John Embler English 255 Braun 17 March, 2014

Twitter Analysis
The issue of gun control is blowing up on Twitter. Civilians, celebrities and politicians alike are all getting in on the conversation. My analysis on gun control through Twitter revealed that Twitter is a great place to talk about controversial topics like this one because it gives everyone concerned to openly voice their opinion. Almost everyone concerned with gun control and active on Twitter has been tweeting about it and one thing is apparent: everyone believes change is needed. Piers Morgan is very involved with the subject proven by his multiple tweets bashing President Obama and his lack of action regarding the issue. Normally I would not quote an individual that did not at least attempt to criticize constructively, but Piers Morgans public image in regards to political issues makes him a credible source. Piers has been tweeting things like Not a single gun control measure proposed by Pres Obama involves taking away anyones guns. Fact. Just another myth propagated by the @NRA, as well as Im absolutely sick of these endless blood mass shootings in America. You promised action after Sandy Hook @BarackObama where is it? Piers clearly holds President Obama responsible because he is all the time talking about gun reformation, but all of his new laws are doing the exact opposite. As expected, President Obama

did not directly reply to Piers, but he did tweet a picture of President Obamas Plan to Reduce Gun Violence and Help Protect our Kids. (4 step process) Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are all used in the Twitter debate. Most people use pathos through former tragedies or logos through statistical evidence. Politicians and celebrities like Piers use their high standing in attempt to also grab an ethos effect as well. I believe that logos and pathos are the most effective on this issue because its hard to argue with statistics and former tragedies are very upsetting to relive. Piers hashtag #NewtonBetrayed brought out my emotions because of how horrible that massacre was. Comments like that force me agree with the fact that gun control needs amending. Twitter can play a strong role in public issues like this one because it allows millions of people to openly discuss their opinions for the world to see. If I were to become involved with the conversation I would discuss the need to refine the issue, but I would back my stance up with the fact that we must retain our right to bear arms.