The passage uses syntax, diction, and figurative language to convey to the reader a sense of shock, loss, and regret. The syntax defines the pace of the passage, beginning with complex sentence structure. It then switches to long, run-on sentences, eventually settling on shorter, simpler sentence structure to suggest a sense of shock and stupefication to the reader. The frank, graphic diction also enhances the pathos of the essay, horrifying and shocking the reader. Figurative language such as imagery also enhances the feeling of loss and regret by comparing the actions in the boxing ring to the life-and-death struggle of a rodent-or even worse, to a vegetable, defenseless even as its head is smashed in. The syntax of the passage contributes greatly to the readers shock because of the way it manipulates time. The syntax first begins to shift at the outset of the fight, alternating between long and short sentence structure to enhance the feeling of speed and intensity. However, when Paret “got trapped in a corner”, the sentence structure becomes longer, including many fragments in one sentence to accentuate the slowness of the event-almost as if time is stopped entirely. Paret’s death is then recounted using short, fragmented sentence structure in order to provide stark contrast to the previous paragraph-to symbolize the transition from the fight for survival toward death. The sentence structure also conveys the shock of the situation with short, simple sentences. Diction is used to draw emotion from the reader. The passage uses words such as “maulings” to not only demonstrate the dangers of boxing, but also to trigger an emotional response from the reader; dogs maul, people do not. In this sense, the visceral and graphic diction cause the reader to become more emotionally involved with the passage. Loaded words such as “hindquarters”, and animals