Mexico Killed In Drug Deal-Article

Paragraph 1 Says: The author reports that a recent drug-related crime spread from a fight between drug cartels to a massive shoot out that resulted in the death of everyone in Mexico.

Paragraph 1 Does: The author reports in an official like fashion and is concise. There is obvious hyperbole and it is emphasized through the formality of the tone.

Paragraph 2&3 Says: An explanation of the conflict is given by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration: two rival drug cartels began a shooting due to some problems and the problem quickly spread to the rest of Mexico. The headline, all of Mexico being dead, is then stated as the consequence of these events. The DEA is then cited in reports stating that the issue was started by a couple of Los Zetas cartel members who were on their way to avenge some issues with the Sinaloa cartel. When the shooting began both cartels started firing their weapons and approximately 357 million gunshots were fired, killing all Mexicans in the crossfire.

Paragraph 2&3 Does: The author uses real references in an attempt to give the article verisimilitude. The tone is serious and official and the language is precise and brief. Again, the absurdity jumps out at the reader and the piece is reveled to be obviously sarcastic through ridiculous facts and too detailed reports.

Image Says: The image shows Mexico filled in with red (representing blood) and adds some information about events at key geographical locations.

Image Does: The image presents a clear point and supports the previous statements, and while it has no tone it is also obvious that it is satire.

Paragraph 4 Says: The figures of what people were doing when they died are presented, and it is reported that most died while driving, biking, or walking; another part while watching the events; and yet some other (a large sum actually) while on their way to avenge their now dead parents.

Paragraph 4 Does: The author uses ordinary descriptions and by inserting them into absurd context makes the entire piece even more ironical.

Paragraph 5 Says: This part of the report explains how facts were gathered, which was through the eyes of tourists that survived the event and then were confronted with millions of dead Mexicans all over the country. Then the assassination of the President, which occurred while he was on the podium declaring a state of emergency in Mexico by some drug dealers who were passing by, is announced.

Paragraph 5 Does: Through imitation, the author uses language and tone writers use in news today all the time on the topic, and makes an extraordinary event seem casual. The result is satire and obvious sarcasm.


http://www.theonion.com/articles/mexico-killed-in-drug-deal,18109/