Argumentative Essay On Apologia

I am sorry. I know what I did was wrong. What they are saying about me is true. These are just some examples of what many celebrities, athletes, and government officials say to the public when they have done something wrong and are trying to fix their image. By confessing to ones wrong doings and actions they are responding by using Apologia. According to Wahl, “Apologia is a character-based defense whose success largely depends on the persona of the spokesperson and is compromised of denial, counterattack, differentiation, apology, and legal strategies…in Apologia, organizations typically have no choice other than to apologize and claim that they regret the incident’s occurrence.” (Wahl, p.171, 2013). An example of someone who used Apologia …show more content…
I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure it doesn’t happen again” (Busbee, 2009). In this statement he uses mortification by accepting responsibility of his actions and confesses. (Wahl, 2014). Woods then goes on and states, “This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible” (Busbee, 2009). When Woods says this he is using Nonexistence. He uses denial by stating that there are many rumors that are not true. He also attacks the accuser and tries to reduce the offensiveness (Wahl, …show more content…
My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false” (Busbee, 2009). According to a journal article written by Joseph Mazer, states that, “an individual who is accused of a wrongdoing may attempt to reduce the degree to which an audience feels contempt toward the individual” (Mazer, 2013). By saying this he is trying to reduce the offensiveness, by stating that his wife was the first person to help him. He is trying to maximize the good deeds that his wife did to help him out (Wahl, 2014). Finally he states, “This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be” (Busbee, 2009). In his first statement he is trying to show suffering and that by his actions and infidelity he has cause pain to himself and his family. By stating that he appreciates the concern and well wishes that he receives, he is trying to show that people are there for him and care, and that it is all not just hate. Ending the letter with, my family and I deserve some privacy, is trying to shut down the media and minimize the spotlight. In this letter Woods did a good job in using Apologia and trying to make the