Appropriately Blending The Beans Of Argument To Create A Lovely Java Of Persuasion

Appropriately Blending the Beans of Argument to Create a Lovely Java of Persuasion

In the articles, “Mr. President, Stop the Torture!” by Ortiz and “Blowback” by Johnson, both authors use pathos to persuade the reader. Johnson demonstrates an effective use of pathos in his argument, while Ortiz is much more liberal in its usage.   While pathos is necessary in an effective argument, allowing pathos to dominate your entire article leaving no room for logos, or ethos, will dissuade readers from understanding your perspective and ultimately accepting your point of view. Pathos, is an emotional appeal, and is detrimental to presenting a good case, but Ortiz strictly uses pathos, and her argument suffers appropriately. Johnson’s argument is a fine blend of credibility, logic, and emotion, and because of his productive incorporation of the three, his argument is an obvious step up from Ortiz, who uses mainly pathos, and not enough logos or ethos in her argument.
          Johnson, the author of “Blowback”, has authored numerous books on East Asia and political violence, and is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and The Nation. The article itself, is actually taken from a book Johnson wrote, that expands upon the subject of blowback in a more in depth fashion. Johnson is a fairly credible resource, taking into consideration that he is an author of books that are relevant to the article itself, and makes regular contributions to several publications, that are fairly respected, and fairly well known.
Ortiz on the other hand, directs the Torture Abolition and Survivors Coalition in Washington D.C. She has received the U.S. Catholic Award for Furthering the Cause of Women in the Church, and this specific article comes from U.S. Catholic, she was also a victim of torture herself. Ortiz is credible to a degree. The fact that she directs a torture and support coalition does make her credible, although one cannot be certain if, or if not she directed such a...