns from the wrong people" (Jacobs and Potter 1 of 27). Daniel B. Polsby, author of "The false promise: gun control and crime," simply states, "Gun control laws don't work" (Polsby 1 of 11). Polsby feels that "gun control laws are ineffective because [they] have not been proven to be a deterrent to crime" (1 of 11). James D. Wright states, in his article "Second Thoughts about Gun Control," that "If there were fewer guns around, there would also be less crime and less violence" (Wright 93). More gun control laws will only make it a hassle for law abiding citizens to purchase guns. They will not keep guns out of the criminal's hands because they have other methods of obtaining guns, such as the secondary market which is the illegal sale of firearms. Another reason why more gun control legislation will backfire is that those who want to purchase guns to protect themselves a...

    Read More

  • Test

    675 Words  | 2 Pages

    Making a good and persuasive argument is very much an acquired skill. It requires much practice and perfecting. It takes more than just having passion and making good points. Just because a person is passionate about the topic or has supporting details does not mean they can make a successful argument. Much more thought and skill is required. Gordon Adams, in his letter to the Arizona State University standards committee, demonstrates this quite well. Gordon Adams writes a passionate argument, yet his argument lacks several critical aspects.

    Read More

  • The Right to Own a Gun

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    Guns, Crime, and Freedom states that, no gun law which restricts the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns has been proven to reduce crime or homicides, not even the Brady Law and the “Clinton Crime Bill.” These two laws st...

    Read More

  • Informative Essay: The Debate over Gun Control

    2111 Words  | 5 Pages

    Crime and guns. The two seem to go hand in hand with one another. But are the two really associated? Do guns necessarily lead to crime? And if so do laws placing restrictions on firearm ownership and use stop the crime or protect the citizens? These are the questions many citizens and lawmakers are asking themselves when setting about to create gun control laws. The debate over gun control, however, is nothing new. In 1924, Presidential Candidate, Robert La Follete said, “our choice is not merely to support or oppose gun control but to decide who can own which guns under what conditions.” Clearly this debate still goes on today and is the very reason for the formation of gun control laws.

    Read More

  • Gun Control: Annotated Bibliography

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this article the author Fawn Johnson gives us a brief look of what goes on during the great gun control debate. This article gives us a look at the gun control proposals, from American’s not bein...

    Read More

  • Should Gun Control Laws be Stricter?

    1343 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every day some news related to gun violence are being heard all over the world. Shooting in driveway, public places, schools, homicide and suicide are some of different types of gun violence. Shooting on people and killing them is a big issue in the world and different comments are provided about that. One of the most important of them is about gun control laws. Stingl (2013) says “The term gun control as it is used in the United States refers to any action taken by the federal government or by state or local governments to regulate, through legislation, the sale, purchase, safety, and use of handguns and other types of firearms by individual citizens.” According to this idea gun control laws should be stricter and people should not be able to have access to guns easily. However, there are many other people who believe this idea is not a good solution and never help. This essay will demonstrate for and against views about the topic. People who agree with this idea consider: firstly, stricter laws will reduce violence and gun control means crime control. Secondly, some research shows people with gun are more at risks of getting shot. Thirdly, guns can always be misused by their owners and finally, stricter law is the best and the faster way to control crime and make community safe. While opponents say first of all, guns are necessary for people safety and protection. Secondly, guns are not the only tools for killing and violence; there are other weapons too and finally, gun ownership is human rights.

    Read More

More about James Wilson Just Take Away Their Guns

Open Document