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Argument Analysis Essay

Tony Evans
Montgomery College
Professor Storm
2/23/16

Argument Analysis Essay

This paper is an analysis of the argument presented in, The United States Should
Aggressively Promote Nuclear Disarmament. It was written by Shultz, Perry, Kissinger, and
Nunn in 2009. Before the article starts, the authors backgrounds are stated in a clear and concise
manner that presents their credibility. George P Shultz is a professor of international economics
at Stanford University, William J Perry is also a professor at Stanford, Henry A. Kissinger is a
chairman of Kissinger Associates (an international consulting firm), and Sam Nunn was a former
chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee and is currently cochairman and chief
executive officer of the of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. The thesis and overall purpose of their
article is to convince readers that relying on nuclear weapons as a form of deterrence becoming
more dangerous and irresponsible. This articles argument is effective at what is tries to do.
The way the authors present their information and claims, shows that they are writing for
a neutral audience. They start out by saying their argument in the first paragraph, that the U.S.
will need to lead the way for world denuclearization and go onto to state why the argument is
currently something to care about. The first point the authors give is that having nuclear weapons
in modern times is a whole different scenario than what it was during the Cold War. They then
say that say that using old strategies of preventing nuclear weapons from being used, that have
worked in the past, will not hold up in modern times and will be dangerous if we do not change
them. This makes their argument seem relevant to the audience and is an effective starting point
for presenting new and current information on their topic.
In the authors first main point, they say that the world in becoming a dangerous place
with new countries developing or showing interest in developing nuclear weapons. They explain

using logos in a logical manner, a chain of events that will happen if these countries continue to
develop nuclear weapons. They start out their first paragraph on this point by referencing North
Koreas nuclear weapons testing and Irans refusal to stop their uranium enrichment program.
This shows that countries are indeed working on creating nuclear weapons and products and
proves that nuclear weapons are spreading to new places. The authors build upon this by
explaining that with nuclear weapons spreading, it would be easier for a terrorist organization to
get their hands on a nuclear device. If a terrorist organization did get their hands on a nuclear
weapon, they would most likely not care for nuclear retaliation being used against them. Also
using a nuclear strike against them as means of retaliation, would likely be impossible without
harming the nation where they are hiding. This example is very effective at getting the message
across that nuclear weapons can get out of control and can result in an unavoidable situation if
escalated to that point. They finish this point by saying that new nuclear nations would not have
the experience and judgment that the United States and Russia grew during the Cold War and
that might lead to reckless actions. The two paragraphs that talk about this point provide well
thought out information and logical scenarios that are an effective use of logos. A reader would
not have a hard time understanding this point and would most likely get them on board to listen
the next points.
In the authors second main point, they use ethos to support their credibility and argument
by showing several world leaders efforts, actions, and stances on denuclearization. In the first
paragraph the authors show that their argument was brought up by world leaders such as Dwight
D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy in passionate speeches on the dangers of nuclear weapons
and the great importance now having the world be a prison. They go on to show more leaders
viewpoints in favor of disarmament such as Gandhi, Ronald Reagan, and Mikhail Gorbachev,

creating a very strong defense of their argument as well as making it seem extremely credible.
They end off this point by telling the audience that they all need to get back on board with the
vision of a nuclear weapons free world that these leaders worked on so passionately. Overall the
authors use of ethos succeeded in strengthening their argument, and adds credibility to their
stance on denuclearization.
The authors next point uses pathos to show the audience the destructive nature of nuclear
weapons to create a relatable feeling, that will draw readers to their side of the argument. They
start off by saying a quote from Gandhi saying that "Nuclear war will not mean the death of a
hundred million people. Or even a thousand million. It will mean the extinction of four thousand
million: the end of life as we know it on our planet earth. This is a strong emotional quote that
carries huge weight, and will hold the attention of the audience. They go on the say that having
nuclear weapons that can cause so much destruction, while trying to create world peace its
irrational. By showing that nuclear weapons are far too dangerous having the capability to kill us
all, the authors create a feeling of urgency in the need to do away with them. They end by giving
a start to the path of denuclearization by saying First and foremost should be intensive work
with leaders of the countries in possession of nuclear weapons to turn the goal of a world without
nuclear weapons into a joint enterprise. This is a strong message that says people with all the
power need to decide that the way to denuclearization starts with them, and will end with them
guiding the way. The audience can relate to this message and it will strengthen the authors
argument.
Overall the authors Shultz, Perry, Kissinger, and Nunn present their argument in an
organized and interesting manner. They used Audience, Logos, Ethos, and Pathos in an effective

way that directly helps strengthen their argument and credibility. Lastly they give a strong
message that denuclearization needs to happen for there to be real peace, and give a path to it.

Citations
Nunn, S., Shultz, G. P., Kissinger, H. A., & Perry, W. J. (2009). The United States Should
Aggressively Promote Nuclear Disarmament. In L. I. Gerdes (Ed.), At Issue. Nuclear Weapons.
Detroit: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from A World Free of Nuclear Weapons: Ending the
Threat of Nuclear Arms, Wall Street Journal, p. A15, 2007, January 4) Retrieved from
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