Rhetorical Appeals: Stephen King's 'Why We Crave Horror Movies'

This document offers a thorough rhetorical analysis of Stephen King's essay, 'Why We Crave Horror Movies.' It meticulously examines King's use of rhetorical devices, including logos, ethos, and pathos, to understand how he constructs his arguments and persuades the reader. The analysis delves into specific examples of anaphora, similes, and other literary techniques employed by King to enhance his points. The essay explores King's central argument about the human fascination with horror, the role of the subconscious mind, and the psychological benefits of experiencing fear. Furthermore, it offers insights into how King connects with the audience, establishing his credibility and evoking emotional responses to support his claims. The analysis also includes a summary of King's ideas and references to his original work, providing a comprehensive understanding of the essay's structure and persuasive strategies.

Why we crave horror movies
[Document subtitle]
STUDENT DETAILS

THREE RHETORICAL APPEALS 1
Rhetorical devices
Logos:
This book is written by King Stephen. This book is published by Playboy/HMH Publishing
Company, 1981. First Edition. In this article, author connects the functioning of the mind
because it changes when an individual approach to any horror story, movies or any novel.
However, the functioning of the mind also affected if that content is strong enough to put impact
on the readers (King, 1981).
Ethos
Author Stephen King is the American creator of contemporary loathsomeness, anticipation, sci-fi
and dream. As watching a horror movie or reading a horror book gives a negative set of
consideration or it can be said that watching a horror movie creates a negative imagination in the
mind which may lead to depression or anxiety issues. However, it depends upon person to person
that at which levels are let the horror content impacted their mental state. For example: it is
observed that while watching a horror movie subconscious mind of the people start linking the
content with their real-life scenario. At subconscious level, people start linking the content and it
cause nightmares to them. On the other hand, scientifically it is proven that watching horror
movies can help an individual in improving adrenal glands pumping overtime with effective and
immediate efforts.
Anaphora: People who converse with themselves, individuals who in some cases squint their
countenances into awful scowls when they accept nobody is watching, individuals who have
some crazy dread.
Similitudes: Blood and gore films to crazy ride, crocodiles to an individual’s craziness.

THREE RHETORICAL APPEALS 2
Mention: "Freda Jackson... in Die, Monster, Die!" and "Lennon and McCartney who said that all
you need is love"
Sound to word imitation: "Craziness drives to cut up ladies like Jack the Ripper or the Cleveland
Torso Murderer.
Incongruity: Contrasting best blood.
Absolute opposite: "Barring holy people, over a significant time span; however, at that point,
most holy people have been insane in their own particular manners" (King, 1981).
Pathos
Each individual on the planet has a touch of craziness within them. The author believes everyone
has the internal dark desires that should not be acted upon (King, 1981). King also expressed that
these emotions are good to experience but people learn from their childhood that they should not
express horror emotions and negative feelings. Moreover, the author expressed that it is good to
express such feeling. Apart from this, the author also accepts that we are on the whole insane,
and blood and gore flicks permit us an opportunity to enjoy that wiped out creative mind of our
own, just as enclosure that "eager" some portion of our cerebrum (King, 1981).
Summary
For anybody that enjoys thrillers to the point of searching out for all intents and purposes each
one that is ever been made so as to get that adrenaline surge, the inquiry turns out to be
significantly all the more squeezing. Apart from this, studies also show that while watching
horror movies, an individual start liking the story with his/her real-life context (King, 1981).

THREE RHETORICAL APPEALS 3
Horror movies or novels are only for the entertainment purpose and an individual should not
think for the negative thoughts or for the negative horror scenes (King, 1981).

THREE RHETORICAL APPEALS 4
References
King, S. (1981). Why we crave horror movies. Short Essays for Composition, 1(1), 524-
528.