The Colonel Essay

Words: 1301
Pages: 6
Open Document
In the essay, The Colonel, Michael Hogan illustrates the importance of the influential sport of tennis. Hogan writes about how tennis changed his life from an early age. When he was younger he saw tennis as a rich mans sport in which he had no interest. One of his much-respected neighbors, the colonel, approached Hogan’s father with the idea that his son might like to learn how to play tennis. After pondering the thought with his father, Hogan decided to take the offer. The Colonel became his mentor as they spent tireless days perfecting his swing, improving his serve, and practicing against each other. His main competitor though was a boy named Tommy Gallagher. Often, the two boys would compete with the victor being Gallagher. Yet, Hogan …show more content…
Throughout the essay, Hogan builds his ethos through his claims and life experiences. Consistently, his claims reflect his credibility while also effortlessly transitioning between personal and universal assertions. For instance, in trying to explain the difference between a “show player” and a “club player,” he compares the way he plays versus the way that he noticed that Gallagher played. He has the authority to make claims about his own style of playing as well as his observances about Tommy’s style and therefore supports his claim about the differences between the two. In addition, Hogan relays his thesis in a way that presents itself as a universal claim. As previously stated, he includes his thesis towards the end of the essay. By doing so, he is able to build his credibility throughout the essay with his personal examples so that by the conclusion, he is able to make such a statement.
In terms of pathos, Hogan is able to jump right in. He uses examples, such as that on page 109 where he states:
"I would play through days of political unrest and assassination in my twenties, through the bitter, rancorous divorce in my thirties, through the crushing death of a beloved child in my forties, then through uncertain days of financial disasters and over seas currency devaluation in my fifties." (Hogan, 109)
Here he
Show More

Related Documents: The Colonel Essay

The Colonel By John Cheever

In Pirandello’s “War”, the Italian writer explores the reality of war by stripping away the nationalism that commonly serves as justification for this painful endeavor. Similarly, in “The Colonel,” John Cheever uses a colonel to shine light on the dark truths of war in order to illustrate the realities of war and not embrace the same lies. Yet, what both writers convey to the reader is when one speaks the truth in a setting whereby truth is concealed via platitudes, one becomes a dangerous anomaly…

Words 772 - Pages 4

Colonel Cathcart Analysis

Colonel Cathcart, though in the military, shares many traits with any executive in the business world. As Miller puts it, “Cathcart’s values are those of many clean-cut, well-dressed commuters who funnel in and out of our cities and manage America’s industries” (Miller 388-389). His only apparent reason to exist is to be better than his peers. “He could measure his own progress only in relationship to others, and his idea of excellence was to do something at least as well as all the men his own age…

Words 1406 - Pages 6

Colonel Zarpodeon Eulogy

Topic: The life of Colonel Tungsteena Zarpodoen Type of Presentation: Commemorative Eulogy General Purpose: The eulogy of Colonel Tungsteena Zarpodoen Specific Purpose: Why Zarpodoen was the best commander on the force Introduction: Attention Getter: It was a Tuesday, April of 2143. My division and I were in the Pandora orbit. Our mission was to take control of the Helios station orbiting the planet. Colonel Zarpodeon knew exactly how to take over the station. She had the perfect idea on where…

Words 872 - Pages 4

Analysis Of 'The Colonel' By Carolyn Forche

way, and these outcomes can come from different perspectives,point view and here’s one of them . In “ The Colonel “, by Carolyn Forche uses simple diction , selection of details , and first person to show that during the wat human rights are violated, not respected , and human behavior changes from being civilized to ruthless clareless, monsters. Forche uses simple diction in “ The Colonel : lowering the readers into a sense of safety to a surprising…

Words 546 - Pages 3

Biography Of Colonel Wendell Porth

Zach Martin-Funk Phillip Presswood 20 February 2015 Eng. 104 Wendell Allen Porth July 7, 1953, Colonel Wendell Porth was born…a man who lived a life prioritizing but 3 things: his country, his family, and his faith. Born in Davenport, Iowa, he doesn’t have much of a background from there other than it being his “birth-town” due to the simple fact that his father’s career involved him having to be transferred to different regions throughout the United States. It was a job with the government and his…

Words 524 - Pages 3

Colonel Lanser's The Moon Is Down

this idea of resistance. In this novel, the occupier is a battalion, headed by Colonel Lanser, expecting cooperation with the occupied, the citizens of the town. Similar to the U.S. occupation in Afghanistan, Colonel Lanser causes physical and mental problems for his battalion because he incorrectly established and administered an oppressive authority over the town. One of the first and foremost issues that the colonel ignores…

Words 1754 - Pages 8

Colonel Sherburn In Huck Finn

“sivilized” society, including Colonel Sherburn. Colonel Sherburn is a store owner who shoots a local drunk, Boggs, for threatening to kill him and continues to insult and taunt Sherburn until he appears on the street. After Sherburn kills Boggs, a mob of townspeople decides to confront the wealthy Colonel Sherburn, without understanding the entire story; the mob is created by one voice and one person’s opinion. In Chapter 22, the mob makes an appearance at Colonel Sherburn’s home, expecting to lynch…

Words 460 - Pages 2

Colonel Sanders Research Paper

Colonel Sanders who’s now famous did not have a beautiful start to life. Born as Harland Sanders from Indiana. At the age of six his father died leaving his mother to raise three kids alone. Harland learned how to cook by helping his mother out with cooking for the family. Around the age of 12 his mother remarried. His stepfather was abusive to him and his siblings. Harland to move out at a young age and started life as a farmhand in Greenwood, Indiana only completing the seventh grade. Sanders…

Words 593 - Pages 3

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton's Rangers

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton was born on November 1740 in West Boxford, Massachusetts. Knowlton enlisted in the Connecticut provincial regiment at the age of 17. He was a part of the French – Indian War, serving until the rank of Second Lieutenant. (Connecticut, 2000) Captain Knowlton was able to distinguish himself during the Battle of Bunker Hill, 17 June 1775. He was able to form and hold the rear guard allowing for a successful retreat. Knowlton’s actions also included a raid into Charlestown…

Words 667 - Pages 3

Summary Of The Poem 'The Colonel' By Carolyn Forche

Literary Analysis of “The Colonel” Carolyn Forche Mr. Spong April 3, 2018 Room 142 In the late 1970’s the Salvadorian regime was a totalitarian government that raped, murdered, and brainwashed their citizens. Carolyn Forche was invited to visit El Salvador and saw something that she had never wanted to witness. “The Colonel” was a first hand poem about Carolyn Forche’s Experiences in El Salvador and the awful events she witnessed. She had used these experiences not to haunt her…

Words 1388 - Pages 6