Rhetoric in New York Times

1. “This ally has placed its trust in the United States,” Mr. Bush plans to say in his speech from the Oval Office. “And tonight, our moral and strategic imperatives are one: We must help Iraq defeat those who threaten its future — and also threaten ours.” http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/washington/13cnd-prexy.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin



I believe this uses Pathos to make us agree with the President's decision. By making us believe that Iraq has placed its trust in the U.S, it manipulates our feelings because you wouldn't let down or betray someone who has put its trust in you. While I don't believe it is a good argument because of why the war was originally started, excluding everything that happened before this, I believe it does work.


2. “His death also reminds us that the struggle will require continued perseverance, and the Iraqis are increasingly turning away from Al Qaeda, as a result of such extreme acts of violence,” Ms. Starr said. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/world/middleeast/13cnd-iraq.html?hp


This argument uses Pathos as well because it uses our sympathy for the man's death to believe that we have to continue in the struggle against terrorism. Although it uses Logos in that we obviously have to fight against terror, it is mostly Pathos, and it is a very good argument.

3. The X Prize Foundation saw the new contest as one of “the grand challenges of our time that we can use to move people forward,” said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, chairman and C.E.O. of the foundation. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/technology/13cnd-xprize.html?hp

This uses Logos in that the challenge will propel people to new heights of space travel and technology. Obviously, by testing people and offering a grand prize of $25 million, humans will move forward in that area.

4. “Sometimes the pain was so bad, I would just cry,” she said. “I didn’t know what else to do.”http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/health/policy/14cnd-health.html?_r=1&hp

This uses Pathos because it makes us feel bad for the woman by demonstrated her pain. Because of our sympathy for her, we are prompted to support a program such as the one the city of San Francisco has. This is therefore an excellent argument and an incredible program.

5.“Certainly this is a setback, but our future is still incredibly bright,” said Kevin Pritchard, the general manager of the Trail Blazers, in a statement today. “Is it disappointing? Yes. However, this is a great core of talent and players of strong character, and will continue to be.” http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/sports/basketball/14oden.html?hp

This uses Logos to tell us that the Portland TrailBlazers were immensly set back after Oden's surgery. Oden was supposed to be their "messiah", and losing a player of that caliber will obviously set back any team.