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?
John McMurty establishes ethos through the use of his anecdote by stating the nature of his occupation. He explains that he bagan to notice his injury "when [he] reached for any sort of large book". This statement alone signals to the reader that McMurty's job involves a great deal of academic knowledge and understanding since he is consistenly recquiring the assistance of "large books". McMurty goes on to establish his specific occupation - "a philosophy teacher at the University of Guelph". This job title establishes the fact that McMurty is a highly educated man, thus establishing a sense of credibility or ethos.
2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
McMurty creates a convincing comparison between football and war by stating the similarity of their languages and their principles. McMurty does not ask his ausience to take his word for either. He gives specific examples of the common vocabulary shared between war and football. "Field general," "long bomb,"take a shot;" front line," pursuit," "good hit," and "the draft" are specific examples that McMurty provides his readers. He also provides his readers with examples of the common principles. These examples include such things as, "mass hysteria, the art of intimidation, absolute command and total obedience, territorrial aggression, censorship, inflated insignia and propaganda, blackboard maneuvers and strategies, drills, uniforms, formations, marching band, and training camps." This argument appeals to logos by presenting facts and fact based opinions.
6. Consider the language of football, especially the words shared by the military. What sports other than football have a militaristic side?
Not all sports have a militaristic vocabulary but they do have a militaristic mind set. Every sport, from ballet to football, recquires extreme self discipline, respect for leaders, ability to perservere, and many hours of dedicated practice. In sports and in the military there is no quitting, no whinning, and no disrespect. Some of these militaristic motifs are good things, however, some are not. High school athletes should not worry for their physical safety as much as an officer in the army.
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 is writing to everyone in society but could possibly be specifically writing to the parents of high school athletes. The reader does not have to specifically care about football in order to grasp the purpose of McMurty's article. He is explicitly writing to speak of the nature of society to let a game become more than just a game and society's willingness to allow young men and women to become injured in the name of the gam.
1. You could also say he establishes his ethos as he used to be a professional athlete. Not only is he an educated man, but he has personal experience in the athletic field.
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