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Lexi Frasher

Miss Cook

Composition

2 October 2017

Who Lives and Who Dies? Let The Cars Decide!

Should driverless cars get a say in who lives and who dies in a case of a rare but serious

accident? In Iyad Rahwans speech, What Moral Decisions Should Driverless Cars Make?, he

discusses the ethical side of driverless cars. Rahwan and his colleagues conduct surveys and

experiments to see everyday citizens opinions on the situation. Iyad Rahwans speech is effective

because he uses ethos, pathos, and logos to state his thoughts and persuade the reader.

In short, this speech has been created because of the advancements of driverless cars on

the horizons. As a society, we are getting to a point where we have to decide what is okay and

what is not when it comes to cars making ethical choices for us (Rahwan). Iyad Rahwans speech

about driverless cars discusses that if we continue in the advancements of these cars, the cars will

be faced with the moral choice of who lives and who dies. Should a car get to pick if a woman

walking down the street with her baby gets killed to save a large group of elderly men and

women? (Williams).This is a choice not many people are ready to embrace; a survey was

conducted and only 39 percent of the people who participated in the survey said that they were

looking forward to driverless cars (Williams). In Rahwans speech, he will explain why.

To begin with, in Iyad Rahwans speech, his use of ethos shows that he is a credible,

reliable source and that has the audiences best interest at heart. In the speech Rahwan explains,

We see this problem in many places: in the difficulty of managing overfishing, or in

reducing carbon emissions to mitigate climate change. When it comes to the regulation of
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driverless cars, the common land now is basically public safety -- that's the common good

-- and the farmers are the passengers or the car owners who are choosing to ride in those

cars. And by making the individually rational choice of prioritizing their own safety, they

may collectively be diminishing the common good, which is minimizing total harm.

This quote shows the orators credibility because he is talking about the common good of

everyone, instead of just choosing to do what is best for the passengers in the car, he is showing

his moral character by saying that by people putting themselves first, they may be causing harm

to the vast majority. According to the website where the video is posted, Rahwan is a PHD

holder, the AT&T Career Development Professor and Associate Professor of Media Arts and

Sciences at the MIT media lab. His work has also appeared in academic journals; this goes to

show that he is a credible source because he is a professional so people can depend on his

information to be truthful. These are just a few of the ways Rahwan uses ethos in his speech to

prove and strengthen his credibility.

Secondly, Rahwan uses logos throughout the speech to persuade the audience by giving

them reason to not support or at least second guess their opinions on driverless cars. In the

speech he says, The Department of Transport estimated that last year 35,000 people died from

traffic crashes in the US alone. Worldwide, 1.2 million people die every year in traffic accidents

(Rahwan). This is factual information because The World Health Organization (WHO) did an

article full of statistics on traffic deaths each year and the same fact the Rahwan provided is also

in the WHO article. The next instance Rahwan uses logos is when he states that he conducted a

survey about who the car should kill in a situation of life and death and the survey showed most

people wanted the driverless car to choose the action that would minimize total harm but that

these people would also never buy these cars (Rahwan). This being included in the speech
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effectively uses logos because because it persuades the reader to not have driverless cars because

a vast majority of people think its not fair for the cars to play God and also because most people

wouldnt even buy the car.

Next, Rahwan uses pathos throughout his speech to persuade the audience by appealing

to their emotions. In the speech, the orator states,

All of a sudden, the car experiences mechanical failure and is unable to stop. If the car

continues, it will crash into a bunch of pedestrians crossing the street, but the car may

swerve, hitting one bystander, killing them to save the pedestrians. What should the car

do, and who should decide? What if instead the car could swerve into a wall, crashing

and killing you, the passenger, in order to save those pedestrians? This scenario is

inspired by the trolley problem, which was invented by philosophers a few decades ago

to think about ethics (Rahwan).

This quote from the speaker effectively uses pathos because it appeals to the readers by talking

about human lives being at risk. If a person believes that harm may come from using driverless

cars, people will be less likely to buy them or even ride in them because they do not want to be

faced with a situation like that. Guilt can really have a hold on someone and people do not want

to feel guilty or be held accountable by purchasing and using driverless cars because the car

would have to make the choice of who lives and who dies, whether they are ethically correct in

the passengers eyes or not. This is one of the ways Iyad Rahwan uses pathos to persuade the

reader away from the use of driverless cars.

