Rhetorical Analysis Of Mass Shootings By Derek Thompson

In his article, author Derek Thompson highlights the felonious actions that mark today’s society. Thompson’s purpose is to call lawmakers and researchers alike to take a stand against mass shootings and to stop the perpetrators. He utilizes stylistic devices as well as argumentative devices to enlighten the reader of the relationship between all of the recent shootings and their contagion. Beginning his article, Thompson lists the recent mass murders in the United States while also using figurative language, convincing the reader to agree with his argument that mass shootings are contagious. He claims that the murderous rampages are like epidemics. This comparison of the mass murders to a sickness or disease creates a sense of urgency to control and stop the murders as the Center of Disease Control would control and find a cure for a medical epidemic. Later, he furthers his analogy by stating that mass shootings “infect new potential murderers.” This analogy proposes that murderers are infected and that when they commit mass murder it’s like coughing on someone; it spreads the sickness to a

Using loaded diction, the author drives in his point that explicit media coverage is harmful. He claims that the “public glorification” that comes after the mass shooting, encourages others that may want to do the same because they receive attention from millions of people. The use of the phrase “public glorification” suggests that these criminals have an unwavering desire for attention and a narcissistic mentality. Thompson claims that mass shootings have “inherent and unambiguous value” and that it would be “absurd” to not report on it. Claiming that the mass shootings have been permanently placed in news broadcasting, and also that it would be wrong or impossible to ask the reporters to disregard them suggests that there is no way to stop the spread of mass