1. John McMurtry's essay begins with a personal anecdote about the results of playing sports especially football-since childhood. When he can no longer ignore his physical condittion he seeks treatment and is hospitilized. How does th anecdote lend credubility to his argument?
Answer: By opening with his own personal experiences, McMurty not only introduces his topic but confirms that he has authority to speak on the subject. This personal anecdote gains McMurtry credibility by making himself a part of the evidence that supports his argument. This story shows that, through his experiences, he knows the cause and effect of football related injuries.
2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does this comparison appeal to logos?
Answer: This comparison is convincing because McMurty gives many examples in different areas such as slang, history, principles, and practices in which they are similar. He supports this part of his argument well by prestenting integrated slang and metaphores. This comparision appeals to logos in that McMurty gives many very specific examples. Thus creating concreat evidence for his claim.
3. In paragraph 9 the tone shifts. How is the shift achieved? Explain how the shift mirrors a transition in McMurtry's argument.
Answer: McMurty shifts the tone by explaining how, as he made his way through organized footaball, "the game had been ruined" by the enforcement of rules and the overal goal. It was no longer about playing "in a spirit of reckless abandon and laughter" but a battle to see who could harm the other more. This mirrors in the transition of his argument in that at this point he starts to refute the game of football rather than praise it.
4. Who is McMurty's audience? Is it necessary for th ereader to understand or care about football in order to understand what McMurty is saying about society? Explain.
Answer: McMurty's does not have a particular audience. He is speaking to the general public. Though it would be helpful to know a bit about football in order understant the slang McMurty uses in the opening of his argument and the physical pain players endure it is not necessary to undersand his connection to society because he is talking about the brutality of the sport rather than specific rules.
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