Evaluate an Argument – “The Boston Photographs” – Images of Death and Dying.
Preparation
Review “The Boston Photographs”Links to an external site. by Nora Ephron. Discover at least three biographical details about the author. Note: Click on the link and scroll down to see the Ephron article. Ignore the first few paragraphs.
Instructions
Ephron thinks it would be a good thing if more photographs of death and dying were published by newspapers. In a 2-3 page essay, summarize her reasons and evaluate them. Do you agree with Ephron? If so why? Do you disagree? If so, why? Use specific examples to support your opinion.
Suggested Essay Outline
Introduce the author, the essay title, the purpose of the essay, and your overall evaluation stated as a single thesis statement. Example: “Ephron fails to present effective reasons for publishing more death and dying photographs in newspapers.”
State each of her reasons for publishing more death images in newspapers and include your evaluation of each reason.
Restate the thesis (using different words), suggest other ways to make the public aware of death and dying.
The argument in favor of publishing these photographs is that they depict a newsworthy event that has important public interest. The photographs document the reality of death and dying in a way that words cannot, and they provide a visceral and emotional impact that can help to raise awareness about important issues such as fire safety.
Furthermore, the argu
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On the other hand, opponents of the publication of these photographs argue that they are exploitative and insensitive to the families of the victims. They argue that the photographs reduce the victims to mere objects and violate their privacy and dignity in death.
Moreover, some argue that the photographs may traumatize viewers, especially those who have experienced similar tragedies, and that they may cause unnecessary distress and pain.
In conclusion, the debate about the publication of “The Boston Photographs” revolves around the tension between the public’s right to know and the respect for the dignity and privacy of the deceased. While the publication of these photographs may have had important public interest, it is important to consider the potential harm that may result from the publication, especially to the families of the victims and those who may be traumatized by the images.