Woody Hochswender's Essay

Essence

Discussion Board Forum 1 2012

After analyzing Woody Hochswender's essay, I do find his argument persuasive. His effective use of logics¸ emotions and ethics enabled me to understand his point of view.

In the very beginning of his essay he revealed to the audience through the use of logos his reason for driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Contrary to what members of the opposing group, such as Arianna Huffington believed, Hochswender was able to, through the use of Ethos, acknowledge that "SUV's use a lot of gas" (Hochswender, 2003, p.2, para.8). However, he rightfully asks if "we were to somehow cut our national fuel consumption by 20 percent, would that deprive the terrorism sponsors of cash?" (Hochswender, 2003, p.2, para.10) Hochwender continued his emotional appeal (pathos) as he has invited the audience to take into consideration the benefits of SUV's. For example in the article he challenged the audience to hypothetically imagine, ".... some drunken driver veers across the center divider-a situation I have no control over, I would prefer that my 9-year old and I not be inside a Corolla" (Hochswender, 2003, p.2, para.7).

In comparing the author's argument to his opposition's beliefs concerning the use of SUV's and the support of Terrorism, parallels can be found with Christianity. One may oppose Christian beliefs due to a lack of understanding of what Christianity involves. It's the Christian believer's appeal through the use of Ethos that transforms and convicts someone to shift their beliefs.

References

Hochswender, W. (2003, February 16). Did My Car Join Al Qaeda? The New York

Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com