Summary Of The Conservative Case For Gay Marriage

“The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage Why Same-sex Marriage Is An an American Value” is an essay written by Theodore B. Olson, arguing that same-sex marriage is what conservatives want in society and values. “Prop 8 Hurt My Family-Ask Me How” is a report released by Marriage Equality USA, listing different accounts of emotional and physical harassment on the LGBT community and its supporter due to Prop 8. In “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage Why Same-sex Marriage Is An an American Value” by Theodore B. Olson and “Prop 8 Hurt My Family - Ask Me How” by Marriage Equality USA, both of the authors used the different writing techniques efficiently to their advantages. They were able to reach their audience and give their message to the audience productively, using the different rhetorical strategies. The different rhetorical strategies that will be discussed about is purpose, audience, genre, stance, media/design, logos, ethos, and pathos.

Purpose is the goal of the author. Olsen’s goal was to convince conservatives the same-sex marriage fits with the ideal view of conservatives. As Olsen had put it, “Legalizing same-sex marriage would also be a recognition of basic American principles, and would represent the culmination of our nation’s commitment to

equal rights.” (76) Olsen gives his arguments, supporting the surprising ideas with the fact that he is a conservative himself. Also, he showcased the different arguments and break them down with evidence that they are incorrect. Olsen’s purpose got across to the audience clearly. In “Prop 8 Hurt My Family - Ask Me How”, Marriage Equality USA gives a summary of problems that connect to Prop 8. Also, it has stories of people that have went through harassment due to being against Prop 8. This report’s purpose is to connect with others that have went through the same thing. Compared to each other, the authors had very different purposes in mind. However, they both presented their purposes clearly to their specific known audience, directing it toward one group of people.
Audience are whom the author is writing to. In “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage Why Same-sex Marriage Is An an American Value”, the audience is known. The author is writing toward conservatives against same-sex marriage. In the essay, he repeatedly mentions how conservatives should do certain things and even calls them his “fellow conservatives” (Olsen, 76). In “Prop 8 Hurt My Family - Ask Me How”, the audience is known. The report is directed toward supporters of Proposition 8. The report empathize with the audience through the stories of harassment. The report uses first person to emphasize the unity between the audience and the author. An example is “...Prop 8 was a personal attack on our lives and families.” (Marriage Equality USA, 72) The audience between these two pieces reach out to the same people that the topic is based on. Even though both writing have a similar audience that the writing is directed toward, the writing themselves are different types of genre.
Genre is the type or kind of writing, similar to how there’s different types of music.

Both of these two writing pieces have one genre. However, they are slightly different. “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage Why Same-sex Marriage Is An an American Value” is an essay which tries to persuade the audience with its argument. On the other hand, “Prop 8 Hurt My Family - Ask Me How” is a report introduction that gives the audience a summary of how Prop 8 causes problems. It is more informative. However, it is also personal, considering all the stories that it included. Genre is very noticeably distinguishable in these two piece of writing just as apparent how stance greatly played a role in these two

writings.
Stance is the attitude or tone that the author shows in the writing. Stance had heavily influenced these two pieces. Olsen had heavy stance in his essay. He seemed unfazed by the arguments that are thrown at him. He remains calm through his words and does not jump the gun, attacking the other side of the argument. Also, he is determined to break down the myth of same sex marriage. On the other hand, Marriage Equality USA seems to be desperate for others to see their point of view and argument. As Marriage Equality USA had said “we hope California lives up to our ideals.....” (71), they used first person to speak about the topic, making the report personal. Stance played a big role in these two papers. Even though stance was heavily apparent in these two writings, there was not that many media and design in the writings.