Introduction
In the speech, I went beyond the critical and conventional academic research and deployed rhetoric to express my disappointment with the situation of pollution in China. The speech effectively employed pathos, logos and ethos to drive the point home and call for action. I use the tone of disappointment to argue that pollution is immoral, inhumane and driven by corporate that do not have the future generations in mind. Through pathos and the tone of hope, I urge the Chines to rise up speak against until the government comes up with effective laws and policies to handle the situation. Through the call on the business community to understand the relationship between pollution control and profitability shows logos.
Pathos as stylistic device is used to invoke the emotions of the two antagonists- the pollutants and the government (public), to come to the realization that pollution is rampant in the country and needs urgent interventions. The emotional appeal (through senses of listening, site and hearing) aims at reminding the audience to strongly embrace the philosophy of sustainable development and production and consumption patterns that are environmental friendly. By introducing myself as a student from University of Arizona, and did extensive research about the air pollution, I intend to catch the audience’s attention with my credentials, evidence based research and statement of facts.
The speech repeatedly, has some phrases that have almost the same meaning for emphasis, and inspire hope and promise the audience of a possible change that would ensure end of the devastation situation. These phrases include ‘650000 people died’, ‘mortality rate ‘, ‘health issues’, ‘illnesses’ and ‘inhalation of the chemicals’ . These phrases are used to emphasis to the audience the health outcomes of rampant pollution. For example, the phrase “the responsibility of the china government to control air pollution” denotes hope and need for the authorities to realize the fact that patience among the anti-pollutants is running out. The use of the rhetoric devices corresponds to the prevailing circumstances, where pollution and the suffering of the population are rife.
The speech puts the dire situation in a health context to justify the use of the strong rhetorical techniques. For instance, it is evident that more than 650,000 people in China have died due to air pollution in China. Similarly more than half of people in Beijing wear respirators. The speech also lists the various diseases that result from pollution such as asthma, lung cancer and bronchitis
The speech deployed contrasting metaphors as a rhetoric element to symbolize certain actions and behaviors in the society and aim at creating a charged environment that could inspire the citizens, corporate and activists into action. Throughout the speech, the negative effects of pollution are outlined. The speech mainly focused on the greed of the big companies to make profit at the expense of the poor. However, the speech ends with a shocking revelation that those who pollute in pursuit of huge profits may one day face the wrath of the environment and pay dearly. That is, if the situation is not dealt with, the massive pollution would lead to huge financial losses to many corporate and businesses. Similarly, it will keep off investors, thus halting, the economic growth and development in China. The use of such contrasting metaphors contrasts the perceived happiness brought about by huge profits with the real predicaments faced by the victims and the economy respectively. For example, I said, in the speech, that “the worrying thing is, even the non-smokers are prone to the diseases due to the negligence of the smokers”. The phrase demonstrates the tone of irony, sadness and anger that contrasts the lives of the two groups. The metaphors act as a rally call for both the smokers and nonsmokers to use every available opportunity to avoid passive smoking.
There exists no better way to promote social justice than the use of rhetoric strategies. The speech exploits the moment and atmosphere at that time to put his message across to the government and the entire nation, as well as future generations. The atmosphere in China is worrisome due to rising cases of pollution, climate change and acidic rains. As such, the ethos is used to speak against injustices and unfair treatment of the public by the businesses. As such, the speech offers an opportunity for the speaker to appeal to his own wisdom, reputation (ethical values) and to call for directs action on the issue of pollution and corporate injustices towards the people in China. By giving the factual data and specific diseases caused by the pollution, the speaker effectively used the rhetoric strategy of logos to present his message, purpose and opinions. The speech thus raises moral and ethical as well as logical (logos) issues. Morally it is the duty of the government to safeguard public interest. The speech therefore summons the government to swing into action and behave in an ethical and moral manner to promote public good. In terms of logos, the speech applies logical arguments to show the apparent ignorance or negligence by the government and the polluters. According to the speech, it is logical (logos) that the businesses promote environmental sustainability so as to safeguard their own going concern. Similarly, it would be logical (logos) for the government to impose hefty fines and taxes on the polluters. This is the most objective and logical (logos) way to promote public good, deal with negative externalities and promote fairness to all, now and in the future.
In conclusion, the speech shows anger over the environmental situation in china. The tone of the speech is that of a disappointment and hope. The message delivery employed emotional appeal (pathos to prove my position on the injustices by the polluters in China. Persuasion of the audience deemed a better approach as it would have an emotional attachment and summon action.
