The text under analysis is called “Zika Virus” and comes from an online newspaper The Guardian. The article presents the current world news and covers the information about the deadly virus Zika, which spreads over Southern America and some southern states of the USA. The sub-heading of the article presents the main idea of the text and tells that emergency committee was convened with the purpose of informing people about an increasing percentage of infected people and the growing menace of the virus spread (Weaver). Due to their apparent lack of knowledge and medicine, the scientists do not know yet how to treat Zika, but they have already convened the committee to inform people and study the virus with combined forces of international scientists.
The article is done by an outstanding British reporter Matthew Weaver, who “has been working on the Guardian website since 2001” (Weaver). The article is intended for a wide audience with the aim of informing people about a potential hazard of Zika to human health. It can be said that the article is of a popular scientific discourse, as it includes some scientific notions, like “microcephaly”, “birth malformations”, “neurological syndromes”, “Aedes aegypti mosquito” (Weaver), but, at the same time, it presents the simplified interpretation of data, which can be understood by a majority of people, and which has a strong emotional appeal to the readers.
In order to make any written or oral speech successful, the author has to think about the rhetorical appeals in order to make the information sound precise and reliable and in order to influence recipient’s decision and feelings. Logos of the text presents some facts, data, and results of a research, which make the audience trust the information presented. Thus, the reporter gives the recorded evidence that Zika was detected in more than 20 countries today (The Guardian). What is more, the reader even gets the statistics of the scientific research that tells that “Zika virus has been linked to thousands of birth defects in Latin America and has been detected in 23 countries of the Americas” (Weaver). In such a way, one can trust these data and take measures to protect oneself from the virus. In addition to that, as this information is already widely known, there is a chance that the scientists from all over the world will put effort into curing the disease and preventing its spread to other countries.
Ethos presents reliable information made by someone we know, respect, or trust. The author of the article repeatedly refers to the scientists, like Margaret Chan, the WHO Director General, Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert, and organizations, like emergency committee and World Health Organization (Weaver). For example, “one of the WHO scientists estimated that there could be 3 to 4 million Zika infections in the Americas over the next year”. This information looks sound because it is told by a respected health professional, who gives the reasons on the basis of some research. What is more, the article is of a testimonial character, which makes the reader consider the opinion presented in the text and follow a piece of advice provided. Thus, the scientists “advise pregnant women against going to the areas, where the virus has been detected” (Weaver). They have also warned people about the danger of travelling to hazardous areas. Owing to the fact that this information has been presented, there is a chance that the virus will not spread so fast because the people are informed.
The aim of the pathos is to influence the recipient’s emotions and feelings. It is obvious that after reading the article, one does not have other feelings but for fear and concern about one’s and their relatives’ health. What is more, the words of emphasis, like “extremely high”, “explosive spread”, “deeply concerning” are mentioned several times, and they create an atmosphere of concern and make us believe that the issue is very serious (Weaver). What is more, the scientists tell that Zika “has an explosive potential” and “can cause lifelong developmental problems” (Weaver). What makes the situation even worse is that Margaret Chan presents the reasons for alarm, explaining that it is highly likely that the virus will spread further to other countries and that there are still no vaccines (Weaver). All these facts, together with the rhetorical appeals, which influence on the way the text is interpreted, effect the reader’s emotions and makes them be more careful about their health and safety.
The structure of the article is built in a logical way, and it is easy to follow the ideas. First, the reader finds out about an ongoing committee on the threat of spreading of a dangerous virus called Zika. After that, the scientists explain why the virus is so dangerous and what effects it has on a human’s organism. In the end of the article, the authorities show the possible ways out: try to find vaccines to cure the patients and poison to exterminate the dangerous mosquitos. However, some of the problems are still in question: for example, how to protect pregnant women and their children from the virus and what to do with the Olympic games in Brazil this summer, as it is impossible to invite tourists to the country infected with the virus.
The article touches upon the up-to-date news, which has to be solved the sooner the better. It is a positive fact that the scientists inform the audience about the virus because it may prevent the spread of the disease at least to some extent. At the same time, the article proves that the people are still unprotected from possible hazard and even fatal outcome. All in all, it can be said that the question still stands and nobody knows how much it may take to treat the disease. However, the scientists show a great promise and the only thing, which is left to do, is to wait for the results of the committee meeting and hope for a positive outcome.
Works Cited
Weaver, Matthew. “Zika Virus.” The Guardian, 28 Jan. 2016. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/28/zika-virus-spreading-explosively-says-world-health-organisation
