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Ellen DeCastro
Yeaton
Pre-AP English 10H 6
8 February 2018
Citation
Nichols, John. “Congress Must End US Military Support for the Horrific Saudi Bombing of
Yemen.” The Nation, 28 Sept. 2017, www.thenation.com/article/congress-must-end-us-
military-support-for-the-horrific-saudi-bombing-of-yemen/.
Tone: In the beginning of the article, John Nichols’ tone can be interpreted as depairing. The
author uses words/phrases like: “poorest,” “most neglected,” and “largest humanitarian crises”
which convey that Yemen is at the very bottom of the scale with no anticipated improvement
approaching. The tone then switches to impartial, declarative in the middle where Nichols uses
neutral vocabulary as well as only stating changes over time and facts.
Context: Nichols includes a description of Yemen’s current state as well the most basic
information of the war, but in order for the reader to better understand the article he/she would
have to know that there ongoing internal conflict in Yemen and understand the complexity of the
United States’ role in the war.
Appeals: The author appeals to logic with statistics such as: “20.7 million people” and “73
percent” which he used in his description of Yemen’s population. He also appeals to pathos with
a question to keep them focused on the content as well as make a personal connection to the
reader and get him/her to reflect. Still, the main appeal by Nichols is to ethos when he cites many
well-known, powerful, tenable people/organizations as sources which boosts his credibility.
Strategies and Devices: A main strategy John Nichols uses is short, simple sentences which is
syntax. This sentence style is declarative and doesn’t offer room for the reader to be confused
and interpret the statement as anything other than what the author intended for it to mean.
DeCastro 2
Organization: The article follows a topical pattern where the claim is the main group followed
by multiple pieces of evidence.
Diction/Word Choice: The article is easy to understand by its readers with simple/direct
vocabulary which follows the standard level of diction. This level of diction is written with a
professional tone and is intended for an audience who has average education, careful not to use
highly specialized words.