TOW #1: "Across the Red Line" by Michael Crowley (via TIME Magazine)

     Michael Crowley is one of TIME's senior correspondents; he has been a reporter for the New York Times and The New Republic, often covering articles about domestic politics and foreign policy. He writes "Across the Red Line" to an adult audience that wishes to be up-to-date on world happenings. The article is an informational report that serves to educate readers of the current situation in Syria and how it creates problems for President Barack Obama. Crowley begins the article by discussing Obama's "foreign policy vision" of a peaceful world achieved through "mutual respect". Throughout the rest of the article, Crowley explores Syria's recent history and how the crisis may affect Obama's presidency.
     The second page of "Across the Red Line" is dominated by a map of Syria that details recent events. This uses logical appeal by presenting statistics about the problems in Syria. Chemical weapons, Crowley writes, have killed "about 30" in the March attack on Khan al-Asal and "hundreds" in that large attacks near Damascus on August 21. He also shows that there are nearly two millions in Syria's surrounding countries. These statistics give readers a sense of the great number of lives affected by Syria's civil war. This helps Crowley achieve his purpose by effectively informing his audience of the magnitude of recent Syrian catastrophes.
     Crowley repeatedly uses ethical appeal by citing statements of critics and supporters of President Obama. When discussing the Syrian predicament's effects on Obama's presidency, Crowley shows the critics' view: "...to his critics, Obama does hesitate [to use force to uphold policies], and trouble follows as a result." Crowley also presents the views of Obama's supporters: "Obama's defenders say he has done the best with a poisoned inheritance ... [and] Obama has time to find a path through the current chaos to a successful legacy abroad." By providing the opinions of both sides, Crowley effectively remains unbiased and demonstrates to readers that the situation in Syria could go either way for President Obama.
     To inform readers of the Syrian crisis and the problems it causes for President Obama, Michael Crowley appeals to logos and ethos. He successfully educates his audience of recent events in Syria by using a map with statistics, and he uses outside opinions to gives readers an unbiased view of how Obama could be affected by the situation in Syria.

"Across the Red Line":

This graphic shows the positions of Syria's chemical weapons as well as where recent attacks occurred. It also shows the current US involvement (left: Staging Area) and the refugees who have fled due to the civil war.

(Source: "Across the Red Line": TIME magazine, September 9, 2013, page 32-33)