Outline

Title: A Culture of Silence

Thesis: Kahn structures his argument around the life of John Dowry, taking us on a journey through Dowry’s experiences as well as his own evidence and reasoning. This structure is effective because it creates a beginning and end that strongly appeals to pathos and breaks up the facts and evidence so that the reader is not overwhelmed. It allows Kahn’s claim to emerge subtlety and gives the impression that it was well thought-out and fair. Kahn also presents a solution to the problem and that gives his argument closure.

I.                   Using the story of John Dowry implements very strong pathos into the argument.

A.    Starting off his writing with Dowry getting shot is a powerful way to make a statement. Kahn was bringing his readers right into the heart of the problem and enticing them to want to know why this happened.

1.      Giving background on Dowry and explaining how he changed as a person makes the reader feel like they know him personally and forms a connection. The reader then feels happy for Dowry when he succeeds and shocked/saddened when he is shot.

2.      Before giving the reader any background, he says “in the eyes of many people in the blocks around Bartlett, John Dowry had gotten what was coming for him” which gives the audience an eerie feeling.

B.     After the audience has come to know and support Dowry and his participation as a witness, Kahn makes the strategic decision to close the argument with the tragic death of Dowry.

1.      Kahn describes the scene in ways that specifically target pathos. He mentions that it is Thanksgiving and that Dowry is with his family which causes the reader to think about their family and the emotions that they feel on that holiday. Thanksgiving is usually thought of with positive feelings which are why when Dowry is killed the reader feels sorrow and it leaves a lasting impression of anger towards the lack of protection witnesses have.

2.      The way Kahn relates his closing back to the beginning brings his entire argument full circle and after knowing more about the justice system and witness protection system the audience looks at Dowry’s story with a new perspective and stronger feelings.

II.                Kahn provides his evidence and reasoning in a variety of ways which enhances his ethos and logos

A.    He provides facts from prosecutors and policemen

1.       Facts about crime and murder rates

2.      Gives their opinions on why witnesses won’t come forward and how it affects the judicial process

B.     Kahn shares similar murder cases to Dowry’s

1.      Shows that this problem with witnesses is much too common

2.      Helps explain why so many witnesses do not come forward

C.     Shares stories and opinions from average citizens

1.      Shows how culture has evolved over time

2.      Gives the reader a sense of how afraid people really are

III.             Kahn’s presentation of a solution strengthens his argument

A.    He comments on how new laws have not worked in the past

1.      Talks about the new law that says witness intimidation is punishable by at least 5 years in prison and allows prior statements to be used even if the witness is not present

2.      Mentions that the new law excludes child-abuse and domestic-violence cases which are big problems

3.      Gives the opinions of Jessamy that matches his own

B.     Putting more money into the witness protection programs will not work either

1.      “might chip away at the edges of the problem” meaning they make a very small impact and something else needs to be done

2.      Kahn presents his solution that culture needs to change for anything else to work. He says that inner-city neighborhoods need to come together and make a change so that their loved ones will stop dying. Society needs to see that intimidation of witnesses is morally wrong and that killing “snitchers” is nothing to be proud of.

3.      Kahn’s solution is powerful because it puts a lot of responsibility on society and has us blame ourselves rather than institutions or the judicial process.

IV.             Conclusion: Kahn does not specify ways to get society to change

1.      He leaves it up to the reader, gets his audience thinking

2.      Does a great job connecting with the reader on an emotional and intellectual level

3.      Appeals to both people who live in cities like Baltimore that have experienced these things, as well as people who had never known this happened before.

4.      Kahn informs his readers while swaying them to his side