Journalist Garrett Mitchell, in his article featured in AZ Central’s The Republic, “Arizona trooper who saved teen sex-trade victim: 'No one should be trafficked,'” covers a case of sex-trafficking within the Central Arizona area. Mitchell’s purpose is to make the issue of the presence of sex trade apparent and that it is happening among us. The writer’s tone informs citizens of the Arizona area of this true story as well as cautioning citizens towards trafficking and the reality of such crimes within close proximities to citizens in the Southwest area. Mitchell uses the rhetorical devices of ethos, pathos and the reverse structure of his essay in order to raise awareness of the reality of sex trade in the United States Southwest area. One rhetorical device present in Mitchell’s article is using ethos to prove his own credibility as a journalist. Mitchell gives insight from Jonathan Otto, the first hand member of a Central Arizona arrest, to prove the evidence of sex trafficking in the United States Southwest area. Otto states in the article, “the girl was trafficked in Southern California, taken to Arizona, and was on her way to Las Vegas at the time of the traffic stop” (Mitchell 1). The author also validates his immediate stance of “‘No one should be trafficked’” by recalling Otto’s rescue of a sixteen-year-old girl from continued sex-trafficking, including details crucial for police reports, involving those arrested: “Rasheen Adams, 22, and Chicha Harris, 22, of Las Vegas....were arrested and face fe 2 lony charges including sex trafficking of a minor….” (Garrett Mitchell 1). The journalist proves his credibility sharing many quotes from Otto as the trooper leads him through the arrest he made for the sake of this illegally trafficked girl. Mitchell depicts his reliability using photos taken of those arrested, including the location to be taken at the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (Mitchell 2). This builds Mitchell’s credibility by proof of including the visual aspect of the perpetrators. Garrett Mitchell further uses the appeal pathos to reach his audience of the Southwest in a way that reaches their emotions.
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He appeals to them through using the trafficked girl's age, stating “there was chance the girl was active in prostitution and had been since she was 15” (Mitchell 2). He shows how desperate the girl was for money, quoting Otto, “‘And she was trying to get away from her impoverished life. This is definitely not the way to do that’” (Mitchell 2). This allows readers to feel sympathy for the trafficked girl and helps them to connect with the victim, given that money is and always will be a relatable issue. In addition to the case of the sixteen-year-old girl, a picture of a child who is in a slum, dirty and trafficked is included in the article as well, to physically illustrate the severity of the situation, including the caption: “In 2016, troopers rescued 9 kids on traffic stops who were being trafficked or at risk of being trafficked.” (Mitchell 2). He uses the photos to show the reality of human trafficking among American living, tugging on the heartstrings of the average Arizonian. Many citizens don't realize human trafficking is something present in their own society, just something in other countries, but no; it's happening in the United States too. The author of this article covering an arrest made in January 2017 not only uses the tactics of appealing to
He appeals to them through using the trafficked girl's age, stating “there was chance the girl was active in prostitution and had been since she was 15” (Mitchell 2). He shows how desperate the girl was for money, quoting Otto, “‘And she was trying to get away from her impoverished life. This is definitely not the way to do that’” (Mitchell 2). This allows readers to feel sympathy for the trafficked girl and helps them to connect with the victim, given that money is and always will be a relatable issue. In addition to the case of the sixteen-year-old girl, a picture of a child who is in a slum, dirty and trafficked is included in the article as well, to physically illustrate the severity of the situation, including the caption: “In 2016, troopers rescued 9 kids on traffic stops who were being trafficked or at risk of being trafficked.” (Mitchell 2). He uses the photos to show the reality of human trafficking among American living, tugging on the heartstrings of the average Arizonian. Many citizens don't realize human trafficking is something present in their own society, just something in other countries, but no; it's happening in the United States too. The author of this article covering an arrest made in January 2017 not only uses the tactics of appealing to