WEEK 4, COLUMN 4
Speaker:
Daum begins her writing by saying, "Its new euthanasia law just might spark a much-needed conversation in the death-squeamish U.S." Daum informs the audience of a new law being passed allowing terminally ill children to request aid in dying. She explains this through examples of other world countries, and countries (specifically the United States of America) who are slowly introducing the idea.
Occasion:
Daum chooses to write about this topic because of how controversial it can become. As children suffering pain, we want what is best for them. Society often ridicules the input of children due to immaturity and lack of experience. What society fails to realize is that children do have a mind of their own, and sometimes adults do not know what is best for them. In the situation of dying children who will experience morbid pain for the rest of their lives, the adults would not want them to suffer, but also, they would not want to give up too easily and "pull the plug." Her reason for this topic and writing it the way she did thoroughly explains the needed point of view from different countries. The actions different countries are currently taking can imprint on us as a whole. Daum's piece actively keeps the audience thinking of the dilemma.
Audience:
Daum focuses on an audience who has interest in the political world and is always engaged in foreign news. Daum also writes to figures who debate on moral and the logical solution to the law.
Purpose:
Daum focuses on informing her audience on how the situation works, the factors, and possible effects that come into play. The law and potential ideas are branching off to different countries, and may be a concern to the USA in the future. It is gradually becoming a Nation wide topic, slowly being introduced state by state at the moment.
Subject:
The subject of this article is the new law of allowing terminally ill children to request aid in dying. She gives evidence of the law, real world situations, and possible outcomes of it spreading to different countries.
Tone:
Unlike Daum's usual approach of being light-hearted and casual in her articles, she has a more firm and informational tone through out this piece.