Surgeries can be a controversial topic and often shunned if the patient is not at risk of losing their life. In the written argument, “The ‘Unnatural’ Ashley Treatment Can Be Right for Profoundly Disabled Children,” Peter Singer uses elements of argumentation to professionally back up his statements on the operation. The word argument is used, “to represent forms of discourse that attempt to persuade readers or listeners to accept a position on a controversial issue” (Rottenberg and Winchell 5). To do this not only does he use Aristotelian rhetoric, Rogerian argument, and the Toulmin method to provide a strong case, but also claims of fact and policy. This creates an argument that will tug at the heartstrings while using credible and logical …show more content…
Before he even begins his argument, he provides a strong reliable background by being a professor of bioethics which studies the ethics of medical and biological research. This gives him a much more trustworthy statement because it shows us readers that he knows what he is talking about and it backs up his arguments since many are emotionally based. First, since he is knowledgeable of this topic, he describes the procedures being done with more detail by stating that, “the uterus removal was intended to spare her discomfort of menstrual cramps; the surgery to prevent the development of breasts aimed to make her more comfortable when she is laying down or had a strap across her chest in her wheelchair” (Singer 23). By explaining all of this he is providing an even more stable and credible background because it shows he is educated on the topic, since he explains what he is articulating about. He starts off his assessment using a claim of fact stating, “five years ago, the parents of a profoundly intellectually disabled girl...known only as Ashley, told the world about a controversial treatment they were using on their child” (Singer 22). This provides a background story of how it all came to be if you were unsure of the information that was about to be told. He then continues on to establish the use of pathos by explaining how, “she was unable to walk, talk, hold a toy, or …show more content…
When this is used, one must provide a claim for their statement, support it, and then present a warrant, “the warrant is a kind of inference or assumptions which establishes the connection or relevancy between the support part and the claim part” (Argumentation para. 9). His claim here would be that the Ashley treatment should be allowed to be performed on patients because, “there seem to be no grounds for holding the opinion that the treatment was not in Ashley’s best interests,” and in fact it has, “enabled [many] children to live happier lives” (Singer 23). If an operation is allowing a child to live a better life than they normally would not be able to, then Singer is on their side and wants them to be able to live comfortably. His support is the effect it has on their families and how it allows them to, “lift and move them, so that they can care for them at home” (Singer 23). When looking at the positives and negatives of this procedure, he displays how this treatment greatly assists families and it is not being used in cases other than these. This is also use of logos, or logic, because he wants you to think for yourself and realize that nothing is wrong with using this treatment on those who would greatly benefit from it. His warrant is his agreement that a procedure like this should be approved by a doctor and, “used only on the most profoundly intellectually disabled patients” (Singer 23).
Ethos is credibility of the author that he mentions and says in the analysis. The author knows as judge Hasleton, uses quotes from medical trained doctors, and parents of victims, and also his knowledge of the laws to help support his claim. The doctors went on for a couple quotes saying that “someday be able to be released into the community with safeguards, including requirements that he see a psychiatrist regularly, be tracked by use of a monitoring bracelet, attend support groups, and have his blood and urine monitored to determine whether he was receiving the appropriate amounts of medication.” (Bolstad, 2002). Judge Haselton then used his own knowledge of the Constitution of Oregon to back up the court’s decision, stating that it was constitutional because the length of the sentence could not be challenged, only the constitution of the punishment itself.
Utilizing all three rhetorical devices including ethos, logos, and pathos, helped Alexie build a powerfully persuasive argument. I feel the combination of the three devices proved Alexie’s article was valid, credible, logical, and reasonable; yet emotional. As the reader, my attention stayed through the essay. I wanted to know what happened next and how his story ended. I also agree with Alexie’s argument that by reading and through hard work you can save your life.
Jay Heinrichs unveils the hidden truths that we often overlook, in Thank You For Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach us About the Art of Persuasion, allowing you to liberate your mind to the wonders our rhetorical world offers. This informative piece works on reintroducing the 3,000 year old art throughout the nation- being taught in elite schools. From the witty, realistic scenarios he presents, we are able to visualize the hundreds of rhetoric tools that date back to Cicero and Aristotle. By providing examples from personal experiences, political figures, celebrities, and even hypothetical situations we could encounter- we are allowed to truly see how persuasion is and can be implemented into everyday life. Heinrichs
In the article “Physician-Assisted Death in the United States: Are the Existing “Last Resorts” Enough?” Timothy Quill, advocated for PAD writes, “Patients who are worried about future suffering and wonder what options would be available to them”(20). One example is, people who undergo surgery for various reasons. Everyone knows that there are risks associated with any surgery and there are those who want to know what options are available to them should they become incapacitated in any way. In the article “The Final Decision; Quadriplegic MP Stevenson Fletcher Champions Physician-Assisted Death”, author Andrew Duffy describes how a young man named Steven Fletcher felt after a car accident left him unable to paralyzed from the neck down.
