Michael Moore, a well acclaimed director and producer, threw himself at the American public in search for a possible answer to why the United States has a higher violence with guns. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Moore was slightly more attached to this documentary than perhaps other film producers. His emotional connection to this topic is from Flint, Michigan where a little girl was killed at an elementary school by a boy her ago who found a gun and used it as a weapon. Moore's emotional tie and perseverance is a great strategy to persuade the audience. Emotionally tying the tragic events to the use of gun control was displayed when Moore went to Charlton Heston's home to question him about his view on gun control in relation to recent shootings. Heston was passive and non committal in the questions asked and was protecting his right to bear arms at all times. Displaying this rhetorical strategy of pathos generates an argument of persuasion throughout the documentary.
Another strategy used by Michael Moore is the use of sarcasm. The film is quite funny and filled with laughable moments. Moore interviews real people to get their reactions and it connects with the audience at a perspective most relevant. Moore phrases his questions in a dramatic way so that when they interviewer answers truthfully, it seems unrealistic yet honest. He uses fallacies and stereotypes to ask questions referring to his aim at argument.
Moore was unsuccessful at arguing the right to bear arms in this documentary. He didn't convince people that it was wrong or that it needed to be changed. I do agree that he raised awareness to the 2nd amendment and got the audience thinking about the future. Going to a neighboring country, Canada, Moore was able to provide proof of our problem related to nearby governments. Raising this issue and being aware of this flaw in our American culture is much needed. I applaud Michael Moore in his success to do just that. His use of strategies relating to his expertise in filming allowed for the audience to engage in this documentary to turn around our nation's culture regarding gun control.
