Understanding Audience and Context

In the Article, “The Decline of Violence”, Michael Shermer took an informative approach summarizing his findings on the decline of violence around the world. Shermer organized his piece first by providing examples of commonly known violent events that happened worldwide, then he provided sources and examples to help build his argument, and finally he ended with motivating quotes to inspire his audience on his views. After reading the article I believe the author had inspirational intentions for its audience; however the examples he provided could have tied to his goal and to each other more directly. The author also took a very general view on the solution of violence, what proof is there that violence can decline with a simple change in one’s culture? And how can one ask another to change their culture?

In, “Silencing the Science on Gun Research”, Killerman & Rivara in their article took a persuasive tone. They started by providing popular examples of past shootings in the U.S, then pointing out how easily assessable guns are to people in different states, to showing the lack of support on gun research and then finally showing its importance to our future. I believe that the authors’ organization strategy is effective in informing the audience of effects of gun violence; however I believe that if their goal was to persuade their audience to support gun research, they could have ended a bit stronger. By stronger I mean, with action steps to help their interested audience to take initiative.

After reading the articles, I believe both built a sense of credibility for their audiences. The Decline of Violence was posted in the Scientific American, thus was intended for a larger and more general audience. The reading habits of the audience I believe would create an educational reaction to the article. On another note, the article, Silencing the Science on Gun Research was posted in the Journal of the American Medical Association, thus intended for a more narrow...