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Persuading people effectively on personal arguments with the power of the techniques of rhetoric has been one of the most venerated human communication skills since man recognised the significance of the art of rhetoric. Rhetoric can be best understood as the art of speaking or writing effectively, and there are several elements that make effective rhetoric possible. First of all, it needs to be comprehended that the art of rhetoric means the art of persuasion and the effectiveness of this art depends greatly on techniques of the art employed. It is of great value to understand the various techniques of persuasion in order to be an effective writer or communicator. According to Aristotle, rhetoric is the ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion. He described three main forms of rhetoric: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos& Ethos is appeal based on the character of the speaker. An ethos-driven document relies on the reputation of the author& Logos is appeal based on logic or reason. Documents distributed by companies or corporations are logos-driven. Scholarly documents are also often logos-driven&Pathos is appeal based on emotion. Advertisements tend to be pathos-driven. (The Art of Rhetoric: Learning How to Use the Three Main Rhetorical Styles).
Therefore, it is on the basis of these pertinent concepts of rhetoric that the effectiveness of the art of persuasion is usually evaluated. In this paper, a critical analysis of two articles on the question of abortion is undertaken, and the articles are Four Basic Facts about Abortion by Julian Burnside, QC, and How Could Anyone Look at This Photo and Deny Its Time to Cut the Abortion Limit? by Amanda Platell. Thus, the paper involves evaluating how ethos, pathos and logos are employed in these articles and an in-depth examination of the fallacies as evident in the articles. Such an evaluation of the articles as to bring about the arguments and fallacies has great significance in the understanding of the pertinent aspects of the art of rhetoric, identifying the persuasive techniques and rhetorical proofs.
A critical analysis of the article Four Basic Facts about Abortion by Julian Burnside suggests some of the prominent aspects of good and effective rhetorical writing as well as some of the major fallacies in persuasive writing. To begin with, it is pertinent to understand that the article is concerned with the aspects of rhetoric such as ethos, pathos and logos and they are employed in varying amounts in writing. These aspects are very much evident in the article, and the article sounds very accurate in the title itself as the title clearly suggests that the article deals with the four basic facts about abortion. However, only a profound analysis of the article can throw light on whether the article has credibility or ethical appeal, which is the kind of appeal that the article arouses in the emotions of the readers and if the article is effective in persuading through the efficient use of reasoning or logic. The article opens with a seemingly clear exposition of the issue, presenting it in a very interesting manner stating the current value of the issue under discussion and identifying the topic with an emotional subject. The issue of abortion law reform is on the political agenda in Victoria again. It is an emotional subject. Some people oppose abortion; others support it. It is important to recognise that the question is whether a woman has a right to have an abortion, not whether she must have one. The debate should start with four basic facts. (Four Basic Facts about Abortion, by Julian Burnside). Thus, the article presents the four basic facts about abortion, and it must be remembered that effective and persuasive rhetoric in writing essentially includes a captivating opening in which the style of presentation matters greatly. Thus evaluated the article seemingly presents the issue effectively.
The credibility or the ethical appeal of the article depends on various aspects, and the authors style of narration has great relevance in this regard. Towards the second half of the article, the author tries to suggest certain capturing details about the issue and the opinions of people, which may be regarded as essential to the question in consideration. Thus, it is evident that the author attempts to influence the reader with his personal reflection based on his factual data. I do know from women I have spoken to that it is a profoundly difficult decision for them. It is a decision not taken lightly. It is a decision for a womans own conscience, which she should be able to make free from the imposition of others religious views and without the threat of prosecution. An overwhelming majority of women approve of legalising abortion. Many people disapprove of abortion. Those who disapprove, including many men, are very passionate in their opposition. (Four Basic Facts about Abortion, by Julian Burnside). Here, the writer tries to add credibility to the writing and thus persuade the reader to believe in the narration and its facts. However, the effect of such an attempt is not clear, and the reliability of the writers idea seems to be very vague and unclear. It is evident that the article lacks the ethos of rhetoric.
When it comes to the question of logos and pathos, it becomes evident that there are conscious attempts on the part of the author to affect these aspects of rhetoric. Thus, it is clear that the author is effective in presenting the various factors regarding the in a logical sequence. The four basic facts of abortion as they need to be emphasised are presented in the order of relevance. Therefore, it can be noted that the article states that the debate concerning whether to support or oppose abortion should start with four basic facts and these are presented in logical order. First of all, the author suggests that women have the intellectual and moral capacity to make decisions about their own fertility and reproduction. To augment this view, he adds that the right to reproductive freedom is recognised in international conventions. Next, the writer recognises that freedom of religious belief is a basic right but explains that personal religious beliefs should not govern public policy. Fourth and finally, the author presents that the law must be made clear, and the writer comes to the ultimate conclusion that, in the Australian background, there is imminence for clearly defined laws dealing with the issue. Thus, the article enjoys logos. The attempts to relate to the emotional realms of the readers also need to be considered in this regard. The article also presents certain cause and effect arguments in which the statements are clarified with the help of specified reasons are explanations. However, the article fails to persuade the readers completely due, mainly to the false dilemma and popular appeal. Even while it tries to be logical in the approach, the article often fails to expatiate the statements with logical arguments and convincing examples. Thus, the article becomes clearly a flaw in several aspects of the art of rhetoric.
