Braun 1

Ryan Braun
WRIT 2- Simpson
10/13/15
Writing Project 1- Identifying Genre
The work of sports op-ed writers is crafted around there innate ability to utilize ethos,
logos and an informative tone to draw in readers of all genres. Powerful adjectives are littered
throughout the course of each article, to solidify the ideas of the writer and coincide in
compelling the reader to take a stance. In this case, the sports op-ed writers are debating over a
suspension for Tom Brady and his role in allegedly deflating footballs in the NFL playoffs. As in
these articles, sports op-ed writers conventionally utilize rhetorical devices such as logos, ethos
and an informal, yet persuasive tone to manipulate the reader into taking their side on the matter.
Not only is this effective in terms of keeping readers intrigued, but it fuels controversy and
excitement into the booming sports media business, encouraging future readers in the sports oped genre.
A sports op-ed writer typically uses logos as foundation for their ideas, giving the article
a persuasive feel to it. The authors elect to format their writings so that information is presented
as a list, in a factual, matter of fact way in order to allow the reader to draw their own
conclusions and opinions on the matter. Logos compels the reader to take a stance on the debacle
and contributes to the credibility of the author. In Deborah Nadolskis article from New York, the
writing is very raw and ends up providing the necessary information and no more. Nadolski
refrains from any sot of interaction with elevated or controversial diction that could be disputed
by the readers, instead choosing to speak more informatively to effectively convey the
information. Nadolski states Brady [wrote] text messages between him, locker room attendant
Jim McNally and equipment manager John Jastremski, as stated in the 243-page deflate-gate

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report,1 which not only confirms that Brady tampered with the football, but it gives the reader
more background information on the situation to draw their own conclusions. Nadolski is
attempting to sway the reader by using a confident, matter-of-fact tone so that the reader truts her
credibility and understands the point she is attempting to make. In Kevin Nogles article with the
Miami Dolphins, information is once again presented in a very factual state, refraining from
diction that could catalyze an outrage from edgy readers. Chad Finns article out of Boston uses
Roger Goodell, the commissioner attempting to prosecute Brady, as the scapegoat for the entire
incident. Unlike many of the other articles within this genre, Finn takes a risky approach by
saying Goodells botched disciplinary measures in the recent past are a victim of the
commissioner's overcompensation.2 Finn factually states the Patriots lost a first-round pick in
2016 (as well as a fourth-rounder the following year and a $1 million fine) for this petty
misdemeanor. The apparent anger in Finns tone along with his attempt to blame Goodell, make
his article a little obscure from the rest. Finn elected to try something different and scapegoat
Goodell in this situation so that his article was one of the more heavily disputed arguments
within the genre. The authors utilize logos as a compelling factor in their arguments, forcing the
reader to make a conclusion with the set of facts given.
Sports op-ed authors use a specific tone in their work so that the writing comes across not only as
informative, but controversial. The writers primary goal is to spark an opinion out of the reader
whether it be an opposing argument or supporting. In order to do this, authors will develop
accusations that seem far enough out of the norm for the ideas to be easily disputed. The tone in
which the authors discuss the event revolves around the severity of which Brady altered the
1 Nadolski, Deborah. "Why Tom Brady Should Be Suspended." AXS. AXS News, 10 May 2015.
Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
2 Finn,Chad."TheTomBradySuspensionIsn'tEventheMostDamagingPartofthePatriots'
Punishment."Boston.com.TheNewYorkTimes,11May2015.Web.30Sept.2015.