All in all, Iyad Rahwan does a very good job at using the rhetorical devices: ethos,

pathos, and logos. Throughout the speech he convinces the audience more and more each minute

they listen that driverless are not worth the cost of human's lives. Rahwan uses ethos to show the
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reader that he is a credible source by showing that he cares about the common good of all people

and he also shows that he is credible because he has a PHD and a long list of many other

achievements. Secondly, Rahwan uses logos effectively to show the audience facts about traffic

deaths and all the people that do not agree with the use of driverless cars to almost scare the

reader out of using or purchasing driverless cars. Lastly, Rahwan uses pathos to make people

think about the actual loss of human life that may happen people decide to use driverless cars.

Altogether, the orator effectively uses the techniques of ethos, pathos, and logos throughout the

speech to persuade the reader to not use driverless cars.

Works Cited

Associated Press. For Driverless Cars, A Moral Dilemma: Who Lives or Dies? Fox Business,

Iyad Rawhan, January 18, 2017, http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/01/18/for-

driverless-cars-moral-dilemma-who-lives-or-dies.html.
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Rahwan, Iyad. What Moral Decisions Should Driverless Cars Make? August 27, 2017.

https://www.ted.com/talks/iyad_rahwan_what_moral_decisions_should_driverless_cars_

make/transcript#t-369573

Williams, David. "It's Still a Bumpy Road Ahead for Driverless Car Technology." Evening

Standard, 27 July 2017, p. 55. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=124322742&site=eds-

live&authtype=cookie,ip,custuid&custid=infohio.

World Health Organization. Road Traffic Injuries, May 2017,

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs358/en/.

Rubric rating submitted on: 10/14/2017, 5:54:03 PM by danielle.cook@redstreaks.org


5 4 3 2 1 0

Introduction 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No


W.2.a & creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
Conclusion demonstrated Introduction demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Introduction
W.2.e Introduction W.2.a a couple a few errors several errors W.2.a
Your score: W.2.a -Intro errors exist exist exist -Intro
5 -Intro paragraph Introduction Introduction Introduction paragraph
paragraph captures the W.2.a W.2.a W.2.a captures the
captures the readers -Intro -Intro -Intro readers
readers attention. paragraph paragraph paragraph attention.
attention. -A brief captures the captures the captures the -A brief
-A brief summary of readers readers readers summary of
summary of the text(s) attention. attention. attention. the text(s)
the text(s) analyzed is -A brief -A brief -A brief analyzed is
analyzed is given to summary of summary of summary of given to
given to anticipate the the text(s) the text(s) the text(s) anticipate the
anticipate the readers analyzed is analyzed is analyzed is readers
readers knowledge given to given to given to knowledge
knowledge level--no anticipate the anticipate the anticipate the level--no
level--no more than a readers readers readers more than a
more than a couple knowledge knowledge knowledge couple
couple sentences. level--no level--no level--no sentences.
sentences. -Intro more than a more than a more than a -Intro
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-Intro paragraph couple couple couple paragraph


paragraph clearly sentences. sentences. sentences. clearly
clearly introduces the -Intro -Intro -Intro introduces the
introduces the thesis and paragraph paragraph paragraph thesis and
thesis and topic of the clearly clearly clearly topic of the
topic of the body introduces the introduces the introduces the body
body paragraphs thesis and thesis and thesis and paragraphs
paragraphs that are clear, topic of the topic of the topic of the that are clear,
that are clear, sophisticated, body body body sophisticated,
sophisticated, and paragraphs paragraphs paragraphs and
and insightful. that are clear, that are clear, that are clear, insightful.
insightful. Conclusion sophisticated, sophisticated, sophisticated, Conclusion
Conclusion W.2.e and and and W.2.e
W.2.e -Conclusion insightful. insightful. insightful. -Conclusion
-Conclusion restates Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion restates
restates thesis, W.2.e W.2.e W.2.e thesis,
thesis, reviews the -Conclusion -Conclusion -Conclusion reviews the
reviews the topics/claims restates restates restates topics/claims
topics/claims in the body of thesis, thesis, thesis, in the body of
in the body of the essay, reviews the reviews the reviews the the essay,
the essay, offers closure topics/claims topics/claims topics/claims offers closure
offers closure and answers in the body of in the body of in the body of and answers
and answers the So the essay, the essay, the essay, the So
the So What? offers closure offers closure offers closure What?
What? question. and answers and answers and answers question.
question. the So the So the So
What? What? What?
question. question. question.

