Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies in "Gene Map Becomes A Luxury Item"

Below I will be providing detailed answers to questions posted using the descriptions of rhetorical strategies found on pages 181-184 in the Student's Guide regarding my text. 

Kennerly, David H. "Carter and Ford In A Debate"
September 23, 1976. Public Domain

Appeals to Credibility and Character (Ethos)

• Which Items Found on page 182 can you Recognize in your Text?

 The author consistently uses tone management, word choice, counter examples in order to provide substance to her argument. 

• How and why would the author use these strategies?

The author uses word choice or diction in order to create an educated atmosphere around her issue. The words she consistently uses are more academic and cultured- adding a more serious/ intellectual tone to her overall work. Since the issue deals wit a more intellectual issue, the author uses medical terminology and statistical analysis vocabulary.

Tone is also employed in order to stress the importance of the issue but also keep the article balanced and controlled. Instead to attacking the wealthier social groups for their apparent "luxury" the author instead sheds light on the reasons why gene mapping is currently available to well off persons. 

The author also uses counter argumentation and counter examples in order to justify and substantiate her position. While she does present her position initially on the issue and provides reasoning behind her pro-mapping views, she also presents what the opposition may say to counter her claim. But in doing so, allows her to pick apart possible opponents arguments to better her argument.

• How do these strategies affect the author's credibility?  

The diction and tone strengthen the overall quality argument, therefore giving the article credibility. The title gives the reader a general idea of what the piece will address as well as the introduction- which acts a hook for the audience- and the remaining word choice centers more around keeping the credibility of the piece especially as it refer to medical technology.

• How do these strategies impact the effectiveness of the message? 

The strategies are specifically designed to prop her main argument. The author uses more argumentative tones when directly addressing the issue that there exists a tend among the wealthier class of individuals to spend a significant sum in order to map their entire genome sequence. The author also denotes using more medical based diction  that this medical test is usually available only to those well off, since governments tend not to subsidize the treatment for the general masses. 

• Does the author have any bias that might affect her credibility?

Aside from her association with the New York Times- a widely known left leaning news paper association- there does seem to be any animosity or dislike for the individuals under question. While she does note that a large body of wealthy individuals are purchasing genome sequencing technology studies for personal use, she does not chastise them for it. 

Appeals to Emotion (Pathos)  

• Which items on page 182-183 appear in my text? 

The author uses words or phrases that are more statistical or research oriented rather than emotionally loaded. The only word that she does repeat that has a secondary/ more emotional meaning would be "elitism" as it has political connotation. 

• What emotional responses is the author attempting to create? 

As stated above, the author uses words or phrases that are more statistical or research oriented rather than emotionally loaded. The only word that she does repeat that has a secondary/ more emotional meaning would be "elitism" as it has political connotation- either far right or far left. Otherwise, she may be using the term luxury to instill a form of jealousy in her readers, and may use the term to portray the wealth you uses such medical programs as over extravagant. 

• What is the actual result?   

As a reader, I was not as deeply impacted by the shocking statistics that where presented, mostly because of the author's presentation of the facts. She didn't want to incite a rebellion or any major political shift, she was merely presenting the growth in availability of genome technology and theorizing that eventually such medical tech will become common place in hospitals.

• Are these emotions effective for this particular situation?

The author uses words or phrases that are more statistical or research oriented rather than emotionally loaded.The emotions that are present are merely opinion blurbs, having no real impact in the overall story. By keeping unbiased the author adds credibility to the piece and makes the statistics more memorable/effective in supporting her claims. 

• How do these emotional appeals affect her credibility?

Lack of definitive emotions actually adds to her credibility. Instead of berating the wealthy for spending their wealth on such medical programs, she instead uses the trend to theorize the future of the medical practice and societies future in terms of healthcare. In fact her choice of words merely adds credibility to her rather outspoken claims/predictions.

Appeals to Logic (Logos) 

• Which items on Page 183 appear in the text?

The article has an abundance of statistics, numerical data, and supported medical theories- all made credible with substantial references to sources. 

• What responses is the author attempting to make?

By using logical argumentation coupled with quantitative evidence and current research statistics, the author author is attempting to gain a wider acceptance of her claims- therefore adding credibility to herself as a writer. She presents a situation, builds upon it by presenting additional associated stats, and then presents her main claim. This claim she hopes will resonate in her readers, keeping them more informed with the future of medicine. 

• What is the actual result?  

Since the intended audience of this article is more closely aimed towards those in the healthcare field or with previous knowledge of DNA research, the result or impact of this article is fairly limited. This is especially apparent when you find the article under the Medicine tab of the New York Times, then under another tab in "technology." But statistic wise, the article is very effective as I still can recall certain data presented on the issue, and will most likely reference this article for future use, when writing about the issue.

• Are these strategies effective for this particular situation?  

The author uses her statistics in order to create a prediction regarding healthcare technology. She uses this information to debunk misconceptions; such as the idea that the wealthy are only using this technology for "genetic elitism" or for insurance purposes. But, she does use her data to theorize that the influx in this style of business will eventually fund future projects to make the technology available to the masses- comparing it to the private space travel companies. She also uses the data to concede flaws in the business noting that the practice of genetic engineering has a shady definition and past. Her statistics are the only bodies of information that add credibility to her article, otherwise it is more or less blind theorizing or imagination. 

Reflection: 

After reading the posts made by Dylan  and Jessica, I found that their exists a variation in how an author uses rhetorical strategies to add credibility to his/her article. While emotional appeals are a useful tool to rally a group of people to demand action on a certain issue, if it is read closely by a more educated or informed individual the effect is rather limited. Logos seems to be the most substantiated rhetoric device due to its undeniable facts presented. If an author truly wants the claim to resonate on all levels of  society, logical appeals and stats rally anyone capable of understanding those points. Both Jessica and Dylan pointed that trend out in their posts, as well as myself. It is clear that a presentation of data adds more of a credible tone to a piece than ethos or pathos.