Another considerable article on the same topic, How Could Anyone Look at This Photo and Deny Its Time to Cut the Abortion Limit? by Amanda Platell, also has great relevance in an understanding of the basic aspects of the art of rhetoric in writing. In fact, this article provides a better example of a good piece of writing based on the norms of persuasive writing such as ethos, pathos, and logos. The author is effective in attaining the confidence of the readers, and the several figures and facts presented throughout the article suggest the strength of the piece as they all contribute to the logos, as evident in the article. In fact, the article has been effective from the opening of it, where it arouses the attention of the readers by presenting a relatable photograph and presents the gravity of the matter through the illustrative example at the beginning of the article. The style of writing, as well as the strategy adopted in introducing the pertinent issue of abortion, wins readers. The ethos of the writing is ensured by the explication of the topic on the basis of the illustrations from the lives of the people such as Tory MP Nadine Dorries, Tory leader David Cameron and the poll results of ComRes etc. The article definitely has been effective in appealing to the reader based on the character of the speaker. The reputation of the author, as well as the reputation of the people and events exemplified in the article, clearly suggests the strength of the article. The various aspects of the issue suggested, as well as the illustrations made use of in the article, clearly point to the most pertinent aspect of the issue the author tries to convey. This is not a straight choice between the pro-lifers and the pro-abortionists. It is simply that people increasingly feel abortion is being treated too casually, in some cases as a form of birth control. (How Could Anyone Look at This Photo and Deny Its Time to Cut the Abortion Limit? by Amanda Platell). Therefore, it is evident that the article very intelligently makes use of the various aspects of persuasive writing to catch the attention of the reader and thus it is noted for its logos.
In the article, the author is very much concerned about arousing the emotional interest of the reader and the picture of the worlds most premature living baby Amillia who was born in October 2006 at just 21 weeks, serves as a good tool in this attempt. The picture also has great relevance in capturing the attention of the reader and introducing the issue straightaway in an effective way. A ten-ounce marvel with the most extraordinary fighting spirit, her tiny feet poke through the doctors fingers. As the worlds most premature living baby, Amillia was born in October 2006 at just 21 weeks. And this remarkable child not only confounded medical expectation but her very existence poses a conundrum for all of society. (How Could Anyone Look at This Photo and Deny Its Time to Cut the Abortion Limit? by Amanda Platell). There is an emotional appeal created by the various attempts by the author which contribute to the quality of the persuasive techniques of the article.
The style of narration of the events, the presentation of the arguments, the way of reinforcing the ideas, the clear presentation of the examples, the type of conclusion arrived at etc., suggest the grade of the article in persuading the readers. Thus the author makes use of updated figures and comes to pertinent conclusions based on these. A recent poll by ComRes revealed two-thirds of people want the limit reduced from 24 weeks. Perhaps more surprisingly, three-quarters of women also want it cut& There is deep disquiet in society today about the fact that more than 200,000 abortions are performed each year in this country that is a staggering 550 terminations a day. Let me repeat that. Is it any wonder so few UK graduates are willing to perform abortions beyond 16 weeks, and that most late abortions in the UK are carried out not in hospitals but in NHS-affiliated clinics, and are performed by foreign doctors? Ive seen Professor Anand talk, Ive looked at his research. Its this kind of evidence that has shifted the mood in this country about abortion. Public opinion is changing, and changing fast. Amillia is now home with her parents. Her early health difficulties the result of her desperately premature birth are not expected to leave her with any long-term problems. (How Could Anyone Look at This Photo and Deny Its Time to Cut the Abortion Limit? by Amanda Platell). These are some of the examples from the article which suggest the clear and evident success that the author achieves in persuading the readers with his style of writing. There is great logical development evident in the article. However, the explanations about the various arguments are not organised effectively, and there is some vagueness about the ultimate aim of this persuasive writing. Thus, the articles under discussion have great validity in comprehending the persuasive techniques, rhetorical tools and effectiveness of the arguments while also comprehending the fallacies in the art of rhetoric.
Bibliography
The Art of Rhetoric: Learning How to Use the Three Main Rhetorical Styles. Web.
Four Basic Facts about Abortion, by Julian Burnside. Web.
How Could Anyone Look at This Photo and Deny Its Time to Cut the Abortion Limit? by Amanda Platell. Web.
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