Assisted Suicide Analysis

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Would you rather: be alive, but in so much pain that you cannot function, or die and put an end to all your suffering? Jeffrey Weiss believes that death is the better option, arguing that although human life is valuable, no one deserves to suffer through prolonged pain when no cure is available. He argues in favor of assisted suicide, attempting to convince the readers of USA Today, both liberals and conservatives, that people suffering from chronic illnesses should have the right to die. He strengthens his claim by using religious appeals, a personal anecdote, and cited facts, creating an overall logical tone.
Weiss believes that any patient suffering from a life-threatening illness should have the option to undergo assisted suicide if they so choose. He immediately identifies his relationship to the issue, as he himself has brain cancer. Treatment has been offered to him, with few side effects and “significant” benefits. By using this relatively neutral word, Weiss emphasizes his apathy towards treating his cancer. He then expands on this claim by contrasting his two long sentences with a short one: “But it ain’t a cure.” This short sentence places an emphasis on what he truly wants from treatment: a cure. However, no cure …show more content…

He uses quotes from Frank Pavone, a priest, and the Vatican, both arguing against Ms. Schiavo’s assisted suicide. By doing this, he establishes his credibility, both by identifying the counter-argument and also by using credible sources. However, he then counters it, using a rhetorical question. “Based on that, I should go for every treatment I can get, yes?” He again ties it back to himself, making it much more personal to him. It seems like he might be considering their opinions, that it is heartless and cruel to take a life, yet he immediately states that he does not have that in mind. He would rather have a short life, with minimal pain, than a lengthy life with enormous

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