After Virginia Tech

Callie Olive
English 101, section 056
13 September 2007
Short Writing Assignment #5

“Virginia Tech and Our Impoverished Language for Evil” by Gregg Easterbrook is an example of a text written to persuade and inform. Easterbrook looks to sway the reader towards a belief that the use of politically correct terms in the media is making light of the seriousness of situations. Easterbrook also looks to inform the reader of the effect words used in the media has on the way the American public views a situation. An example he gives is the use of the word “shooter” and “gunman” regarding the Virginia Tech shooting, as opposed to the harsher terms of “killer” and “murderer.” This particular article is geared for an audience of young adults and older. Easterbrook’s writing would most certainly not be appropriate for children. The reference to Virginia Tech and Cho Seung-Hui as well the news anchors mentioned at the beginning of the article would be over the heads of young children.
The author is most likely a white male that seems in favor of labeling a person for what they really are. He is insulted by the fact that Cho has been labeled a shooter and a mentally disturbed individual. He believes Cho should be branded for what he really is; a murderer and a madman. Easterbrook is constrained by an obvious dislike for Cho Seung-Hui. Easterbrook, unlike many others, doesn’t show any signs of sympathy for Cho’s mental state. He also is constrained by his belief that dispassionate terms should not be used unless in police investigations or legal proceedings. Some constraints that a reader would have regarding this article is perhaps an interest in psychology, therefore justifying Cho’s actions and properly labeling him as a mentally disturbed person.
Exigence in this article is the urgent need for proper labeling in the media. Easterbrook believes there is a need to call a person what they really are, and to not try to justify malicious acts of terror. I personally share a lot of common ground with Easterbrook. He makes an excellent point about how the media has been portraying such a sick individual as Cho. I do find this article very convincing. Easterbrook makes a lot of good points regarding his opinions about the situation. One of the examples mentioned is Cho turning the gun on himself to escape punishment, therefore removing all doubt that he was not insane. Easterbrook’s article was very well written and researched. Even if a person doesn’t agree with his statements, he or she must at least take into consideration the point Easterbrook is trying to make.