Rhetorical Devices in: "Ratcheting Up the Rhetoric"In this article, columnist Charles M. Blow utilizes syntax, informal diction, and differing tones that work together to express varying opinions on police brutality, the war on law enforcement, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Blow's use of different sentence types and structures strengthen and support the claims he makes. For example, when discussing the potential of understanding the "overheated language from these officials," Blow utilizes two short, three and five word sentences to emphasize his message: "Emotions were high. The loss was still raw". Blow's syntax in this instance has a greater effect on the audience and makes readers more understanding of his claim. In this piece, Blow also uses informal diction to further support his argument that the "war on police" rhetoric is not supported by evidence, describing the situation as "dangerous and reckless". Moreover, Blow employs words such as "simply" when describing the harmless act of pumping gas which ultimately led to a man getting murdered. Throughout the article's entirety, several tonal shifts were present. The article moves from a sympathetic and disappointing tone to a shameful and critical one. At the end of the article, Blow states, "The Black Lives Matter movement convicts this country of its crimes". An ironic tone is present in this instance as well because of the discussion of police brutality earlier in the article. Blow purposefully chose the words "convict" and "crimes" to tie his argument together.
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