Letter to the Editor
What to Do:
This discussion board prompt has two parts. 1. Respond to a topic that matters to you, about which you will write two versions of a “letter to the editor” of any magazine or periodical you choose. Include facts and reasons that are appropriate to your argument. Consider the array of persuasive strategies you might use in your letters to the editor. Your first letter to the editor should have a serious tone, and your second a comedic tone. In your comedic letter, you will use a fallacy to show how its use dilutes the effectiveness of your argument.
Reference the Below for an example of how this should be done. Do not use the same reference as the example
First Letter to the Editor: Serious tone
Dear Editor,
Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and immediate action is crucial for the sustainability of our planet. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, in our atmosphere, mainly due to fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, is driving global temperatures upward, resulting in severe weather patterns and rising sea levels. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we are already witnessing the consequences of a 1-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures, manifesting in more frequent and intense droughts, storms, and heat waves.
The science is unequivocal: if we do not curb our carbon emissions and move towards renewable energy sources, the future we are charting is grim. Every fraction of a degree in temperature rise correlates with a leap in violent weather events, economic disruption, and widespread ecological decay. This is not merely an environmental issue but a socio-economic crisis that demands a unified global response.
We urge policymakers, industry leaders, and communities worldwide to invest in clean energy, enforce stricter emissions regulations, and support climate research. Only through informed, concerted efforts can we hope to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and safeguard our future.
Sincerely,
Haley Ngo
Second Letter to the Editor: Comedic Tone
Dear Editor,
I recently read an article on climate change and couldn’t help but chuckle at the alarmist tone. I mean, come on, are we really going to attribute all of our weather-related issues to a small amount of extra CO2 in the air? It’s like saying one extra sprinkle of salt ruined the whole pot of soup!
Sure, scientists may use fancy terms like “greenhouse gases” and “global warming,” but let’s not jump to conclusions. I left a sandwich out for a few hours, and it did not transform into a tropical paradise. Consequently, the entire notion of a “warming planet” is a complete farce.
Instead of panicking and recycling every scrap of paper, maybe we should chill out and enjoy the balmy weather. Besides, who needs polar bears when we have magnificent stuffed animals to cuddle with?
Sincerely,
Haley Ngo
The comedic letter I had uses the fallacy of “appeal to ignorance” (argumentum ad ignorantiam), which asserts that a proposition is true because it has not yet been proven false or vice versa. This is evident when the letter dismisses the importance of evidence on climate change because personal experience does not confirm a wider scientific consensus. By using this argument, the comedic letter emphasizes how such arguments reduce the effectiveness and seriousness of arguments against climate change, highlighting the absurdity of ignoring scientific evidence in support of anecdotes or personal skepticism.