Argument With Rhetorical Appeals

I picked a sports piece that ran a few years ago. Although older, it was so powerful when I saw it that it was the first thing that came to mind, and I felt like it hit all appeals perfectly. The piece, which can be found at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?categoryid=3060647&id=3066192, is about Jason Ray. Ray was the University of North Carolina mascot, and during the NCAA basketball tournament, he was struck by a car while walking to get some food. He died a few days later, but he was no where near done helping people. Ray was a good, well-rounded, extroverted person who tried to help as many people as he could, and because he was an organ donor, his help continued after his death. To this day, people are still alive because of the organs and tissues Ray provided.



I think the most obvious and well-used appeal in this story is pathos. The emotion spills out everywhere in the package, comes right through the screen and hits you with such force. The first time I watched it, I was brought to tears. It evokes so much emotion, and you feel so bad that someone so wonderful died so young, but you also feel joy that so many were saved because of his sacrifice. The interviews, shots, and pictures all do their part to make the pathos appeal so present and relevant in this story.



I feel ethos and logos are overshadowed by pathos, but nevertheless are represented. The ethos is in the reporter reporting and those she interviewed. Lisa Salters is a veteran reporter for ESPN, and I definitely trusted her and saw her as extremely credible. She backed that up with all the angles she covered in this fourteen and a half minute story. Those interviewed ranged from the Jason's parents, to those who received his organs and even the head coach of UNC, Roy Williams. She did a very good job at covering all of the bases, which further added to her credibility.



Logos was an integral part to the story as well because some of the facts mentioned were extremely powerful and shocking. One talked about how many people were helped from his death. Around 50 people were helped from his body. Those living today are carrying a piece of him with them, and he lives on through them. The other huge purpose logos served was telling the stories of those who received organs from Jason. How hard and long their path had been before Jason saved them was unbelievable.



All in all, this story uses all of the appeals in different ways, and it not only grabs your attention, but it makes you care. It has the power to evoke change. Who knows how many people might have become donors because of having seen this story. You know your story is important and truly meaningful when so much power radiates from it.