1. John McMurty'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 condition, he seeks treatment and is hospitalized. How does the anecdote lend credibility to his argument?
The anecdote assists in establishing ethos. By mentioning that he participated in football himself lends him more credibility in the subject that he is writing about. The reader is more likely to listen to, and believe a writer who has personal experience.
2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
The comparison is very convincing. He mentions specific examples of how they are similar. Such as how after a football game there is an "injury report" in the same way that there is a "body count" after a battle. The overall goal of both is the same: hurt the other too badly to continue. These obvious comparisons are the reason it appeals to logos.
4. In paragraph 14, McMurty cites a Harvard study showing that some of the more brutal characteristics of football players are valued in the business world. How do the findings support McMurty's argument against the brutality of football?
"Systematically destroying and harming human life" is the whole purpose of football. Squeamishness is looked down upon in football. It teaches players to fight and main others with no regard for them selves or anyone else. A football player must be able to "[accept] inflicted injury." In order to play football one must remove all emotional attachment to things and just keep hurting others. McMurty's rough diction allows him to show that football turns normal human beings into mindless brutes.
7. Who is McMurty's audience? Is it necessary for the reader to understand or care about football in order to understand what McMurty is saying about society? Explain.
McMurty's audience is anyone who is interested in football or the effects of football. The reader does not have to know a single thing about football in order to understand his message. He uses enough detail and good explanation to make his point to any reader. He writes in such a way that the reader gains an understanding of the brutality of football and how it is apparent in modern society.
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