According to the Toulmin Model of Argumentation, Christopher M. Fairman has constructed a strong persuasive piece on the case against banning the word retard. The components of the Toulmin Model of Argumentation that will be evaluated to determine the degree to which the argument was successful are the claim, data, warrant, and backing. To begin a synopsis will be provided about the article. Fairman’s main argument of the article is that the word retard should not be banned due to the many negative repercussions of the action. He starts the article stating he would not be making the pledge at www.r-word.org to eliminate the word from his everyday speech.
In “Roe v. Wade-- Abortion Won the Day, But Sooner or Later That Day Will End,” by Frederica Matthew-Green, the author describes how abortion is changing the way society values human life. The writer goes on to explain that at the time abortion was being legalized, they could not comprehend how high the rate of abortions would go up, from the perspective that it would be a last resort measure. She claims that once abortion is made an option, it then becomes the most convenient choice that could be made in that situation, rather than parenting or adoption. In the article, Frederica Matthew-Green goes on to refute the argument that life does not begin at conception, by describing how the zygote is formed. The writer made the connection between abortion and death very clear, saying, “How could I think it was wrong to execute homicidal criminals, wrong to shoot enemies in wartime, but all right to kill our own sons and daughters?”
Within the Deaf Culture movement, there is ongoing controversy on whether or not a child should have their “deafness” surgically removed. Cochlear implant surgery is an ever progressing technological advancement, and while many parents of Deaf children oppose this surgery, there is talk of sueing those parents who deny cochlear implants for children that are appropriate candidates for the surgery. Throughout Adam B. Zimmerman’s “Do You Hear the People Sing? Balancing Parental Authority and a Child’s Right to Thrive: The Cochlear Implant Debate,” this issue of legally overriding parental authority is examined with the use of scholarly language and credibility as a writer for the “Journal of Health & Biomedical Sciences”, as well as various forms
The moment has finally come where Jane had undergone twenty-seven hours of labor and had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. An awe-struck Jack was trying to keep his Bambi-like legs from giving out on him as he was still digesting the events that had transpired in front of him. After several minutes, Dr. Mike walked in to check on the new parents. “Are you guys going to have him circumcised?”. Circumcision is one of the most common procedures in any hospital and one of the most controversial decisions parents make.
The Ashley X case is a very emotional one for anyone who has followed it. After reading through both articles, I have concluded they both are in fact, an inductive reasoning. Ashley’s dignity and what is best for her was the main arguments in both articles. No medical facts stating that keeping her body in a childlike state would be best for her. It’s basically opinion related.
The Toulmin method is an effective tool that helps determine the efficacy of an argument by using this method the author’s argumentative strategies are evaluated to determine their strength. This essay will use the Toulmin method in order to assess the strength of James E. McWilliams’ argument. The Toulmin method will break down the author’s argument into components—the claim, evidence, warrant, qualifiers, and rebuttal. Through using the Toulmin method, Williams’ argument and the components of his argument will be dissected and individually analyzed to determine each component’s effectiveness and how it contributes to the overall power and credibility of Williams’ argument.
In order to effectively develop an argument, one must use a variety of strategies in order to persuade their audience. These strategies could be things like new forms of syntax, various rhetorical strategies, or even just fancy language. This debate in particular is about whether or not the United States should support a universal health care plan. One side believes that universal healthcare plan will benefit Americans overall because many individuals cannot afford Healthcare. On the other hand, people believe that America is not ready to take on all the responsibility of upholding healthcare for every citizen.
Pathos is a rhetorical device used for providing emotion to the reader. He wants the reader to feel sympathetic towards the mistreatment of African-Americans. In the introduction, the first rhetorical device he introduced is pathos. Coates present pathos when he introduced Clyde Ross. He titles the first chapter as, “So that’s just one of my losses”.
Arguments happen everyday in history and now a days. Weather the arguments come from speeches, debates, body language, or even a paper; they contribute to everyday life. These arguments can happen by audio or visual rhetorics which help to strengthen the argument and its purpose. Both Daniel H. Cohen and FDR use great rhetorics in their speeches, ethos and pathos, while keeping in mind the audiences they are speaking to. These two men both had a purpose in their speeches, weather it to argue the importance and ways of argument winning, or the future of the country.
Abortion remains one of the most controversial issues in our society today. Pro-life supporters are those who are against abortion and who believe abortion is in all cases wrong. Pro-choice supporters are those who are in favor of abortion and who believes that whatever a woman does with her body is her choice. Patricia Bauer and Don Marquis are both scholars who wrote in depth articles explaining their views on abortion in an effort to spur their audience into action. Even though the both share same views, they use different and strong rhetorical strategies, mainly logos, ethos, and pathos, to get their message across their audience and to show the effectiveness and seriousness of their arguments.
In the article, “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia, he states that the decline of interest in literature—especially from young teens—will have a negative outcome in society. Notably, he informs the readers by utilizing strong vocabulary, as well as rhetorical appeals to persuade his audience that the decline in reading will have a negative outcome. This allows readers to comprehend his views and join his side of the argument. Gioia’s word choice assists in showing the magnitude of the text by stressing the meaning and importance of his argument.