Assessment Description:
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General Education Program Information
This assignment assesses the following general education competencies:
Critical Thinking
GED2C1: Construct logical, cohesive, and persuasive arguments.
GED2C2: Locate, verify, evaluate, and correctly cite print and electronic resources.
GED2C3: Exhibit proficiency in Standard American English for academic purposes.
GED2C4: Demonstrate knowledge of the power and ethical ramifications of language choice and communication style.
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Solution to ENG-105: English Composition I - First Draft of a Rhetorical Analysis.
SAMPLE 1
Rhetorical Analysis of the CDC Webpage on ADHD (Rough Draft)
Rhetorical Analysis of the CDC Webpage on ADHD
ADHD is a common neurological disorder with symptoms affecting a child or an adult's ability to sustain attention, inhibit impulsive behaviors, and moderate activity levels (Asherson, 2024). According to a study on ADHD prevalence among U.S. children and adults by Danielson et al. (2024), ADHD continues to affect a substantial percentage of children with 11.4% reported to have ever received a diagnosis and 10.5 % (6.5 million) currently suffering from the condition. As a result, different institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have made an effort to educate the public about this common neurodevelopmental disorder. The CDC maintains a comprehensive webpage on ADHD and by analyzing the appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos, this essay will argue that the CDC has been effective in communicating key information about ADHD to a broad audience.
For anyone looking for accurate information regarding the disorder, the CDC page on ADHD is a reliable source due to various reasons. One is because it provides relevant information that is factual and offers a thorough summary of types of ADHD, diagnoses, symptoms, and treatment choices for the condition. Additionally, it is also arranged logically into neat sections covering subjects such as signs and symptoms, causes and risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, data, and statistics. Thus, it can be stated that by using brief but rather informative text, images, and links to other sources, the CDC appealed to various rhetorical strategies which Grand Canyon University (2022) underlines are fundamental basis for discussing any rhetorical situation.
When creating this public health resource, the CDC utilizes several important appeals in an effort to properly address its audience. The webpage makes skillful use of ethos, pathos, and logos appeals to establish credibility, connect emotionally, and present logical arguments about ADHD. According to Grand Canyon University (2022), "Ethos refers to the writer's appeal to authority and can also include the writer's charisma, character, and credibility". The ethos appeal is evident in how the CDC establishes its authority and trustworthiness as a source. As a leading national public health institute, the CDC inherently carries significant credibility on health topics. Further, the webpage reinforces this ethos through elements like citing scientific studies, using medical terminology, and linking to other reputable health organizations. For instance, the webpage provides links to reputable health organizations such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and this helps build trust with readers seeking reliable ADHD facts.
Chapter 7 of Writing with Purpose by Grand Canyon University (2022) states that "according to Aristotle, pathos refers to how the author uses tone to appeal to the audience's emotions or passions when attempting to convince them of his or her point of view". This may involve tugging at the proverbial heartstrings of the audience and evoking a particular emotional reactions that can range from happiness to sadness, pity, outrage, and a host of other emotional responses an author might wish to bring about in an audience (Grand Canyon University, 2022). The CDC incorporates pathos appeals by describing real challenges faced by those with ADHD. These challenges include having trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or being overly active (CDC, 2024). Through this, the page evokes empathy and concern. Also, the CDC uses pathos by highlighting consequences that arise from having ADHD such as "difficulty at school, at home, or with friends" thus creating a balance between clinical objectivity and human understanding.
Logos mode of persuasion appeals to reason and logic (Goldin, 2020). Grand Canyon University posits that this can be achieved when an author uses statistics, data, and facts about the issue or topic about which he or she is writing. Borrowing these insights, the CDC can be argued to present logical, evidence-based information about ADHD. The webpage cites specific statistics, outlines diagnostic criteria, and explains treatment approaches in a clear and logical flow. Moreover, the statement “For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment” presents statistical data to create emphasis on what mode of treatment is best for what age group. Additionally, other statements by the CDC (2024) such as “research does not support the popularly held views that ADHD is caused by eating too much sugar or watching too much television” indicate that The CDC encourages logic and evidence-based reasoning over statements not backed by facts. As a result, the CDC constructs a persuasive logical argument for understanding and addressing ADHD.
In evaluating the overall effectiveness of the CDC's rhetorical approach, it is clear the webpage successfully balances authority, empathy, and rationality to communicate about ADHD. Consequently, the CDC can be argued to have skillfully navigated the challenge of conveying complex medical information to a general audience. As Grand Canyon University (2022) notes, "All writers make rhetorical choices, whether consciously or implicitly when they write. These choices can affect the success or failure of the piece and also can affect both the message conveyed and the way the audience interprets the writer's message." The CDC's choices in language, tone, and content reflect a keen awareness of its diverse readership.
The CD page on ADHD demonstrates a skillful application of rhetorical strategies to educate the public about a complex health issue. Through a balanced use of ethos, pathos, and logos appeals, the CDC establishes credibility, connects emotionally with readers, and presents logical, evidence-based information. Additionally, the clear organization, accessible language, and multimodal content of the page effectively serve its purpose of increasing public understanding of ADHD. Overall, the CDC succeeds in creating a valuable public health resource by leveraging rhetorical tools to bridge the gap between medical expertise and public comprehension.
References
Asherson, P. (2024). ADHD across the lifespan. Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2024.05.015
CDC. (2024, June 27). About Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD). https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/about/index.html
Danielson, M. L., Claussen, A. H., Bitsko, R. H., Katz, S. M., Newsome, K., Blumberg, S. J., … Ghandour, R. (2024). ADHD Prevalence Among U.S. Children and Adolescents in 2022: Diagnosis, Severity, Co-Occurring Disorders, and Treatment. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 53(3), 343–360. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2024.2335625
Goldin, O. (2020). Pistis, persuasion, and logos in Aristotle. Elenchos, 41(1), 49-70. https://doi.org/10.1515/elen-2020-0003
Grand Canyon University (2022). Writing with purpose. (2nd ed.)