Sample Essay On Rhetorical Analysis Of Nothing But Nets

Amongst the innumerable columns and works written and published by the renowned National sportswriter Rick Reilly, “Nothing but Nets” is an unconventional article written by this veteran sportswriter that was first published in Sports Illustrated in 2006. In this article, Reilly throws light upon the severity of the disease malaria and the number of children in Africa who are victims to this deadly disease. The usage of mosquito nets acts as a source of prevention of this disease. Reilly targets an intended audience who are passionate about sports in specific but his article also appeals to any person who wants to donate money for a good cause. In this article, Reilly aims at informing the audience about the grievousness inflicted upon the African children by malaria and tries to persuade the audience by stating that, an act of donating something as low as $20 per head on mosquito nets can tremendously improve the situation and save thousands of lives.
Throughout the article, Reilly has effectively used all the three rhetorical appeals to persuade the audience in accomplishing the task of donating money. To a reader, the credibility of the author as well as his work is established right from the beginning. With reference to the credibility of the author, everyone is aware that Rick Reilly is a famous Sportswriter and has been voted National Sportswriter of the Year 8 times. His columns in Sports Illustrated, numerous books written and published by him and several laurels received by him definitely add up to his credibility. Arriving at the ethos of the text, Reilly has cited several famous organizations and renowned people that deem the text reliable. The usage of World Health Organization appeals to the readers as it is a well renowned worldwide organization. Reilly quotes that “Bill and Melinda Gates have just about finished singlehandedly covering every bed in Zambia” and ‘Every cent will go to nets,’ says Andrea Gay, the U.N. Foundation’s Director of Children’s Health” (474). Citing of such distinguished people in the article further enhances the stance of it. Reilly also writes, “Please go to a special site we’ve set up” (473). The usage of the pronoun “we” states that there are more than just the author working for the cause and this confirms the legitimacy of the operation. With more people involved in the project of donating money to Africa for mosquito nets, the dependability on the work increases. Furthermore, the mention of the website “UNFoundation.org/malaria” as well as the contact number “202-887-9040” (473) makes his appeals about the cause legitimate.
The rhetorical appeal pathos has been extensively used by Reilly. It can be observed that he maneuvers through different emotions of the readers to establish his perspective and influence them to contribute for the noble cause. The article, being written about the death of thousands of children in Africa due to malaria, itself causes turmoil in the minds and hearts of the readers. He says “Three thousand kids! That’s 9/11 everyday!”(473).Every person has a tragic connection towards the devastating 9/11 incident and the usage of this mishap as a daily occurrence in Africa casts a gloom on all the readers and draws their sympathy. In another context, he brings out a hypothetical situation and says “Let’s say your little Justin’s Kickin’ Kangaroos have a big youth soccer tournament on Sunday. There are 15 kids on the team, 10 teams in the tourney. And there are 20 of these tournaments going on all over the town. Suddenly, every one of these kids gets chills or fever, then starts throwing up and then gets short of breath. And in seven to 10 days, they’re all dead of malaria.”(473). The mention of the youth soccer team and the unfortunate hypothetical situation brings about fear in the mind and heart of every parent and urges him/her to donate money to save the lives of the victimized children in Africa. His final emotional anecdote concerning his visit to Tanzania shows how strongly he addresses pathos in his article. He narrates the story where, the children he played with in Tanzania did not have access to useful sporting equipment. “A taped-up wad of newspaper was the ball and two rocks were the goal,” (474) he says. Reilly, after his return to America, sent across a few balls and nets to the children in Tanzania. He expresses his regret and anger on himself by saying that he had sent the wrong nets. “I kick myself now for that. How many of those kids are dead because we sent the wrong nets?” (474).This shows the extent of his agony towards the situation. It is also evident that Reilly uses humor as an emotion to create pathos in the article. His mention of Angelina Jolie in fishnets and of ace tennis player Sharapova - “Maria Sharapova, you don’t think this applies to you just because you’re Russian? Nyet!” (474) convinces the audience to donate for the cause irrespective of their differences. Reilly writes, “Have you ever had a net in the drive way, the front lawn or on your head at McDonald’s, send twenty dollars” and “You might have just saved a kid’s life. Or would you rather buy the new Beastie Boys CD?”(474).These words aim at motivating his audience in a light hearted way to donate money to make nets. They also emphasize on the areas where we spend money lavishly on ourselves while there are children whose life and death depends upon the few dollars we spend on daily luxuries.
Reilly’s use of facts and logic intrigues the audience. His quote on the number of children dying every day in Africa as 3000 and his mention of the World Health Organization assures the audience that the statistics ought to be right because of the credibility of the esteemed World Health Organization. He says, “According to the World Health Organization, transmission of the disease would be reduced by 60% with the use of mosquito nets and prompt treatment for the infected” (473). This statistically accurate and factual statement affirms the belief of the audience and appeals to them about the cause. “We gotta get these nets. They’re coated with an insecticide” (473). The nets being with coated with insecticide asserts that they would undoubtedly prevent malaria.
Reilly’s article effectively imparts facts about malaria and its lethality. The usage of pathos to draw the attention of the readers about the severity of the situation and sympathize with the victims is commendable. The usage of ethos to inform the readers about the notable works of reputed people and organizations further influences them into donating money for the cause of making nets. Finally, the usage of logos to statistically and logically educate the readers about the importance of donating money to give a hope of life to the children in Africa is remarkable. Thus, we can conclusively remark that Reilly’s clever usage of the word ‘nets’ in various contexts in the article and his simple yet effective means of communicating his concerns, persuades the readers that donating money for nets to protect the children in Africa can be a life changing act.