Columbine Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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Psychopath
April 20,1999, a horrific tragedy at Columbine High School shocked our society and ten years later journalist Dave Cullen published Columbine. Targeting those in our society who still had questions, Cullen uncovers the truth behind many myths and misconceptions surrounding Columbine; specifically what motivated one of the shooters, Eric Harris. Cullen achieves his purpose while building his credibility with a thorough tone, clear organization, and the method of presenting his information.
Cullen begins by addressing Eric’s motives by examining who Eris was. He repeatedly states the word “normal” to punctuate that Eric’s motives were anything but typical. Cullen touches on how the public and the media tried to explain Eric’s “motives through a “normal” lens”(239). He then went on to add, “Eric was neither normal nor insane”(239). Repeatedly using the word “normal” like a whole other category helps readers disassociate psychopathy from “normal” people. Cullen emphasizes the difference to aid the readers in their …show more content…
Cullen uses logos by including the research of an expert on psychopaths. Cullen mentions that expert, Dr. Robert Hare, “recognized the anatomical difference” of a psychopath’s brain when compared to the brain scan of a “normal” person. Cullen also referenced Dr.Hare’s checklist of characteristics of psychopathy stating that his work was “the basis for virtually all contemporary research”(241). Cullen used these accepted facts about psychopathy to further the audience’s understanding of Eric’s diagnosis. His use of logos not only provides logical support for his writing, but it also builds on his ethos, exemplifying the extent of his research. Illustrating how much work and research was put into his writing gives rise to a thorough tone throughout the
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