The article “Violent Media is Good for Children” by Gerad Jones argues that violent media can have positive effects on children. Violent media, just as the title already states, can be good for children. Jones addresses his article to an audience of parents, educators, or other adults who generally think that violent media is harmful and has negative effects on children. Throughout the article, Jones discusses the success stories of children he has personally worked with. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayViolent media is often considered harmful to children. Gerad Jones, however, an acclaimed comic book author, begs to differ. Jones' use of emotional persuasion, diction, and credibility building allows him to successfully convince those who believe violent media is harmful to children that violent media actually has positive effects on children. Jones manages to use diction to create emotional appeal, which ultimately benefits his argument that violent media is good for children. Jones begins his article with a story about his most formative years as a boy. Jones explains how his parents believed that violent mediums were harmful to children, just like members of his audience. The narrative goes on to explain that the lack of violent mediums in Jones' life has caused him to hide his "deepest fears and desires under a good-guy persona" (par. 1) because his parents "built a wall between [him ] and the cruelest elements of American pop culture” (par. 1). The beginning of Jones's narrative uses a strong use of pathos to connect emotionally with his audience he hid his true feelings under “a nice guy persona.” It is a common belief that young children should not hide their feelings, but instead it is healthier to show how it feels. Therefore, read that Jones hid his true feelings implies that as a 13-year-old boy, Jones was not in a healthy and happy state of mind, thus creating a feeling of sadness. The use of the word “wall” between Jones and the violent media is also disturbing because of the images and connotations that the word “wall” evokes. A wall implies isolation and imprisonment. The audience will see the word “wall” as Jones confined against his own good, thus once again creating a sense of sadness and pity for the teenager Gerad Jones. This emotional appeal subsequently forces the public to rethink whether isolating a child from violent media is beneficial. In order for the audience to be receptive to Jones' argument, Jones establishes his credibility by referencing appropriate sources and telling his personal success stories. Jones cites a doctor of psychology, Melanie Moore, to support his claim that violent media is beneficial to children. Moore explains that feelings such as “fear, greed, lust for power, anger” (para. 7) are normal human aspects and can be “experienced vicariously through the stories of others” (para. 7) through violent media. Moore continues to argue that “children need violent entertainment to explore the inescapable feelings they have been taught to deny” which ultimately results in a “more resilient self” (para. 7). Referring to a doctor of psychology creates credibility for Jones' argument because it is generally accepted that a doctor of psychology has extensive knowledge and understanding of human emotions and things that can influence human emotions. The statements of.
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