Tone
In Paul Dehner Jr.'s article Burfict's surgery risky, but surgeon optimistic, he portrays an eerie tone. Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati's star linebacker decided to get a second knee surgery to help him recover from an injury. While the surgeon's hopes are high, Dehner's concerns are greater. "The surgery falls on the riskier side of knee injuries," he said. He leaves the reader with a sense of worry, and seems to fear the worst as well. The reader feels the anguish as Jr. describes the procedure: "A negative connotation surrounds micro fracture surgery. The procedure entails poking tiny holes in bones surrounding the cartilage in the knee in order to stimulate blood flow." However, later in the article the tone shifts to optimistic as he says "Burfict should return to full speed by July when training camp begins." Dehner leaves Bengals fans with a sense of hope, optimistic that their beloved linebacker will be fully healed come training camp.