Free Analyzing Arguments Rhetorically Critical Thinking Example

Joana MacKay’s article titled “Organ Sales Will Save Lives” comes across to be an argumentative piece that aims to persuade the avid readers into being in compliance with the opinion that is voiced by the author. It needs to be noted that MacKay goes on to utilize a number of techniques of persuasion so as to influence the readers of the article. A close introspection of the intricacies of penning this article would enable one to have a much better understanding of the matter. It has to be reckoned that the writing deals with a very controversial topic and it argues in favor of sale of organs. Now, there can be no doubt that the topic goes on to argue against the current law and normative practice that bars the selling of organs and rather criminalizes the act in many nation states. However, as per the opinion of the author this matter needs to be delved into as sale of organs can essentially save many lives that meet their untimely end due to organ failures.
As such, the purpose of the author of this piece is to entirely influence the psyche and perspective of the audience of this text. The writer aims to reach out to the general masses of the society so as to shape their opinion about a major issue related to the domain of healthcare. However, since the author is trying to shift the opinion of the readers to a different side in comparison to normative practice, she presents a very persuasive nature of argument in the favor of the point-of-view being advocated in the article. It has to be noted that the author draws his reference from existing scholarly research work that help to substantiate the argument of the paper. This is an academic article that deals with the domain of ethics and politics in science. Indeed, the major ethical issues that shape the practice of humans are highlighted with the aim to provide a new angle of thought so as to explore the options of betterment. As the writing deals with healthcare, it is highly contextual and important for the audience to consider the argument that has been presented. There can be no denial of the fact that this genre provides scope of in-depth analysis of the data and also the consequences related to the sale of organs in the domain of health. The sheer potential of the sale of organs to save lives of terminally ill patients makes this topic very intriguing to say the least.
The article in context goes on to voice its argument in favor of sale of organs with legal status. The author calls upon the readers to consider the scenario where sale of organs is legal and regulated by the government. If the process is legalized, it would surely curb the illegal transactions related to organ sale that occurs presently. The article argues that there are innumerable people in the society who would readily opt to sell their organs if that provides them the option of having a better standard of sustenance. On the other hand, a huge number of people meet with their untimely demise since they are affected by organ failures that cannot be treated in any way except for organ transplant. These ailing people would surely be ready to provide a high price for the organs if they get the chance to acquire them from willing donors. In this way, both the sides in the deal would be benefitted in the best possible way with no harm being done to anyone. There would be no chance for any illegal trade, but lives would be saved with the donors getting respite from their state of abject poverty. Hence, the article goes on to question the very notion of moral standard and evokes the avid readers to reconsider the notion of morality and to make way for such deals that would save lives and also benefit others.
Now, one can very well analyze the intricacies of the use of persuasive techniques in this contextual article. The article finds an inception in the use of logos where the author goes on to cite from an academic source to statistically substantiate the argument that she wants the readers to comply with. The objective description of the problems related to the kidney of a human body work as proof of the severity of ailment that this article aims to delve into. Thus, from the very beginning the author succeeds in engaging the avid readers of this article. However, the use of logos is followed by the incorporation of pathos. The use of pathos is aimed at evoking the emotions of the readers who are made to read the harshness and the pain associated with the contextual ailment. Thus, pathos helps the argument to be engaging in nature. But, the author proves to be crafty as she perfectly meshes pathos with logos. Statistical figures provide substantiation to the emotional appeal regarding the ailment, and shows how large a number of people get affected by the health issue.
This is followed with the description of the illegal trade of organs in the present day scenario. Next, the author goes on to use ethos as she endeavors to portray her knowledge and research on the topic in context. The writing goes on to discuss why illegal trade of organs has become so very popular all over the world. The article shows the expertise of the writer and makes her sound very much unbiased in the approach toward addressing the topic in context. This can be understood to be a major way of bridging the gap between the article and the readers as the people going through the writing come to realize the depth of understanding of the author by this time. One of the most appealing factors of the writing is that it also encompasses the counterargument or the other side of the debate. This makes the writing come across to be unbiased in its approach. Once again, the following part of the writing shows the use of logos to supplement the argument. In the next part of the paper one sees the alternate use of pathos and logos so as to create a strong ground for the thesis of this writing. Toward the end of this paper, one finds the use of ethos as the writer endeavors to relate to her readers on a personal level. Hence she uses the collective term “we” while calling for action on the part of the readers.
It has to be opined that there is no room for speculation in the course of this writing as the author makes sure that all the information is properly supplemented with proof and citations from academic works. There can be no doubt about the fact that the writer use of ethos in the course of the writing is perfect as it portrays the credibility of the person voicing the argument, and makes the needed persuasive connection with the readers. All of this meshed with the use of pathos to make the writing extremely argumentative and convincing for the avid readers. For a topic like the one that has been portrayed, any argument needs to have an informative, yet emotional approach as it has to be of the potential of transforming the outlook of the readers about a subject that is societally established to be wrong and immoral. If one aims to transform the notion of morality and its parameters in the context of this topic, the appeal has to be holistic. This writing succeeds in pulling off all of that in the use of the persuasive techniques.
There should be mention about the style of writing on the part of the author of this article. It can be commented that the argument that has been presented is scholarly as well as informal to a certain degree so as to appeal to one and all. The tone of the writing remains very serious right from the beginning to the very end of the paper. The complexity of the sentences points to the importance of the topic of discussion. If one is to comment on the overall persuasiveness of this writing, it would be right to say that the use of logos comes across to be very important and it predominates the entire writing. This functions quite well as the readers are properly convinced with valid statistical data and information about the healthcare issue and the possibilities that encompass the legalization of sale of organs. The paper succeeds in convincing the reader about the matter. However, one might raise an issue regarding the scope of illegal trade with relation to organs even if the matter is legalized and regulated. The scope of corruption in the domain of healthcare in the context of this matter has to be considered.
It would be correct to say that the argument presents a firm stand that provides a valid alternative in the domain of healthcare. After reading the piece, one is sure to ponder over the option of legalization of organ sale as it is something that would go on to help both the ailing person and also the individual selling the organ. The notion of ethics and morality in relation to the topic in context would require to be rethought so as to make way for the sale of organs in the society in a legal manner. No doubt, the argumentation of the writing presents a revolutionary idea that challenges the laws and the societal perspective toward the matter in context. Nonetheless, it is the sheer quintessence of the argument with all its persuasiveness that makes one ponder about the topic after having read the article by Joana MacKay.