Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Francis Broadhurst

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Dissecting an Argument

        Authors demonstrate their arguments in many ways. Writers differ in their organization, mode of discourse, and style in making their arguments. An example is of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Francis Broadhurst’s essays on the Cape Wind project. The respective essays are of the same topics but with opposing views. Both opinions are neither right nor wrong, it depends on how well the writer supports his case. Kennedy uses descriptions and examples to draw in the reader, while Broadhurst uses statistical evidence and studies to illustrate his point. Facts and research are powerful when speaking to scientists and politicians. But to the average reader and tourists that visit or live in the Nantucket Sound area, the pathos reasoning is far more relatable and hits close to home thus, it is more appealing. Ultimately, Kennedy’s “An Ill Wind off Cape Cod” makes a stronger and more effective argument because he can manipulate his readers’ prospective and outlook on the topic of the Cape Wind project through the organization of the essay, the mode of discourse, and the style in which the essay is written in.

         Kennedy first begins to create an image of the effects of turbines in Nantucket sound by organizing his essay in a cause and effect style. Kennedy explains the Cape Wind project to his audience, “Cape Wind’s proposal involves construction of 130 giant turbines whose windmill arms will reach 417 feet above the water and be visible for up to 26 miles.” This is the cause. The effect is that the turbines will need flashing lights to warn the airplanes and boats that they are in the path of a turbine. And as Kennedy puts it, “Hundreds of flashing lights…from the turbines will steal the stars and nighttime views.” The turbines will wreck the views of Nantucket Sound, seeing that they will be inescapable; able to be seen and heard from miles away. Another effect the turbines will have is the economy. First of all, the area will lose many of its small businesses like hotels, motels, whale watching tours, and many more due to the decline in tourism that the wind turbines will cause. It is estimated that 2,533 jobs will be lost (using a study from The Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University). Secondly, Nantucket Sound is an affluent fishing area. There are hundreds of fishing families in the areas where the Cape Wind project would be built. These families make half their annual income from catching fish. The family-owned businesses will be destroyed from the risk that their gears will become trapped in the cables of the 130 towers. The collapse of the fishing and tourist businesses will cost the local economy over a billion dollars. The cause and effect method is successful in Kennedy’s essay because the reader can fully understand what the problem is and why it is a bad idea.

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Furthermore, Kennedy chooses an argumentative mode of discourse. He takes a position on the issue and stands by it. Kennedy opposes the idea of the Cape Wind project on Nantucket Sound. His essay is set up like a persuasive essay. Kennedy begins with exposing his main argument, while acknowledging the other side. He writes “As an environmentalist, I support wind power, including wind power on the high seas…But I do believe that some places should be off limits to any sort of industrial development. I wouldn’t build a wind farm in Yosemite National Park. Nor would I build one on ...

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