"Why Does Radical Islam Appeal to So Many Young Men?"
Mahmood Fazal approaches the topic in a more objective manner, as he aims to highlight the views and difficulties of both sides of radicalized terror. The goal of this text is not so much to make the audience sympathize with those that commit violent acts, but to understand that things are far less black-and-white that might be portrayed in the general media.
The register and tone is kept serious, but not grim, which aids in establishing a more objective, neutral view.
The author's personality is still visible throughout the article, evident through the first-person narration and indicators of emphasis which allude to speech. Examples can be seen in the author's quotation of a friend " demanding with his M16 an explanation of what the Arabic poster on the wall meant. ". The italics imply that emphasis is put on the word "meant", usually not discernible through text unless specific markings have been added as is in this case. The use of first person and personal anecdotes allows Fazal to establish a sincere image and a connection with the audience. This makes his logical arguments and reasoning more convincing, due to breaking the barrier that is present for many reading due to cultural differences and prior-held views.
Imagery is used to show the often unnecessarily cruel treatment Muslims are subject to due to held prejudice. In the retelling of his friends' description "He compares his memory of the raids to shellshock. He recalls the image of his cuffed father, helpless on the floor as a policeman kneed him in the back, demanding with his M16 an explanation of what the Arabic poster on the wall meant. He was later released without any charges. " The description of the police show them as oppressive and forceful which as they are described as pinning the man to the ground, and holding him at gunpoint. The excessiveness of this oppression is then shown to the audience by revealing that he was found innocent.
Contrast using general connotations is also present. When recounting the raids across Melboure, "Victorian Police Special Operations Group yanked teenage boys out of bed and marched them into bearcat military vehicles" Fazal uses words such as "yanked" and "marched", which emphasize the suddenness and forcefulness of the raid. The forceful description is then used to contrast the description of "teenage boys", where the use of "boys" emphasizes their inexperience and innocence.
The overindulgent force of the police against many alleged criminals is used to highlight the difficulties many marginalized people face, which is described as a possible pathway into crime. The reason for people becoming criminals is shown to be one of inadequacy of the environment, rather than the nature of the person themselves. Mostly Fazal's own friends are quoted and recounted from in the article, allowing him to humanize these people more, as they are viewed from a more relatable lens. Redescribing possible criminals or suspects as "friends with difficulties" allows the audience to better understand the two-sided nature of the situation, which is hard to do when the connotations of delinquency and violence are still present.
Keeping a formal and serious tone allows the author to focus primarily on the issue and to develop his primary rhetorical technique, which is the appeal to logic. Various sources and first-hand quotes are used to present the audience with a convincing array of information. Even if they do not sympathize with the author's friends and others who are referenced throughout the text, an understanding can be established, that the reason for cruel acts of violence is not some visceral evil within people but continued marginalization and discrimination.
Techniques used to achieve the effect of logos are used most often throughout the article, although it shouldn't be disregarded that some authorial choices help to establish pathos and ethos. While the main goal of the article is to provide a logical argument in order to shift the audience's viewpoint into one that regards both sides of conflict, the topic of the article is one that is quite sensitive, and many are likely to approach it with pre-conceived notions. In order to bypass the limitations in communicating his idea, Fazal utilizes first-hand descriptions and first-person narration in order to establish a stronger connection with the audience, through which he can better share his points.