The blind spot about guns (Coursework Sample)

Week 1 Discussion: "Our Blind Spot About Guns" by Nicholas Kristof Author Instructor Affiliation Course Date Week 1 Discussion: "Our Blind Spot About Guns" by Nicholas Kristof Title: "Our Blind Spot About Guns" by Nicholas Kristof. Topic: This presentation is about the societal aspects of guns, violence, and the general public perception of gun control in the U.S. Kristof's Argument: Kristof dwells on the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to the gun control policy, stressing the need to expose the blind spots in the public perception of guns and violence. His argument includes the need for balanced regulation and the effect of gun violence on the community. Evidence: Kristof uses several evidential elements in his argument to reinforce his position on gun control. Using statistics, he provides an image of gun violence and the corresponding gun-related deaths and injuries in the USA, compared with other countries. In addition, Kristof uses case studies that show the effects of loose regulations on people and society. He explains the development of gun rights and laws in America and how the interpretation of the Second Amendment has changed. Kristof can also include personal experiences or expert opinions for a human element and credibility to his argument. This wide assortment of information creates a comprehensive and convincing picture of his views on gun control. Writing Strategy (Rhetorical Mode): Kristof employs logical appeal to communicate his point effectively. He uses real examples, statistics, and case studies to illustrate the effects of gun violence on people and their communities. This strategy renders the topic visible and real, provoking an emotional response. Kristof highlights some specific instances and consequences of gun violence, appealing to pathos so as to push the readers into taking serious measures to deal with gun control. Your Position on the Topic: (Author’s Response) To me, Kristof's view on gun control is quite acceptable. He makes a strong argument for a nuanced way to approach gun violence. Kristof's argument highlights the necessity of tackling the blind sides of our comprehension of guns, and I agree we need to approach this subject comprehensively and in a balanced way. Do you agree or disagree with author? Why? I agree with Kristof because more stringent control on the gun issue will make people safer. The author has a strong argument for the enactment of more strict gun control laws, comparing cars and guns. This comparison shows the possibility of improving public safety by employing common sense gun control, including limiting gun trafficking, conducting universal background checks, and researching further into gun violence prevention. What I would do differently if you were to present this argument The effect of giving such a presentation is also highly dependent on emotional appeal. Consequently, I would pick sensational cases of gun violence to provoke empathy and compassion in the audience. Besides, I would cite statistics and data related to the terrifying outcomes of gun violence, like the number of victims and the extent of damage to communities, to stimulate seriousness on the issue. The argument would be more impactful if it were presented by combining emotional narratives with the data to show the need for more stringent gun control regulations. Reasons why someone might disagree with the author's stance Some may disagree for various reasons, such as prioritizing Second Amendment Rights, self-defense issues, and doubts concerning the effectiveness of regulations, which would be possible to violate via illegal gun acquisition. For instance, even as Kristof calls for stricter gun control, Jeffrey Goldberg argues that increased responsible gun ownership can enhance public safety. Goldberg in “The Case for More Guns (and More Gun Control)” argues that it is possible to miss the positive aspects of a well-regulated armed citizenry by focusing too much on restricting access to firearms. He calls for a holistic approach that includes both increased gun ownership and e...