Composition

Daniel Magruder’s article “My Best Friend Died by Suicide. I Wish I Had Seen the Warning Signs” has a headline which stirs the readers’ interest. The headline immediately reveals an important topic of the article – “suicide” – and promises to present the causes that led to this tragic event – “the warning signs”. The words “my best friend” suggest Magruder’s personal involvement in the events and also hint at his subjectivity. 

The sub-heading “Neil was the toughest guy I knew in the Air Force. But no one taught us how to cope with PTSD” sets the tone of the article and shows that it will be written from a personal standpoint. This also explains the context and main topic of the article – PTSD among military personnel – and reveals that Magruder was also in the military. The description of Neil Landsberg as “the toughest guy” highlights that PTSD can affect anyone. Rea...