Opinion critique #1: March for Life shows pro-life cause is strong - Abortion is murder, not health care
In a FoxNews article, Allie Beth Stuckey writes about perhaps one of the most socially controversial issues: abortion. Stuckey is an American podcast host, blogger,
author and conservative Christian commentator who works for Blaze TV.
Stuckey’s
theme and angle are clear. As the title of the article states, “Abortion is
child murder, not health care.” Additionally, a main part of the article spoke
about the 46th March for Life and how President Donald Trump was the
first president in history to attend the event.
Allie Beth Stuckey is an American podcast host, blogger, author and conservative Christian commentator who works for Blaze TV. She has also appeared on Fox & Friends |
Additionally, Stuckey’s stance on abortion remains clear, as she uses credible human sources from both political spectrums. One particular quote she uses is from Trump: “We are here…to defend every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential.”
Stuckey used
the tweet of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren of
Massachusetts: “Abortion rights are human rights. Abortion rights are economic
rights. We will never stop fighting to defend those rights.”
Stuckey
didn’t forget to mention Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders
of Vermont’s tweet: “Abortion is health care.”
However, I
do wish Stuckey pulled statistics on how many women receive an abortion per year,
the average age of those who receive an abortion, the reasons why one receives
an abortion, the psychological repercussions of having an abortion and other
valuable evidence that could make her argument stronger. I contend that if
Stuckey provided more statistical evidence, her argument could be more persuasive.
Stuckey lead
was as follows: “The thousands of people who gathered in Washington Friday for the
46th March for Life proved that enthusiasm for the pro-life cause is
as strong as it’s ever been.”
In my
opinion, I think Stuckey had a strong lead based on the color, vocabulary,
persuasiveness and storytelling elements she used. Stuckey didn’t say something
simple like “People attended the 46th Match for Life in Washington
Friday.” Instead, she used colorful words like “thousands of people” in order
to provide vivid imagery. When she mentions, “Enthusiasm for the pro-life cause
is as strong as it’s ever been,” it also adds to the color of the piece.
Overall, the lead follows a hard news lead primarily because it gets to the point
to deliver the news. It also incorporates the five W’s and H—which for those
who don’t know is the who, what, where, when, why and how.
As for the
kicker, Stuckey ends the piece by simply stating “This is why we march.” I
personally believe this a simple, yet effective way to end the piece. Instead
of trying to summarize her main points in a jumble of words, she uses five words that
leave a lasting impact on readers. In this example, a full circle kicker would
be applicable.
Perhaps I
am biased, but I am particularly passionate about the pro-life stance on
abortion and I am familiar with Stuckey’s work. While other people may disagree
with me, Stuckey does an excellent job at grabbing my attention from the lead
and ends in the strongest and most satisfying way possible (for me).
Further, Stuckey’s piece consisted of clear
transitions. I wouldn’t go as far as calling the transitions “colorful,” but maybe
that is because abortion is such a hard and controversial matter. Stuckey also
uses repetition and continually illustrates how she contends that abortion is
murder.
Stuckey
uses her experience as a mother in this piece as a way to tell it from her perspective
and to make a more credible argument. For instance, she mentions, “Becoming a
mom last year made the abortion issue tangible for me. When we saw our kicking,
punching, perfectly formed 11-week baby on the ultrasound, all the pro-life
arguments I knew and believed became more than just talking points. They became
experiences.”
Stuckey’s
final statements in her piece also evoke an emotional and powerful
perspective. She states, “This is why we fight so hard. This is why we work
tirelessly to offer resources to pregnant women in crisis. This is why we do
everything we can to create a culture of life, in which babies are viewed as
blessings – not burdens. This is why we care. This is why we speak up.”
Overall, Stuckey
has a clear, logical and well-thought-out argument. My main issue with her piece
is that she could have used more statistical evidence to support her pro-life stance.
To read the article yourself, click here: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/allie-beth-stuckey-march-for-life-shows-pro-life-cause-is-strong-unborn-children-are-people
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