Effects of Violence

Effects of Violence

        Children viewing comics with super powered heroes attacking villains and ultimately killing “the bad guys”…women on the combat line shooting machine guns for the purpose of killing the enemy…are these violent images appropriate for children and women?  Although these topics create controversial and conflicting opinions, this paper will address the literary components of how these two essays, “Military Woman in Combat: Why Making It Official Matters” by Jena McGregor and “Violent Media Is Good for Kids” by Gerard Jones, convey character, logic, and rebuttal.  Jones develops the element of persuasion more thoroughly by using personal experiences and research studies to effectively convince the reader to agree with his viewpoint.  On the other hand, McGregor simply reports facts and opinions related to women in combat.

Character is determined in essays by the tone, how the writer comes across, and the background information the writer includes in his piece of literature. In the essay “Violent Media Is Good for Kids,” Jones includes an ample amount of details regarding his childhood.  He was raised by “English-teacher parents” who believed violence was wrong, he experienced feelings of loneliness and fear as a child, he attended “a small, experimental school,” which influenced his career choice in adulthood. The essay is written in first person promoting a personal and informal tone throughout the paper.  As the author recounts his fears as well as his son’s insecurities to the challenges encountered in childhood, the reader quickly senses the passion in Jones’s writing. In Jena McGregor’s essay, “Military Woman in Combat: Why Making It Official Matters,” the tone seems much more formal with data presented in facts and quotes, resembling a documentary.  There are no personal experiences or stories about the author which leaves the reader unattached to the writing and no emotional connection to the writer’s viewpoint.

The element of logic is defined as supporting materials that appeal to the reader’s method or thinking.  Jones recounts interviews with former patients to further support his point.  He explains how by listening to violent music became an outlet for a young girl.  In place of using drugs, she is able to control and master her emotional rage.  McGregor defines the restriction of promoting women to higher ranking officer positions to the barriers placed on women fighting in combat; however, she neglects to incorporate interviews, stories, or personal accounts of specific women in this situation.