Rhetorical analysis assignment - Essay Example

Thereby this essay intends to use the basics of rhetorical analysis to analyze and interpret the article The Gun that killed my Sister published in the opinion section of Politico. The author Elvin Daniel commands an intimate relationship with the content of the article as his sister was killed in the October 2012 Brookfield, Wisconsin spa shooting, thereby the approach of Elvin in the given article happens to be emotive and personal. This article intends to bring to fore one of the salient politico-social issues that have raked in much controversy in the America political and social circles, which is Gun Control.

The author does not preach a tough or staunch stance towards the issue of gun control, but rather tends to extend a reasonable and emotive plea to the readers that the online sale of guns ought to come within the legal purview of background checks. The overall approach of the author towards gun control is sane and logical as he mentions that, “I’ve seen how devastating Gun violence can be (Elvin 1).” Irrespective of the fact that the author in a way happens to be the firsthand victim of gun violence, as his sister got shot by her husband with a gun procured online and without succumbing to any background checks, the reason extended by the author is also based on facts and commonsense.

The author believes that the online sale of guns is fraught with dangerous possibilities, as he goes on to cite the conclusion arrived at by a report that, “every year tens of thousands of criminals and domestic abusers like Radcliffe are looking for guns on Armslist.com, where they can easily buy weapons from private sellers without a background check (Elvin 1).” The overall purpose of the author is to move the public opinion in support of the fact that the online sale of guns must come within the ambit of background checks.

Going by the fact that the writer’s sister herself got killed by a gun procured online without any background checks, the opinion expressed by the author happens to be utterly valid, credible and reliable. The thing is that the author is no way against guns as he acknowledges that, “I’m a gun owner, a hunter, and a member of the National Rifle Association (Elvin 1).” However, the writer staunchly supports a responsible attitude towards arms that no way opposes or decries a background check while purchasing arms at any online portal.

The writer intends to target a range of readers subscribing to Politico. The writer is targeting the common citizens, many of whom end up being victims of the gun violence on a daily basis. The writer may also be targeting the anti gun control organizations like the National Rifle Association, encouraging them to support a reasonable and midway approach towards gun control. The article also has an undeniable political angle as it also happens to target the law makers, ordinary citizens, think tanks, pressure groups and anybody who is concerned about the issue of gun control.

The article contains ample information that helps the readers construct the writer’s persona in their minds. Even a cursory perusal of the article testifies to the fact that the writer happens to be a person who has personally suffered from gun violence, as he clearly