Topic
In her article “Why I Picked Up a Gun”, writer Tiffany Hyatt focuses on two main topics: her personal story and why women should carry guns for protection.
While these are the underlying themes of the article, note that the writer also touches upon topics like violence against women, self-defense tactics, safe gun use, and the Second Amendment to the US Constitut…
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Tiffany Hyatt’s personal story
In her article, Hyatt tells her personal story of how she became an advocate for gun use for self-defense.
She begins the text by sharing a memory: “In the fall of 2001 I remember driving home and passing a beautiful little house surrounded by crime scene tape. (…) Little did I know then, but the Baton Rouge Serial Killer had just left his first calling card.” (ll. 1-7)
She further explains that, after that day, her home city of Baton Rouge became a dangerous place: Women were abducted, stalked, and brutally murdered. The writer herself was a victim: “one woman was raped and beaten by men who actually are commissioned police offi…
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Women and carrying guns for protection
In her article, Hyatt also explains why she thinks women should carry guns for their protection.
Owning a gun is a constitutional right that she argues women should take advantage of: “Arming yourself is your constitutional right” (ll. 73-74). Hyatt believes women can benefit from owning a gun, because “owning a gun can give you an advantage over an assailant that most women would not have without it.” (ll. 49-51)
A reason for learning how to use a gun for self-defense is the reality in which women live, in which they are not always protected, even t…
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Argumentation
Most of Tiffany Hyatt’s article is characterized by direct argumentation, as Hyatt generally expresses her beliefs in a straightforward manner and provides explanations for her statements. In what follows, you can read a few examples of direct argumentation.
The writer explains why she carries a gun: “Being a victim of an assault, combined with the mysterious killings, made me realize that my only recourse was to carry a gun and be prepared at all times.” (ll. 20-23)
Furthermore, she thinks carrying a gun could be a solution for other women as well and clearly states her goals in this matter: “As a survivor, I now encourage and promote women to train and educate themselves as armed members of the community in the hope of preventing more stories like my own.” (ll. 30-33)
She justifies her beliefs with her motto, which suggests a gun is useful to have just in c…
