1. John McMurtry's essay begins with a personal anecdote about the results of playing sports -- especially football -- since childhood. When he can no longer ignore his physical condition, he seeks treatment and is hospitalized. How dos the anecdote lend credibility to his argument?
Although the reader has an idea of his thesis, they haven't been given the thesis yet. His overall thesis is about the problems with football, a cherished sport in the U.S. By begining with the issues this sport has given him through his life, he attracts the audience and keeps them interested. Also, with his experience of playing football from gradeschool through professional football, he receives credibility on his subject. Another way his anecdote lends credibility to his argument, is the paraenthetical he uses to add emphasis that he is a philosophy professor at the University of Guelph. Right then and there, the audience trusts his writing and what he is talking about.
6. Consider the language of football, especially the words shared by the military. What sports other than football have a militaristic side?
Eventhough McMurtry talks a little about hockey, hockey would be another sport that has a militaristic side. There are rules about hitting people, but the players just ignore those and then multilple fights occur aobut 40 times a game! Another sport would be Paintball. With the use of guns that shoot out round bulllet like objects and terminology dealing with scenarios aquired in war. Paintball is the sport most similar to war than any other sport I can think of. Examples of terminology would be people in paintball who are the "snipers, grenaders and stealth." Ways of attack are similar also, "flanking" and "taking them down." The way these "games" are played, are so similar, people might think they are in war.
7. Who is McMurtry's audience? Is it necessary for the reader to understand or care about foodtball in order to understand what McMurtry is saying about society? Explain.
His immediate audience would be the loved ones of the people who play this sport. He want his audience to be the actual players, but he knows that they are already too involved in the sport and they won't listen/read. I don't think the reader needs ot understand football to worry about the people playing the sport. They also don't need to care about football, only about the players. This is because our society loves watching people get pumbled to the ground. If his immediate audience would try to persuade their loved ones, maybe the game would be less injury prone.
8.McMurtry characterizes General George Patton and President Richard Nixon as "jock-loving...media stars" (para. 6). Think of contemporary media stars who associate themselves with football or other sports. Does the association enhance of tarnish their image?
I believe the association with football/sports enhances media stars' image because people love football and people love movie actors. Therefore, their image in enhanced by double the amount. Over all, if you are a football player who acts in "A" movies, you will be loved by all Americans. Haha.
Dear Joel,
ReplyDeletehappy valentines day. You are smexy.
Now on the english. Our answers for number 6 were very similar in how we both used paintball as an example. You used good terminology. Very good response.
Yo answer to number seven is ridicously crazy finger licking good! It made me think.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the fact that the author played football all his life lends himself credibility. I like that you included his profession and knowledge of philosophy as part of his credibility though, because I missed that.
ReplyDeleteOn the next one, I also agreed that his audience would be those who play football. However, I didn't think about it from the perspective of the loved ones of football players. I do kind of disagree about the fact that you don't need to have football knowledge to care about it because I think you'll understand the obsession people have with football more if you follow it yourself.
Our answers for number one are very similar. But your terminology is much more advance and I feel as if mine is simply a dumbed-down version on yours.
ReplyDeleteThese answers are a bit too basic and low-level. :(
ReplyDelete