Body W.2.b 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No


Your score: creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
5 demonstrated Body W.2.b demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Body W.2.b
Body W.2.b -Each body a couple a few errors several errors -Each body
-Each body paragraph errors exist exist exist paragraph
paragraph begins with a Body W.2.b Body W.2.b Body W.2.b begins with a
begins with a clear, -Each body -Each body -Each body clear,
clear, sophisticated, paragraph paragraph paragraph sophisticated,
sophisticated, insightful begins with a begins with a begins with a insightful
insightful topic clear, clear, clear, topic
topic sentence. sophisticated, sophisticated, sophisticated, sentence.
sentence. -Claims, insightful insightful insightful -Claims,
-Claims, reasons, and topic topic topic reasons, and
reasons, and evidence are sentence. sentence. sentence. evidence are
evidence are effectively -Claims, -Claims, -Claims, effectively
effectively structured reasons, and reasons, and reasons, and structured
structured and organized evidence are evidence are evidence are and organized
and organized in a logical effectively effectively effectively in a logical
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in a logical sequence structured structured structured sequence


sequence with effective and organized and organized and organized with effective
with effective transitions. in a logical in a logical in a logical transitions.
transitions. -The sequence sequence sequence -The
-The significance with effective with effective with effective significance
significance of the claims transitions. transitions. transitions. of the claims
of the claims is clearly -The -The -The is clearly
is clearly established significance significance significance established
established for the of the claims of the claims of the claims for the
for the audience is clearly is clearly is clearly audience
audience throughout established established established throughout
throughout the body. for the for the for the the body.
the body. -Maintains a audience audience audience -Maintains a
-Maintains a consistent throughout throughout throughout consistent
consistent focus the body. the body. the body. focus
focus throughout. -Maintains a -Maintains a -Maintains a throughout.
throughout. Ideas always consistent consistent consistent Ideas always
Ideas always related back focus focus focus related back
related back to thesis in throughout. throughout. throughout. to thesis in
to thesis in order to prove Ideas always Ideas always Ideas always order to prove
order to prove the central related back related back related back the central
the central claim. to thesis in to thesis in to thesis in claim.
claim. -A clear, order to prove order to prove order to prove -A clear,
-A clear, accurate the central the central the central accurate
accurate analysis of claim. claim. claim. analysis of
analysis of the use of -A clear, -A clear, -A clear, the use of
the use of rhetoric accurate accurate accurate rhetoric
rhetoric within the analysis of analysis of analysis of within the
within the text is the use of the use of the use of text is
text is apparent. rhetoric rhetoric rhetoric apparent.
apparent. within the within the within the
text is text is text is
apparent. apparent. apparent.

Evidence & 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No


Elaboration creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
RL. 1 demonstrated Evidence & demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Evidence &
Your score: Evidence & Elaboration a couple a few errors several errors Elaboration
5 Elaboration RL. 1 errors exist exist exist RL. 1
RL. 1 -Contains Evidence & Evidence & Evidence & -Contains
-Contains effective, Elaboration Elaboration Elaboration effective,
effective, specific, RL. 1 RL. 1 RL. 1 specific,
specific, relevant -Contains -Contains -Contains relevant
relevant examples and effective, effective, effective, examples and
examples and details to specific, specific, specific, details to
details to back up relevant relevant relevant back up
back up major claims examples and examples and examples and major claims
major claims in each body details to details to details to in each body
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in each body paragraph back up back up back up paragraph


paragraph and the major claims major claims major claims and the
and the thesis. in each body in each body in each body thesis.
thesis. -Clear paragraph paragraph paragraph -Clear
-Clear reflection on and the and the and the reflection on
reflection on the evidence thesis. thesis. thesis. the evidence
the evidence is referenced -Clear -Clear -Clear is referenced
is referenced from the text reflection on reflection on reflection on from the text
from the text and the evidence the evidence the evidence and
and thoroughly is referenced is referenced is referenced thoroughly
thoroughly and clearly from the text from the text from the text and clearly
and clearly explained to and and and explained to
explained to the audience. thoroughly thoroughly thoroughly the audience.
the audience. - and clearly and clearly and clearly -
- Demonstrates explained to explained to explained to Demonstrates
Demonstrates thoughtful the audience. the audience. the audience. thoughtful
thoughtful consideration - - - consideration
consideration of the task Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates of the task
of the task and thoughtful thoughtful thoughtful and
and thoroughly consideration consideration consideration thoroughly
thoroughly answers the of the task of the task of the task answers the
answers the prompt. and and and prompt.
prompt. thoroughly thoroughly thoroughly
answers the answers the answers the
prompt. prompt. prompt.

