Rhetorical Essay: Shame is Worth a Try Essay

Dan M. Kahans Shame is worth a Try was first published in the capital of Massachusetts Globe on disdainful 5, 2001. In this sample, Kahan cont bars that the using up of shame as a penalty of low level crimes is not only effective, but is an sparing and humane substitute(a) to imprison housement. Its uncontrollable to ascertain who Kahans intended reference is. However, beca accustom he uses examples of shame being enforce as an alternative sanction more or less the country Drive drunk in Florida or Texas, and you might be take to place a conspicuous DUI bumper hoodlum on your car (Kahan 574) I would surmise to say that the cosmos at considerable is whom he is possibly targeting. This is tho reenforce by the fact that the occasion chose to at least initi solelyy publish the oblige in the Boston Globe, a local Massachusetts newspaper. Kahan competently uses contrast and coincidence throughout his essay to illuminate a conquer that some differently might be igno red. Nevertheless he finally fall short of being convincing, mainly, due to his overlook of usage, of applicable facts and figures. Kahan opens his essay with the basic indecision is shame an abstract criminal penalty? (574).He then explores examples of its use in various jurisdictions. Refuse to make your child-support payments in Virginia, and you will find that your vehicle has been immobilized with an appropriate colored boot (Kahan 575). Immediately afterward grabbing the subscribers attention with examples, Kahan presents a contrasting viewpoint. many another(prenominal) experts, however, are skeptical of these new shaming punishments. many apparent motion their effectiveness as a deterrent(Kahan 575). This further elicits the refs curiosity, bringing them to the mall of the issue. The designer eloquently asks the read/write head, Who is rightfulness? (575). He then goes on to use a logos style exploration, of both sides of the issue. Kahans main claim is tha t prop 1nts dont get that shame, can be as effective as prison, at a lower overall cost to society. Kahan further argues and finishes strongly with the statement that the overall question shouldnt be is shame a proper punishment, but how do we employ its use properly? The power does an admirable job of grabbing the readers attention right from the start by giving interesting, and relevant examples of how shame has been employed closely-nigh the country. ie DUIs in Texas, child-support in Virginia.Moreover, his use of logos styled arguments throughout the article does an sharp job of articulating his viewpoint while care the reader engaged. Kahan gains the readers respect by presenting nearly modestnessed and intelligent viewpoints in much(prenominal) a way that its really challenging to find any circumstance fault with his assertions. The authors choice to present an fence view right from the start, although not as effective as it could have been, was an apropos way to s trengthen his stance. In mournful forward, Kahan counterbalances some opponents by making it dead clear that his stance for shame ground penalties applies to minor infractions of the law only . theres obviously no alternative to imprisonment for murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals (Kahan 575). By using examples of these shame based penalties from around the country, the author also makes it appear to the reader that he is knowledgeable in matters concerning our umpire frame. His strongest point though comes at the end of his article when he simply asks the question Why not at least give it a try? (Kahan 576).This seems to request an additional question, since our current system is overload why not try a different approach? Kahans major pin in this article is his insufficient use of relevant facts and figures. Although the author does reference one point study by Harold Grasmick that shows public disgrace exerts greater pressure to harmonize with the law than the threat of imprisonment and other formal punishments. (Kahan 576). Overall it drops the kind of hard figures it would take statistically to reinforce his claim. If the author had chosen to include some statistics on say, the effectiveness of alternative sanctions, or showed a cost analysis on prison sentences. He would have established a sense of trustworthiness with his reader. Unfortunately, due to the inadequacy of those types of hard figures his essay lacks credibility. That lack of credibility, leaves the reader to wonder, just how knowledgeable is this author with this subject? If Kahan had just chosen to tell us a little about himself and his background, he could have very well scud a home run in the credibility department. He does after all have an exceptionally distinguished law career. Unfortunately, he fails to do so, thus release the reader with too many nonreciprocal questions.The last major complaint of this essay is a complete lack of commiseration style pie ce. Overcrowding, as well as, the snip number of offenders in our criminal rightness system alone is staggering. Thishot waiver take could have easily been utilise to stir up some emotion and passion in his argument. In this way, the author would have essentially legitimized his stance, as well as, inspired his readers to take action. For whatever reason though, the author chose to ignore this completely, and as such completely fails in winning over his audience. In the writing of this essay, Kahan addresses an important topic of our times.Our current criminal justice system is overloaded and wrought with problems, and addressing how to punish niggling crimes is certainly relevant. Yet his article, despite lighten this controversial and important subject, fails in delivering the facts compulsory to inspire any sort of change. Kahan does an admirable job of creating interest in a topic many might otherwise ignore. However, he ultimately falls at once in the execution and l eaves the reader floundering, quite than informed. As a last note, Khans writing style might not always include the use of pathos. Unfortunately for him his lack of appeal to emotion in this particular essay will render it ultimately forgettable.Works CitedKahan, Dan M. Shame is Worth a Try Models for Writers. Ed. Rosa Eschholz. Boston * New York Bedford/St. Martins, January 2012. 574-578 Print