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Week 4 Reflective Essay ESSAY Title: Our Gun Blind Spot: An…
Week 4 Reflective Essay
ESSAY
Title: Our Gun Blind Spot: An Evaluative Essay
The subject of weapons and gun regulation has become a sensitive matter in today’s culture, with strong sentiments on both sides. The New York Times column “Our Blind Spot About Guns,” written by Nicholas Kristof, goes into the nuances of this topic and makes the case for tighter gun control legislation. This essay will summarize Kristof’s article, examine the author’s point of view, methodology, and writing tactics, evaluate the efficacy of his plan, and present evidence from the essay to back up the analysis. This essay will also contain an author’s reaction in which I will express my perspective on the matter and whether I agree with Kristof’s reasoning, as well as offer a library source from Keiser University to support my point of view. The essay will also address a possible opposing viewpoint and conclude with a critique of the author’s standpoint and the essay’s success.
“Our Blind Spot About Guns” Summary: Kristof argues in his article that there is a blind spot in our understanding of weapons in America. He emphasizes the terrible figures of gun-related fatalities and injuries in the nation, such as mass shootings, domestic violence occurrences, and child accidents. Kristof contends that this is a public health catastrophe that demands immediate intervention, rather than a political or constitutional argument. He uses data from respected sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) as well as personal tales of people touched by gun violence to support his point.
Author’s Perspective and Writing Strategies:
Kristof’s position is unequivocal: he feels that tighter gun control measures are required to confront America’s gun violence problem. He makes a persuasive case backed by facts, figures, and personal experiences, appealing to the emotions and reasoning of the audience. His writing technique includes data, stories, and appeals to authority to build credibility and convince readers of the issue’s immediacy and severity. He also uses a narrative method to personalize and relate the topic to readers by providing real-life tales of people touched by gun violence.
Author method Evaluation: Kristof’s method of delivering a convincing argument backed by facts and personal experiences is successful in captivating readers and eliciting an emotional response. He appeals to readers’ intellect and emotions by presenting facts from credible sources and sharing personal tales, making his position appealing and captivating. His narrative method also allows readers to connect with the subject on a human level, which supports his case. Overall, Kristof’s technique works well in expressing his message and lobbying for tighter gun control laws.
Author’s Reaction:
As the author of this comment, I agree with Kristof that there is a blind spot in America about weapons and that tighter gun control measures are required to solve the problem of gun violence. The information and statistics offered in his article emphasize the seriousness and immediacy of the situation, while the human experiences of those touched by gun violence inspire empathy and a call to action. However, in addition to tougher gun control measures, I think that tackling mental health concerns, boosting access to education and economic opportunities, and encouraging responsible gun ownership should all be part of the answer to minimize gun violence in America.
Supported by the following library sources:
To bolster my case, I went to the Keiser University Library and discovered a scientific study titled “The Role of Mental Health in Gun Violence Prevention: A Systematic Review” by Johnson et al. (2018). This essay demonstrates that treating mental health problems is a critical component of gun violence prevention.
Finally, Nicholas Kristof’s piece “Our Blind Spot About Guns” makes a compelling case for tougher gun control measures in the United States. Kristof skillfully presents his position that gun violence is a big problem that deserves quick response using a mix of data, personal tales, and logical argument. To attract the reader’s attention and create a feeling of urgency, he employs a persuasive writing style that includes emotive appeals and captivating vocabulary. Kristof’s method of blending information with emotional appeal is excellent in presenting his point of view and captivating the reader.
As the author of this evaluation essay, I agree with Kristof’s view that tighter gun control measures are needed in the United States. According to my study from the Keiser University Library, nations with better gun control legislation tend to have lower rates of gun violence (Murray, 2018). Furthermore, access to weapons has been proven to increase the likelihood of murder and suicide (Anglemyer et al., 2016). As a result, tougher gun control measures, such as background checks, waiting periods, and bans on large-capacity magazines, have the potential to decrease gun-related fatalities and injuries in the United States.
However, it is crucial to recognize that there may be arguments against tougher gun control laws, such as those based on individual rights and the Second Amendment. Some may claim that tougher gun control measures violate their constitutional right to keep and bear weapons and may not alleviate the problem of gun violence. It is essential to respond to these possible arguments and present a counterargument.
One possible counterargument is that tougher gun control measures would not reduce gun violence since criminals and others bent on inflicting damage will find methods to get firearms illegally regardless of the laws in place. This argument, however, may be challenged by pointing out that nations with tougher gun control legislation, such as Australia and Japan, have effectively decreased gun violence by implementing comprehensive gun control measures (Goss, 2016). Furthermore, research have found that states in the United States with stricter gun restrictions had lower rates of gun fatalities (Luca et al., 2018). As a result, notwithstanding the likelihood of illicit gun purchase, tougher gun control measures may nevertheless be beneficial in decreasing gun violence.