Mechanics, 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No


Usage & creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
Style W.2.c,d demonstrated Mechanics, demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Mechanics,
& L. 1 & 2 Mechanics, Usage & a couple a few errors several errors Usage &
Your score: Usage & Style W.2.c,d errors exist exist exist Style W.2.c,d
5 Style W.2.c,d & L. 1 & 2 Mechanics, Mechanics, Mechanics, & L. 1 & 2
& L. 1 & 2 -Sentence Usage & Usage & Usage & -Sentence
-Sentence variety and Style W.2.c,d Style W.2.c,d Style W.2.c,d variety and
variety and word choice & L. 1 & 2 & L. 1 & 2 & L. 1 & 2 word choice
word choice is effective -Sentence -Sentence -Sentence is effective
is effective and variety and variety and variety and and
and sophisticated. word choice word choice word choice sophisticated.
sophisticated. -A formal is effective is effective is effective -A formal
-A formal style and and and and style and
style and objective tone sophisticated. sophisticated. sophisticated. objective tone
objective tone is established -A formal -A formal -A formal is established
is established and style and style and style and and
and maintained & objective tone objective tone objective tone maintained &
maintained & -Writing is is established is established is established -Writing is
-Writing is clear, and and and clear,
clear, concise, and maintained & maintained & maintained & concise, and
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concise, and strong. -Writing is -Writing is -Writing is strong.


strong. -Sentences clear, clear, clear, -Sentences
-Sentences demonstrate concise, and concise, and concise, and demonstrate
demonstrate correct usage, strong. strong. strong. correct usage,
correct usage, punctuation, -Sentences -Sentences -Sentences punctuation,
punctuation, capitalization, demonstrate demonstrate demonstrate capitalization,
capitalization, and spelling. correct usage, correct usage, correct usage, and spelling.
and spelling. punctuation, punctuation, punctuation,
capitalization, capitalization, capitalization,
and spelling. and spelling. and spelling.

MLA Format 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= Attempted 1= Attempted 0 = No


W.8 creatively Demonstrated Attempted to to to attempt made
Your score: demonstrated MLA Format demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; MLA Format
5 MLA Format W.8 a couple a few errors several errors W.8
W.8 -Information errors exist exist exist -Information
-Information from the text MLA Format MLA Format MLA Format from the text
from the text is integrated W.8 W.8 W.8 is integrated
is integrated into the essay -Information -Information -Information into the essay
into the essay selectively to from the text from the text from the text selectively to
selectively to maintain the is integrated is integrated is integrated maintain the
maintain the flow of ideas, into the essay into the essay into the essay flow of ideas,
flow of ideas, and selectively to selectively to selectively to and
and overreliance maintain the maintain the maintain the overreliance
overreliance on the text flow of ideas, flow of ideas, flow of ideas, on the text
on the text using and and and using
using transition overreliance overreliance overreliance transition
transition words/phrase on the text on the text on the text words/phrase
words/phrase s. Plagiarism using using using s. Plagiarism
s. Plagiarism is avoided by transition transition transition is avoided by
is avoided by each quote words/phrase words/phrase words/phrase each quote
each quote being s. Plagiarism s. Plagiarism s. Plagiarism being
being appropriately is avoided by is avoided by is avoided by appropriately
appropriately cited using each quote each quote each quote cited using
cited using in-text being being being in-text
in-text citations and appropriately appropriately appropriately citations and
citations and a works cited cited using cited using cited using a works cited
a works cited page. in-text in-text in-text page.
page. -Paper is citations and citations and citations and -Paper is
-Paper is formatted a works cited a works cited a works cited formatted
formatted according to page. page. page. according to
according to MLA -Paper is -Paper is -Paper is MLA
MLA guidelines formatted formatted formatted guidelines
guidelines (header, font, according to according to according to (header, font,
(header, font, spacing, MLA MLA MLA spacing,
spacing, margins, page guidelines guidelines guidelines margins, page
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margins, page number, etc). (header, font, (header, font, (header, font, number, etc).
number, etc). spacing, spacing, spacing,
margins, page margins, page margins, page
number, etc). number, etc). number, etc).

Comments:
Total: 25/25 x 4 = 100 A

The essay is very well organized and developed. You answered each part of the prompt and
supported your analysis very well. The evidence clearly supports your point and is thoroughly
explained. Overall, this is a very good analysis, Lexi! Since you're not struggling with the
organization or mechanics of the essay it may be worth focusing on choosing descriptive, precise
words or incorporating more literary devices into your work (analogies, similes, sensory
language etc) to give it a little bit of style. Not a lot to where it is fluff, just enough to add a
splash of color into your more serious writing to make it a bit more engaging. Something to think
about for your argumentative essay.

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