HEndrix DRhetorical Analasyis Final PDF

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Summary

Write a 750-1,000-word rhetorical analysis essay of a public document. This public document is the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html. Your analysis should include at least TWO scholarly s...

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D’Andre Hendrix ENG-105 1-13-2019 Virgil Mathes

Rhetorical Appeals of the CDC People in today’s world are often very optioned and receptive to information. They have different beliefs and views on various topics. Because of these different views an author must be able draw in their audience by relaying facts and information in a way that persuades them to be open to accept the information that is being delivered to them. Aristotle talked about three tools known as ethos, pathos and logos, these three tools are known as the modes of persuasion. ("Examples of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos," 2018) This analysis will identify the ways in which the CDCs website on ADHD used ethos, logos, and pathos to explain and inform what AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) is, what signs or symptoms a person diagnosed with ADHD may have, and also how to see to get a medical diagnosis of AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity disorder. To properly persuade an audience an author must know who that audience is and what moves or persuades them. In the case of the CDC their target audience are generally going to be parents or loved ones who may have someone who has been recently diagnosed or showing signs and symptoms of ADHD. This diagnosis is a very controversial diagnosis, many individuals namely one notable psychologist by the name of Jerome Kagan thinks ADHD is a fraud.

2 (Novella, 2017). To change the mind of an audience the CDC must use some very good rhetoric’s to change the perception of ADHD that has been set out. The first rhetoric the CDC uses is ethos which is the appeal that focuses on the writer’s credibility and trust worthiness. (Varpio,2018) The CDC’s website provides a great deal of information on ADHD. Not only do they provide information they provide links and references to all their different studies and research that have done on ADHD. In linking and providing access to their research it proves that the CDC studied the topic and have proof of their data and findings. They also included a symptoms and diagnosis section that basically goes over all the symptoms and signs of ADHD. They discuss how health professionals come to a diagnosis of ADHD. While the CDC article lays out the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD they take a moment to note that the information being provided is in shortened form and only trained health care providers can diagnose or treat ADHD. Providing a symptoms section is how the CDC demonstrates pathos which is the second tool in the modes of persuasion that uses an argument drawn out through an emotional response. ("Pathos - Examples and Definition of Pathos," 2018). To appeal to the emotions of individuals, the CDC has introduced signs or symptoms that a child or parent may now be dealing with. This may ease some fears or guilt that a parent may have. Many parents have guilt or fears of being bad parents. By presenting those signs and symptoms it eases their minds that they have done okay as a parent and there is an underlying cause to these behaviors. being displayed. By letting the parents know that ADHD is a neurological disorder this may elevate many these emotions.

When it comes to using logic, also known as the last rhetorical appeal logos. The CDC urges parents to seek treatment or a diagnosis from licensed health care provider. This is because

3 without treatment many children will go untreated and may have issues hitting certain development milestones. This can also lead to problems in school and serious behavior problems. These problems sometimes carry over into adult hood. ADHD often occurs with other disorders in two out of three children. Because of these other disorders being present other challenge may arise for the children, parents, and health care providers. That’s why it is important to have individuals who are now experiencing these signs screened so that an effective treatment plan can be put in place. In all the CDC demonstrates the three modes of persuasion very well. They were able to relay the information on ADHD while keeping their credibility intact. They were all able to appeal to their audience emotions by easing any fears they may have about being bad parents. The CDC were also able to logically explain why parents must seek treatment for their children. To have an effective argument one must remember to use Aristotle’s modes of persuasion ethos, pathos, and logos.

4 References

Examples of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. (2018, November 5). Retrieved from https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-ethos-logos-and-pathos.html Novella, S. (2017, March 1). The ADHD Controversy. Retrieved from https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-adhd-controversy/ Pathos - Examples and Definition of Pathos. (2018, November 1). Retrieved from https://literarydevices.net/pathos/ Various, L. (2018). Using rhetorical appeals to credibility, logic, and emotions to increase your persuasiveness. Perspectives on Medical Education, 7(3), 207-210. Basic Information About ADHD. (2018, December 20). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html...