Running head: INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER 1

Intoxication Manslaughter:
Americas number one violent crime
Alondra Torres
ENGL 1302.P11 Composition II-Rhetoric
Instructor Moyle
October 24, 2012
INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER 2
Intoxication Manslaughter: Americas number one violent crime
People who drink are often portrayed as irresponsible degenerates who take their lives
and other peoples lives in their own hands by driving drunk when the behavior could be avoided
entirely. Driving drunk has taken the lives of millions of people around the world since driving
began. It is one of the most frowned upon crime, and the state of Texas happens to be the third
highest state for as having the highest percentage of DUI related deaths in 2010. In this essay, I
will analyze an ad created by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) based on its use of
pathos, ethos, and logos.
First, I will analyze the advertisement in based on pathos. Lunsford, Ruszkiewicz, and
Walters (2010) define pathos as powerful tools for influencing what people think and believe
(p. 38). My thoughts at the very first glance I took at the ad were completely different after really
looking at it and reading through what it said. Prior to taking my time to actually read the ad, I
thought that the old man had joined MADD possibly because his wife or family member had
been killed by a drunk driver. I was already feeling sorry for the old man. Well, that changed
after I actually read it. I didnt feel sorry for that man; I didnt feel anything for that man. Im
sure the ad wasnt made to have people feel sorry for the man, David Bower. On the contrary, it
was most likely made to let the public know that it takes only one ignorant decision to ruin not
only yours, but someone elses life as well. Some emotions that the public might feel when they
read this ad could be anger because they or someone they knew have been victims of drunk
drivers, or sadness because they lost someone in a drunk driving accident, or guilt because they
may have driven drunk one time or another and that could have been them saying that same
story. I believe that this ad uses pathos in many great ways.
INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER 3
Next, I will analyze the advertisement by using ethos. Lunsford et al. (2010) define ethos
as a self-image a writer creates to define a relationship with readers (p. 1042). The ad uses
ethos in the following ways: one, by claiming authority based on professional experience
because MADD is an actual organization recognized by many people all over the United States;
two, by attempting to highlight at least two shared values by including family and loved ones in
their ad as Bower states and killed a part of myself and my own family in the process; three, by
honestly acknowledging the fact that he did wrong by not thinking about the consequences of
having several drinks and driving by stating that committing the number one violent crime in
America was the furthest thing from [his] mind; and four, by clarifying that he joined MADD
because he wanted to help keep others from having to feel [the pain] too and to help keep
others from having to go through the same experience he went through. I believe the ad uses
ethos effectively because I know that the founders of MADD had to have gone through losing
someone close to them, so I respect the fact that they have endured so much. Also, because the
man in the ad had personal experience with drunk driving as well, which goes to show that it
doesnt matter who you are, whether a husband, or a college professor, or anyone else, all it takes
is an irrational decision that can make you a convicted murderer because you chose to drive
drunk.
Finally, I will analyze the advertisement based on logos. According to Lunsford et al.
(2010) logos involves arguments based on facts, evidence, and reason (p. 69), one method
being syllogistically logic, a vehicle of deductive reasoning, wherein to be valid . . ., the
conclusion follows logically- and technically- from the premises lead up to it (p. 84). In the
MADD ad, the major premise seems to be that helping people is good, the minor premise
implying that MADD helps people, and the conclusion being that MADD must therefore be
INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER 4
good. Another syllogism can be made from the ad as well. The major premise would be that
driving drunk kills innocent people, the minor premise would be that David Bower drove drunk,
and the conclusion being that David Bower killed an innocent person. Another way the ad uses
logos is by testimony because the entire ad is actually about David Bower telling his story about
the reason he joined MADD. I think the ad uses logos effectively because since it is based on
something that really happened, it makes you think twice about your actions.
Anyone who sees this ad can learn that they are responsible for their own actions, and
that it is never a good idea to drink and drive because even though you might think youre okay
to drive, you never know what might happen, and you may end up having to tell the same story
David Bower had to tell. I believe that this ad succeeded because it will teach them a lesson
about it not mattering who you are, if you make a wrong decision while drinking alcohol, it may
cost you someones life.



INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER 5
References
Lunsford, A.A., Ruszkiewicz, J.J., & Walters, K. (2010). Everythings an argument with
readings (5
th
ed.) Boston, MA: Bedford/ St. Martins.
MADD (advertisement). (2012). FVM Strategic Communications. Retrieved October 20, 2012,
from http://www.thinkfvm.com/portfolio/case-study/madd/


Meta-line Essay
In the essay above, I believe I used pathos effectively because I could have made people
realize that others were doing wrong by drinking and driving, so it may have made them feel
guilty. I also believe I established my writerly character by presenting documented evidence
from the ad, and by custom fitting my language to the audience. Lastly, I used logos by in a way
making my essay like an enthymeme, the claim being that being responsible for your own
actions is good, and the reason is because you can save lives by being responsible.