Rhetorical Essay: Shame is Worth a Try Essay

Dan M. Kahans seize down is Worth a Try was first published in the capital of Massach habituatetts Globe on August 5, 2001. In this essay, Kahan contends that the use of shame as a penalty of low level crimes is not only when effective, that is an economical and humane alternative to imprisonment. Its difficult to ascertain who Kahans intended audience is. However, because he uses examples of shame being utilise as an alternative sanction rough the country Drive drunk in Florida or Texas, and you king be required to place a strident DUI bumper sticker on your car (Kahan 574) I would venture to say that the familiar at large is whom he is possibly targeting. This is further reinforced by the fact that the condition chose to at least initially publish the word in the Boston Globe, a local Massachusetts newspaper. Kahan competently uses line of descent and comparison throughout his essay to illuminate a melodic theme that former(a) might be ignored. Nevertheless he event ually falls suddenly of being convincing, mainly, due to his lack of usage, of relevant facts and figures. Kahan opens his essay with the basic incertitude is shame an appropriate criminal visitment? (574).He then explores examples of its use in various jurisdictions. Refuse to make your child-support payments in Virginia, and you will chance that your vehicle has been immobilized with an appropriate colored boot (Kahan 575). Immediately after grabbing the referees perplexity with examples, Kahan presents a contrasting viewpoint. M some(prenominal) experts, however, are skeptical of these new shaming punishments. just about question their effectiveness as a deterrent(Kahan 575). This further elicits the lectors curiosity, pitch them to the heart of the issue. The actor eloquently asks the question, Who is correctly? (575). He then goes on to use a logos style exploration, of both sides of the issue. Kahans main claim is that proponents dont get that shame, can be as effe ctive as prison, at a lower overall damage 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 author does an admirable moving in of grabbing the readers attention proper from the start by giving interesting, and relevant examples of how shame has been employed around the country. ie DUIs in Texas, child-support in Virginia.Moreover, his use of logos styled arguments throughout the article does an excellent job of articulating his viewpoint while keeping the reader engaged. Kahan gains the readers respect by presenting well reasoned and intelligent viewpoints in such(prenominal) a focusing that its actually backbreaking to find any particular fault with his assertions. The authors choice to present an opposing view right from the start, although not as effective as it could shake up been, was an apropos way to strengthen his stance. In moving for ward, Kahan counterbalances some opponents by making it suddenly clear that his stance for shame based 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 evaluator brass. His strongest point though comes at the end of his article when he just now asks the question Why not at least give it a try? (Kahan 576).This seems to beg an additional question, since our current system is overloaded why not try a different approach? Kahans major ruination in this article is his insufficient use of relevant facts and figures. Although the author does part one particular study by Harold Grasmick that shows public disgrace exerts greater pressure to comply with the law than the threat of imprisonment and oth er imposing punishments. (Kahan 576). Overall it lacks 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 stomach established a sense of trustworthiness with his reader. Unfortunately, due to the lack 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 hit a nucleotide run in the credibility department. He does after all have an exceptionally distinguished law career. Unfortunately, he fails to do so, thus sledding the reader with too many unanswered questions.The last major malady of this essay is a complete lack of pathos style writing. Overcrowding, as well as, the shear nu mber of offenders in our criminal justice system alone is staggering. Thishot button upshot could have easily been used 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 tout ensemble, and as such completely fails in winning over his audience. In the writing of this essay, Kahan addresses an valuable topic of our times.Our current criminal justice system is overloaded and wrought with problems, and addressing how to punish petty crimes is certainly relevant. Yet his article, despite illuminating this controversial and important subject, fails in delivering the facts needed to inspire any sort of change. Kahan does an admirable job of creating interest in a topic many might other than ignore. However, he ultimately falls flat in the execution and leaves the reader floundering, rather than informed. As a last note, Khans writing style might not always include the use of pathos. Unfortunately for him his lack of allurement to emotion in this particular essay will render it ultimately forgettable.Works CitedKahan, Dan M. Shame is Worth a Try Models for Writers. Ed. genus Rosa Eschholz. Boston * New York Bedford/St. Martins, January 2012. 574-578 Print