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game. Nogle uses first person to give his opinion, stating, [he believes] it is a blatant breaking
of the rules, and for that, the NFL has to come down hard.3 Nogles strict tone efficiently paints
Brady as the bad guy in the scenario and accomplishes Nogles primary objective in the article
by taking a firm stance on the matter. Because Nogle is from Miami, he is motivated to talk
negatively about the Miami Dolphins division rival Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Nadolski speaks in a more annoyed tone towards Brady, stating football fans around the nation
have had enough of the Patriots cheating. Nadolski speaks factually, but occasionally flares up
and uses more intriguing diction as a writing strategy to compel the reader. It is evident through
his Boston.com article that Finn is furious by the ruling and it shows in his writing. Finn comes
off as defensive in supporting the Patriots and completely tried to blame the dilemma on
Goodell. The tones of the articles vary in the severity at which they attack Brady and the Patriots,
but all effectively convey their arguments.
Ethos is an essential element in sports op-ed writing because it analyzes the credibility of the
writer and explains their bias and stance on the situation. For example, Nogle is a writer for the
Miami Dolphins, a division rival for the Patriots. However, over the years, the Dolphins have
been on relatively good terms with New England. In this instance, one could expect Nogle to
take a suppressed opinion on the situation to stay free of any controversy and hostility. Nogle
may have refrained from insulting the Patriots and muted his true belief to avoid stirring the pot
and creating a dispute. Nadolski writes out of New York, home of the division rival Jets and long
time nemesis of the Patriots. Nadolski speaks in a more hostile tone regarding the matter and
does expect Brady to serve a lengthy suspension. Chad Finn is from Boston, home of the New
England Patriots, so it is easy to understand why he would support Brady and the Patriots. The
3 Nogle,Kevin."DeflateGate:WhytheLeagueShouldSuspendTomBradyforHalfthe
Season."ThePhinsider.11May2015.Web.30Sept.2015.

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ethos in the sports op-ed genre is essential because it explains the motivations and beliefs of the
writer in certain scenarios and gives the reader a different perspective on the matter.
Every once in a while a writer elects to bend a genre and break the conventions in order
to intrigue readers. The writer may attempt a different genre or even a different writing strategy
so that the idea they are presenting is unique and encourages the reader to delve farther into the
concept. Nadolskis article for axs.com, completely goes against the standard conventions for
sports op-ed writing and elects to implement some sort of pathos into her writing. Nadolski
brings in the younger generation of kids in order to sucker the reader into supporting her case.
Nadolski claims that Bradys cheating does not set a positive example for young future
athletes and it ruins the integrity of the game. Nadolski speaks very pessimistically and uses
quotes from parents regarding the message Bradys actions convey. Nadolski spices her writing
with these little dabs of ethos, saying because Brady is a father, the quarterback may need to
rethink how his actions will be perceived by his kids in the future. Laura Bolin Carroll wrote a
piece titled Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis that mentions the
importance of a writer humor to appeal to the audiences emotional side (Carroll, 56). It is
obvious that manipulating a readers emotions to strengthen an idea and appeal to the reader. In
this instance, Nadolski very efficiently uses pathos, a convention not typically used in this genre,
as a strategy to appeal to the reader like Carroll had mentioned. Nadolskis writing stays within
the sports op-ed genre solely because of the structure and the persuasive approach. It is evident
that Nadolski is attempting to prove Brady in the wrong, using pathos as a method to fortify her
argument.
Normally in sports op-ed articles, the writer uses a combination of concise logos, ethos
and controversial diction in order to take a stance on their event. Every once in a while, an

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author elects to branch from the normal conventions and use a different method, such as pathos
to nail their ideas into the readers mind. In conclusion, the authors all utilize their own sort of
ethos, pathos, logos and tone to effectively convey their point of view in a clear and efficient
matter.

Bibliography
Finn, Chad. "The Tom Brady Suspension Isn't Even the Most Damaging Part of the Patriots'
Punishment." Boston.com. The New York Times, 11 May 2015. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
Nadolski, Deborah. "Why Tom Brady Should Be Suspended." AXS. AXS News, 10 May 2015.
Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
Nogle, Kevin. "DeflateGate: Why the League Should Suspend Tom Brady for Half the Season."
The Phinsider. 11 May 2015. Web. 30 Sept. 2015.
Carroll,LauraBolin."Backpacksvs.Briefcases:StepstoRhetoricalAnalysis."Print.