EXERCISE 14.9

Make a list of common human emotions that might be attached to each of the following topics, and suggest appropriate ways to appeal to those emotions in a specific audience you choose to address.

  1. banning drinking on campus

    Concern over basic human rights if banned; concern about impacted social life; relief that pressure to drink would be lessened; concern that drinking would merely go underground and possibly become more dangerous; anger that a “right” has been restricted; resentment at being forbidden from doing something pleasurable.
  2. airport security

    Fear of terrorist hijackings; concern over possible invasion of privacy; anger over failure of past security measures.
  3. birth control

    Relief that unwanted pregnancies can be prevented; fear that easy access will lead to promiscuity; anger that the burden lies primarily with women.
  4. health care reform

    Anger that taxes will be raised; relief that everyone will have health insurance regardless of class; concern for the efficiency of a new system.
  5. steroid use among athletes

    Concern for the health of athletes; anger that coaches and players want to win at any cost.