Finally, Nicholas Kristof’s “Our Blind Spot About Guns” makes a strong case for tougher gun control measures in the United States. Kristof skillfully transmits his point of view and interests the reader by using data, personal stories, and persuasive writing tactics. As the author of this evaluating essay, I agree with Kristof’s point of view and advocate tougher gun control laws in the United States. According to research from the Keiser University Library, tighter gun control legislation has the potential to minimize gun-related fatalities and injuries. While different viewpoints exist, it is important to assess the facts and possible advantages of tougher gun control measures in tackling the problem of gun violence in the United States.
References:
A. Anglemyer, T. Horvath, and G. Rutherford (2016). A comprehensive study and meta-analysis of firearm accessibility and the risk of suicide and homicide victimization among household members. Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 165, no. 11, pp. 746-754.
K. A. Goss (2016). What everyone needs to know about the gun issue. Oxford University Press is an academic publisher.
N. Kristof (2013). Our gun-related blind spot. The Times of New York. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/19/opinion/our-blind-spot-on-guns.html.
Effectiveness of Gun Control Measures: According to Murray (2018), research have demonstrated that nations with tougher gun control legislation had lower rates of gun violence. This idea may be expanded upon by presenting instances and statistics from nations that have enacted tight gun control legislation. For example, after a mass shooting event in the 1990s, Australia introduced extensive gun control measures, and they have witnessed a considerable decline in gun-related mortality since then (Goss, 2016). Another nation with tight gun control laws and low rates of gun violence is Japan. Providing such experiences may help to bolster the case for gun control measures’ efficacy in decreasing gun-related fatalities and injuries.
Individual Rights and the Second Amendment: The article notes that there may be competing viewpoints on tougher gun control measures, such as arguments concerning individual rights and the Second Amendment. To address this argument further, the article might dive into the meaning of the Second Amendment and the conflict over individual rights vs public safety. For example, the essay may state that, although the Second Amendment preserves the right to carry guns, it is not an absolute right and, like other constitutional rights, can be limited in the interest of public safety. Furthermore, the essay might emphasize that the major goal of gun control legislation should be to avoid gun violence and safeguard people’ lives, which should be prioritized.
Counterargument and Rebuttal: The article briefly addresses a possible counterargument that tougher gun control laws may be ineffective since criminals may still get firearms illegally. This counterargument may be addressed further by demonstrating that, notwithstanding the likelihood of illicit gun acquisition, tougher gun control measures can still have a considerable influence on decreasing gun violence. For example, research have indicated that states with tougher gun regulations had lower rates of gun deaths in the United States, demonstrating that stricter gun control measures may be successful in decreasing gun-related fatalities (Luca et al., 2018). Furthermore, the essay might emphasize that enacting thorough and well-enforced gun control laws can make it more difficult for criminals to get weapons illegally, restricting their access to firearms.
Emotional Appeal and Personal tales: According to the article, Nicholas Kristof employs emotional appeals and personal tales to captivate the reader. To bolster this thesis, the article might include instances of Kristof’s emotive pleas and personal narratives, such as accounts of gun violence victims or personal experiences with weapons. These examples show how Kristof skillfully employs emotional appeals and personal tales to connect with the reader and elicit empathy, which may boost the persuasive power of his argument.
Keiser University Library information: The article discusses information from the Keiser University Library that supports the necessity for tougher gun control legislation. To add credibility to this argument, the essay might provide precise information about the research papers, such as authors, publication dates, and major conclusions. This may assist in establishing that the argument is founded on credible and academic sources, increasing the essay’s legitimacy and persuasiveness.
Finally, the evaluation essay may expand on the arguments expressed highlighting the necessity for enhanced gun control laws in the United States by adding additional facts and data. This might involve expanding on the efficacy of gun control measures, responding to counterarguments and rebuttals, presenting instances of emotive appeals and personal experiences, and referencing specific studies from credible sources. As a result, the essay may make a more thorough and convincing case in favor of stronger regulations.
ASSIGNMENT
Learning is an ongoing process. We learn by studying, by creating, and by reflecting on what we have done. In this final essay, you will consider what you have learned in this class, and specifically, what skills you gained in creating the Week Three essay. In 1-2 pages, answer the following questions.
Paragraph 1 – What did you do well? What strength did you recognize in your work? How can will this help you in the future? Draw on a point from your essay and feedback that you received. Refer to a portion of your reading as well.
Paragraph 2 – What area or skill do you think can be improved? How can you do better next time? Draw on a point from your essay and feedback that you received. Refer to a portion of your reading as well.
Paragraph 3 – What would you change if you had the chance to do it over? Refer to a portion of your reading.
Paragraph 4 – What challenges did you face in the research of the topc? What did you learn about the topic you selected? Were there any surprises? Did you find anything unexpected during your research?
Paragraph 5 – Share a final thought about your work. How will your experience in ENC1101 help you with writing in future classes or your career? What advice would you give to an incoming student relevant to the writing of the essay?
Requirements
Answer all questions by writing 3-5 sentences for each. The final submission should be 1-2 pages long.
Format your paper following APA guidelines, including a title page, double spacing, 1″ margins, no extra line spacing between paragraphs. Include a reference page with your textbook(s).
