Review Of Fracking's Problems Go Deeper Than Water Pollution By Nick Stockton

SUMMARY Journalist, Nick Stockton, in the article, “Fracking’s Problems Go Deeper Than Water Pollution,” published in June 2015, addresses the topic of hydraulic fracturing and argues that fracking has more negative consequences than one might think. Stockton supports his claim first by appealing emotionally through a short summary of a recent event involving fracking and also by utilizing evidence to back up his statements. The author’s overall purpose is to highlight outcomes of fracking in order to make more people aware of issues that can arise from this common way of obtaining energy. Stockton utilizes a scientific, yet critical tone in order to create an unbiased article and appeal to his audience’s concern for the well being of the

He starts his article by writing, “SALTY, CHEMICAL-LADEN FLUID leaked for two hours before anyone from Vantage Energy let Arlington city officials knew there had been an accident at the hydraulic fracturing well next to the Baptist church. It would be another 22 hours before they plugged the leak.” By starting his article in this way, the issue of fracking quickly becomes negative in the eyes of his audience. Using words such as “chemical-laden” effectively creates a gross feeling with his readers and he is able to direct these emotions towards his argument. He continues to employ pathos later in his article when he finishes the piece by writing, “Speaking of Arlington, that faulty well has been repaired, and is one inspection away from reopening.” He brings back the issue of Arlington, on top of all the negative impacts of fracking, in a way that reminds the audience of the negative views towards fracking they had at the beginning of the article. His use of pathos is effective because it evokes emotions from his audience and, as a result, his argument seems more valid and