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Justin Sye
Dr. Wynne
January 31, 2016
English 102
The Depiction of a Serial Killer
Brutal, psychotic, frightening, outrageous. These words would describe the
mind, scene, and characteristics of serial killer. Entering the dark and twisted mind,
serial killers are people who murder three or more people usually caused by
abnormal psychological gratification. Into this deep crazy situation serial killers are
often to commit multiple murders within the same month with a short break in
between each crime. The genres that I will be analyzing will be typography and
oral, which will give similar information communicated in different ways. While serial
killers are a very scary thing to think about, their mind is what alters their approach
to make them do such crazy things. Continuous murders, countless deaths, and the
fatality of the people will lead to more rage and anger for serial killers. Digging
deeper into the mind and analyzing the thoughts of those who are serial killers will
give us a better feel about what serial killers are all about.
Many different types of resources are available to learn about the crazy
psychotic mind of a serial killer. Both genres presented information in a different
way but, the overall message was to inform about serial killers which was clearly
evident. Digging deeper into the psychotic mind, analyzing two types of genres in
typography and oral allowed me to dissect the mind and to get a more visual image
of the situation. In the article written by Berit Brogaard D.M. Sci., Ph.D, she analyzes
the life and mind of a serial killer and how they are created. Brogaard uses several
studies to support her claim, by Minnesota Professor of Psychology Thomas Joseph

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Bouchard, Jr. In the song written by world-renown punk artist Ozzy Osbourne, he
indicates the path of a serial killer and such fatal scene that it is once it has
happened. Through both genres you can see such negative images of serial killers
and the effects that they have on the rest of the people, whether it be the from
song or article.
The intended audience for the article is for older age groups who can
understand the mind of the psychopaths or psychotic people. Those who are
reading the will understand a scientific study that will give the audience a deeper
understanding of the mind. The main purpose of the article is to inform those who
are uninformed of those who commit such action. The audience will be informed of
how upbringings, genetics, DNA, and past experiences will affect the mind of those
who do it. For those who prefer to obtain information in a written and informational
sense, the article The Making of a Serial Killer rather than a song. Depending on
the person the information will be interpreted in a way that it is presented and the
audience will fully comprehend what the author is trying to get across.
In comparison to the article, the song Bloodbath in Paradise will be
interpreted in a different way because someone is saying the information in a loud
and negative way. But in this particular song Ozzys loud, provocative, and
discretely explicit words will give the audience a more frightening feel. Oral genres
are easier to be heard and can be easier to access for those who like to comprehend
information in a lyrical form. In this particular instance the audience will actually
hear the information being presented to them rather than the audience having to
read the given information. By using this type of genre rather than typography,
each audience member will take five minutes to listen to the song and break it
down. After listening, Ozzys creepy sounds and explicit image will give listeners a

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clear image of the life of a serial killer and the scene once the crime has been
committed.
In choosing my genres one type that stuck out to me was typography.
Typography is a type of genre that consist of books/textbooks, magazines,
newspapers, and websites. The newspaper article The Making of a Serial Killer by
Berit Brogaard depicts the mind of someone who is about to become a serial killer. A
quote that was made in the beginning by the author caught my attention; it states
I dont feel guilty for anything. I feel sorry for people who feel guilt. Brogaard
supported this statement by declaring that it summarizes the main traits of a
psychopath. Psychopathy is shown to be sixty percent heritable, and is more likely
to come from DNA then the type of upbringing you were put through. Several
researchers state that while DNA is a main factor into psychopathy, social factors
also play a huge role into generating psychopathy. Neglect and early childhood
abuse can lead to PTSD as well as phobias but, serial killers may not have to have a
bad childhood in order for them to act in the way they do. Psychotics and
Psychopaths are very similar but also can be very different, but the overall concept
remains to be the same. Each trait of a serial killer will cause negative effects and
will entice them to do negative things.
In this typography, appeals from logos, ethos, and pathos were evident in this
newspaper article. Ethos is known as an appeal to ethics which was commonly used
in this text. Ethos was being used when the author describes the characteristics of a
psychopath in comparison to one of a psychotic. While characteristics may be
different, the ethical view is the type of character that is being discussed from the
author. An appeal to emotion, otherwise known as pathos was also used during this
text. Brogaard discusses how a poor upbringing for a child can add to the causes of

