Running Header: RHETORIC ANALYSIS: GET A LITTLE LESS TOUGH ON CRIME

Rhetoric Analysis: Get a Little Less Tough on Crime

Sergio Olivas
The University of Texas at El Paso

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Rhetoric Analysis: Get a Little Less Tough on Crime

An article by US News and World Report, Get a Little Less Tough on Crime, makes an
argument to reform the mandatory sentencing policy placed towards drug-offenders. The article
is written by the chairman and editor-in-chief of U.S. News & World Report, Mortimer
Zuckerman, who is also the publisher of the New York Daily News. The article uses the basic
techniques: ethos by recognizing that the audience has many opinions, pathos by making the
issue personal through its word choices, and logos by providing ideas and alternative solutions to
the current issue. These techniques of argument help make a well-sound article against
mandatory sentences.
To begin with ethos, Zuckerman has built a credible reputation in highly ranked,
prestigious newspapers because he has an understanding of the variety of his readers as well as
their opinions, establishing him as a considerate and accountable writer. He is responsive to his
audiences through different methods. For example, Zuckerman recognizes the fact that there are
two sides to every side. He does this through clarification: his argument is centralized to the idea
of reforming the prison sentencing process, but he reiterates that he is not promoting the onesided idea that everyone convicted of a crime is innocent (Zuckerman, 2014). Through this, the
audience can relate to an article design for a large and diverse audience. To further his credibility,
he uses statistics from other credible sources ConservativeHQ.com, The Economist, The Wall
Street Journal, and the Pew Research Center to help him explain the elements of the current
issue (Zuckerman, 2014). By referencing other sources, the audience can note that the author is
not fabricating an issue for an ulterior agenda. Another attribute that adds to Zuckermans
credibility is the fact that he understands that many of his readers are not well informed about the
concept of mandatory sentences. Since he recognizes that many individuals do not know about

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the mandatory sentencing policies because they are aimed towards drug-offenders and not
everyone else, he provides background history and necessary context in order for non-narcoticconsuming readers to have a general understanding of the problems caused by mandatory
sentencing policies. This properly allows Zuckerman to elaborate his sponsorship of reform. For
example, he points out in the article: Prison systems cost the states more than $50 billion a year
up from about $9 billion in 1985 (Zuckerman, 2014). From this information, he can properly
interject evidence and claims that justify his positions: While we have to be tough on crime, we
also have to be just as tough on criminal justice spending, reserving expensive prison beds for
career criminals and violent felons, with the aim of getting the most public safety from more
efficient expenditure of taxpayer dollars (Zuckerman, 2014). The readers, in turn, are presented
a smooth development of information, allowing them to follow Zuckermans argument. Although
Zuckerman recognizes that he has a large array of readers as he tries to create a credible
argument, Zuckerman also has a selection of word choices that attempts to make his argument
appealing to everyone.
The article also demonstrates the usage of pathos as Zuckermans selection of
emotionally provoking diction and phrasing allows readers to understand the magnitude of the
situation, the issues the current policy has created, and the need to reform prison sentences,. For
readers to comprehend the seriousness of the issue of mandatory sentences, Zuckerman uses the
phrases and words desperate situation we created, tipping point, and national catastrophe
(Zuckerman, 2014). These words allow the author to demonstrate an idea to the readers that the
issue at hand should not be taken trivially. To highlight the arising problems from the current
sentencing policy, the expressions used are distorted system of sentencing, panic, wrecking
lives, separated families, unthinkingly tough without consideration of what works,

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(Zuckerman, 2014). These words revolve around the central idea that due to the ignorance,
assumption, and lack of thought when developing the current sentencing process, the policy has
created more harmful results than societal benefits. To show the current need of prison
sentencing reform, the words and phrases chosen are we need improved outcome suitable
sentence, public safety, treat people, and initiatives to reform the system (Zuckerman,
2014). The authors overall argument is to have prison sentencing reform, and by tapping the
issue into the reader as a societal issue through its emotionally driven words, he personalizes the
call to action. As pathos pertains to the reader, it accomplishes a major goal: it convinces the
reader that the issue of mandatory sentences is a serious one. Readers can understand its
enormity, its fallacies, and the need to fix it. Although these words attract the reader to a personal
level in pathos, the question as to how to fix the issue still remains. This is where the author
provides situational alternatives in order to solve the current crisis.
Zuckerman demonstrates the usage of logos as he elaborates on possible solutions to
mandatory sentences by noting the direction of two states in particular. For example, the state of
Texas rejected a proposal to build more prisons; instead, the state shifting towards a policy of
probation rather than incarceration (Zuckerman, 2014). This policy conversion led to the state to
experience a savings of $2 billion, a 20 percent decrease in the incarceration rate, an all-time low
crime rate, and a precedent for other states to follow as they have invested in social workers and
technology (Zuckerman, 2014). Zuckerman explains, Diverting drug users to treatment allows a
focus on the problems that provoke their behavior rather than simply punishment (Zuckerman,
2014). This has an impact on the readers as they are presented the validity of the results of a
rational position through the usage of empirical data. Looking into another state that has made
progress with alternative solution than mandatory sentences, Zuckerman looks into New York

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and the states education program in prisons. It has been reported that recidivism the term used
for reoffending criminals has decreased dramatically from 40 percent to 4 percent since the
programs inception (Zuckerman, 2014). By providing college to inmates during their sentences
or other community-based programs, the author explains, [programs] improve the odds that a
released felon will have options besides unemployment, homelessness or a return to crime
(Zuckerman, 2014). Again demonstrating a use of logos, the author presents to the reader a
treatment-based alternative that has better results than an incarceration-based solution. By the
using the states of Texas and New York as example of institutions thinking logically outside the
box, the audience knows that there is more than one way of reducing the usage of drugs in
populations besides the norm of mandatory sentences.
Get a Little Less Tough on Crime by Mortimer B. Zuckerman argues that the current
system of sentencing needs to be reformed. This is a reliable source because of the authors
proper use of ethos, pathos, and logos. First, Zuckerman already has a strong credibility going
into the article as he is associated with respected publications, and he maintains that credibility as
he uses techniques to engage the reader to consider his argument. Secondly, Zuckerman
personalizes the issue using strong, passionate statements and terms to demonstrate the need to
reform prison sentencing policies. Finally, Zuckerman provides alternative solutions to reduce
drug-usage based on reasonable approaches and their results, replacing the current system. Any
reader can use this article as a viable source for the debate of prison sentencing reform as
Zuckerman sufficiently and adequately supports his argument.

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Bibliography
Zuckerman, M. (2014, May 9). Get a Little Less Tough on Crime. Retrieved September 28,
2015, from http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2014/05/09/its-time-for-prisonreform-and-an-end-to-mandatory-minimum-sentences