The author uses a title that helps to deliver the content of the essay because it presents a summary of the key idea. For instance, by indicating cars and guns are different the title provides a glimpse of what the essay discusses (MacLeod 81). In addition, it provides a clue that the essay will compare between cars and guns including the deaths involved and the way to control them. The title is instrumental in capturing the readers' attention because of the current debate on gun control in the United States.
Where the essay was originally published?
Journalist Nicholas Kristof originally published the essay in New York Times under the title “Our Blind Spot about Guns”. Initially, the columnist attempted to compare cars and guns aiming to provide an argument for sensible gun regulation (MacLeod 81). In this regard, he implied that gun regulations would be a milestone in drastically reduction of the mortality rate from gun use.
How does that original source help explain the author’s tone, the ideal audience, and any other aspect of the essay’s content?
The original source helped to explain the author’s tone because it attempt to criticize Kristof’s arguments. Therefore, he uses an argumentative tone to disapprove the original comparison between gun and cars (MacLeod 81). Additionally, it helps to create a tone which demonstrate that the Macleod accept some of the original arguments although there are some conflicting points of view. It also assists in identification of ideal audience who include the policy makers, legislators, and the public as well as the stakeholders who participate in the decision-making organs. The original essay is also essential in setting the issue of discussion because MacLeod tries to criticize it. Therefore, it sets the agenda for discussion, which is the reasoning behind cars’ speed regulation and gun control in the United States (MacLeod 81).
What is the author’s thesis statement? Is it directly state or only implied?
The author’s thesis statement indicates that although he accept Kristof’s argument that there must be more practical gun regulation, he disapproves the idea that all the legislation enforced on cars have enhanced their safety (MacLeod 81). He also opposes the impression that all the safety laws that Kristof advocates for guns would automatically lead to positive effects. The thesis statement is a directly state because it highlights the key issues that the author diverges from the early discussion (MacLeod 81).
Share some of the author’s evidence and evaluate the credibility of that evidence?
The author disagrees with Kristof’s idea that lowering the speed limit would enhance the safety. He uses empirical evidence to proof to the contrary. For instance, in 1987, after forty states increased the speed limit to 65 from 55 miles per hour, the fatality rates reduced in the highways to between 3.4-5.1 per cent (MacLeod 81). Similarly, Kristof had advanced the idea that more guns in the community cause more deaths. However, MacLeod countered the concept pointing out that affluent nations with high proportions of gun ownership had lower rates of murder and violence as opposed to those with fewer guns. For instance, in 1990, the violence in the US reduced after increase in gun ownership. The evidence is credible because it is based on facts (MacLeod 81).
Identify and share at least one example of a logical fallacy?
One of the logical fallacies in the essay is that increase in speed limits would result to increased road safety. The author highlighted that after states authorities raised the speed limit to 65 miles per hour the rate of fatalities reduced by between 3.4-5.1 per cent. Normally, when speeds limits are lowered, drivers are more likely to exercise safer driving as opposed to when speed limits are increased (MacLeod 81).
Discuss four words that you think may be problematic for some readers and provide their definitions and explain how they are used in the essay?
Fatality – refers to the number of deaths
High-risk groups – refers to categories of people who are more likely to be involved in illegal use of guns such as mass shooting
Safety – the condition of enjoying protection from injury or danger from gun use
Gun density – refers to approximated number of guns in a given population
Opinion about the essay topic and the quality of the author’s argument
The essay has a good and concise topic, which helps to deliver the content and thoughts of the author. The author provides quality arguments because they are supported by statistics, facts and textual evidence as opposed to his mere opinion (MacLeod 81).
Five multiple-choice questions
1. Who is the author of the essay
A. Daniel Webster
B. Gary Mauser
C. Nicholas Kristof
D. Jacob MacLeod
2. Where was the essay originally published
A. Washington Post
B. ABC News
C. New York Times
D. CNN News
3. What is the author’s evidence that gun regulation does not necessary increase safety?
A. Higher gun ownership in developing nations reduces violence
B. Higher gun ownership in developed nations reduces violence
C. Lower gun ownership in developing nations reduces violence
D. Lower gun ownership in developed nations reduces violence
4. Which one is the key characteristic of a good title?
A. Concise statement
B. Long statement
C. Comprehensive statement
D. Open statement
5. Which one is not needed to offer evidence and reason that support the argument
A. Statistics
B. Facts
C. Opinion
D. Textual evidence
Work cited
MacLeod, Jacob. Guns And Cars Are Different. 1st ed. Print