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becoming psychologically impaired. This will make readers feel bad for those who
have dealt with bad experiences in the early stages of life. Lastly, logos were being
used as a logical appeal. Logos was being used when the author gave information
on a study and informed authors of what research was conducted on the details
about psychopaths as well as psychotics. Brogaard supports her claim by using The
Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, which was a study conducted by Professor
Thomas Joseph Bouchard, Jr. which showed that sixty percent of psychopathy comes
from hereditary. The author uses a supported study that will support the
characteristics about the psychopathy stereotypes. She also discusses a study that
was held at the University of Wisconsin, in which brain scans revealed that
psychopathy in criminals was related to a decrease in connectivity with the
amygdala. All three were used in different approaches for the typography genre
which was depicted by a newspaper.
Along with typography, oral genre was also used in the form of song. A song
written by Ozzy Osbourne, title Bloodbath In Paradise gave listeners a thrilling and
frightening feeling of what happens in the scene of a murder. In the loud, disruptive,
and chaotic music you get suspenseful and adventurous feel. In the lyrics of the
song in each line an image from a serial killers post scene is left in my head. As he
sates As you lie bleeding, murdered in your bed, it makes my body quiver to even
imagine such brutal acts and to think why someone would even want to do that.
Lyrics like But theres nowhere you can run to baby or Execution halts form your
breath makes me take a second to visualize the scene. The song analyzes serial
killers and gives a deeper understanding of the scene that will be held from the
crime scene or what occurs during.

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Logos, pathos, and ethos were also present during this type of genre. While
song lyrics offer a different type of delivery they still can give the reader all three
appeals. Ethos appeal is when Osbourne states If youre alone, then watch what
you do, Cause Charlie and the family might get you. The reference by Osbourne is
about a worldly known criminal Charles Manson who committed a serioes on nine
murders in four locations. This is an ethical appeal because he is trying to state how
the family of Charlie will get those who are alone. While ethics is shown, a logical
appeal from Bloodbath in Paradise is shown as well. As you lie bleeding, murdered
in your bed, Ozzie states in the closing of the song is showing an appeal to logos.
This is a logical appeal because it is a statement with deductive reasoning that will
makes it way to the end result of a serial killer which is death. While this song is
very loud and punk and can be very creepy and frightening, it gives its audience an
emotional appeal as well. When he says No sign of life or the keepers of doom he
is trying to give the audience a sense of hopelessness and making them think they
will be lifeless. This will make the audience be scared, frightened, and even shook to
be alone. Osbourne gets his message across by being very descriptive and explicit
while using different appeals to get his appoint across.
The Making of a Serial Killer is a well-developed, organized, and structured
article. While reading the article it is easy to understand what is trying to be said by
the author. Berit Brogaard is delivering the information in a way that all audiences
will understand specifically those who are of older age grouped. She is well
organized by giving claims that will be followed by examples that will show in real
world scenarios and can be supported with her two studies. The studies that were
discussed in the article were described in such detail that all readers would be able
to comprehend better than normal. While her article was not extremely long,

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extensive information and details about the topic at hand combats the lack of
length for the audience. If more information about serial killer is wanted you can
look into the study that was discussed at Minnesota and Wisconsin which will give
you an extensive look at each study.
While looking at the differences at both genres, the song presents a
completely different structure in comparison to the typography article. While
Brogaard gives references in a study, Ozzys approach was slightly difference. Even
though the information can be heard in a much shorter way listeners arent allotted
as much time to comprehend the information as they would an article. Limitations
could be that no statistical study could be shown; only a loud and scary scene can
just be put in ones head. The song shouldve been more detailed about the mind of
such an insane person rather than just the scene that is left. The organization of this
song will allow the audience to continuously listen to the song over and over again
until you full grasp the concept that it is trying to give off. It may be hard to
understand everything at once but after repeating the song several times you would
get the point that is trying to be conveyed. The song may not give full detail on the
topic so extensive research may be necessary if you want more information. You
may also be able to listen to other songs to hear more about serial killers if this one
song in particular was not good enough.
Looking back at both genres, typography and oral genres both are different
but both convey the same information just portrayed in a different way. Information
will be just received in a different way and interpreted by the audience. Genres can
also use methods such as ethos, pathos, and logos to get their point across to the
author. I believe that the typography genre was more effective in getting
information across. It gave more information and was supported rather than a

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hardcore song that discusses the fatal scene left over. Serial killers can be portrayed
by both genres in an informational sense and in a lyrical sense by both oral and
typography. After deeper analysis of serial killers by both genres, I know have a
deeper understanding on the mind of a serial killer through informational reading
and a visual of the scene from a song.

Works Cited
Brogaard, Berit. "The Making of a Serial Killer." Psychology Today. N.p., n.d.
Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
Ozzy Osbourne. Bloodbath in Paradise. Septmeber 28, 1998. CD.