In Nancy Hall's "Obesity Lawsuits" (2004) essay, Hall is determined to address the problem constantly growing and silently taking lives in America every day, obesity. The author goes on to argue that people should not be suing "fast food companies" (Hall, 2004, p. 113), but rather look at themselves to blame for becoming obese. Americans need to think about their own decisions routinely, exercise to keep the extra weight off and choose meals that are healthier (Hall, 2004). The authors thesis states: "Listening to the subtle nuance emerging from legal debate, we can hear a discernable message that clearly spells out the desperate need for further study, public awareness, and education on obesity in America" (Hall, 2004, p.114). Even though Nancy Hall is not educated on obesity nor holds a degree in Health Sciences, the article is still persuasive because of the emotion placed into words pursued by direct and solid facts laid out on paper (Hall, 2004).
Throughout the article, Hall (2004) uses facts and data to show readers how big of a growing concern obesity is becoming in America. However, Johnson-Sheehan & Paine (2010, p. 172) state that "...logos involves more than using logic to prove a point. Logos also involves appealing to someone else's common sense and using examples to demonstrate a point". In the beginning of the paper Hall, uses logos to impact the reader right away and capture their attention . One the author gathers facts from different sources, who have education dealing with obesity and other health fields (Hall, 2004). For instance, Hall quotes "Lisa Harnack and Simone French, associate professors in the Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health at the
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...ence, but the author gathered data from those who are educated in those areas of study. Digging deep in past research, the writer finds experts from areas of study, relating to obesity and other health fields. Since the researchers are experts in those areas, this makes their data solid and reliable to use in her argument (Hall, 2004).
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In conclusion, Nancy Hall's "Obesity Lawsuits" (2004), implies solid facts, uses an emotional appeal, and valid points to support her standing on this topic. Overall, Hall's argument is good because of all the techniques used to convey her point and sway the readers' opinion. Hall thinks that the lawsuits will cover up the growing problem in America and not resolve anything. Hall's strong argument will turn the focus from the courts to city streets, in an effort to stop obesity (Hall, 2004).
Recently an article titled “A Grizzly Answer for Obesity” (Corbit, 2014) featured in the op-ed section of The New York Times. Through the course of the article its author Kevin Corbit - a senior biotech scientist - talks about the possibility of human gene mutation to solve the ever growing problem of obesity. The author’s objective is to reach a wide audience with no specialist knowledge in the field of genetic transitions. Kevin has extensively used elements such as language, structure, evidence and assumptions to shape the reader’s opinion. In the following essay I would specifically examine the usage of language and evidence employed by the author. Despite the presence of numerous examples of fallacious comparisons the author has perfectly used the language to his advantage and is successful in reaching a convincing conclusion.
As the rising epidemic of obesity has attracted considerable media attention, so has the promotion for maintaining healthy wellbeing. Tom Naughton’s documentary, Fat Head, is a stellar model of this media attention. It examines the exact cause of weight gain, and the reliability of the Government’s nutritional guidelines. The contention of Fat Head is that the U.S Government and Morgan Spurlock (the creator of Super Size Me) present misleading information. However, Naughton’s bias becomes apparent through the careful selection of film techniques, and the silencing of certain characters, who may express opposing viewpoints. The ideal audience of this documentary, parents and concerned parties such as medical professionals, are invited to agree that the U.S Government and Spurlock are deceptive.
One of the most important parts of any persuasive essay is the counterclaim. This is where the author states the opposing side’s opinion, and then states why their opinions are wrong. In the article “The Skinny on Low-Fat Diets”, the author talks about the why some people continue to follow the low-fat diet, and why they think it works. It is not only important that the author includes this in his article, but it is mandatory. The counterclaim is what really pushes the article that extra mile to persuade the reader.
American health, specifically our obesity epidemic, has grown into a trending media topic. A quick Google search will bring up thousands of results containing a multitude of opinions and suggested solutions to our nation’s weight gain, authored by anyone ranging from expert food scientists to common, concerned citizens. Amongst the sea of public opinion on obesity, you can find two articles: Escape from the Western Diet by Michael Pollan and The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food by Michael Moss. Each article presents a different view on where the blame lies in this public health crisis and what we should do to amend the issue. Pollan’s attempt to provide an explanation pales in comparison to Moss’s reasonable discussion and viable
Obama did a good job of sprinkling in logos into her speech. Logos is the rhetoric device of appealing to reason. This is a very important rhetorical device because it can introduce factual grounds for one’s argument. Mrs. Obama uses logos to introduce the shocking numbers of childhood obesity. One example of Mrs. Obama using logos is when she said, “Now, right now in America, one in three children is overweight or obese” (Obama 420). This statistic provides some perspective when looking at childhood obesity. If someone stood in front of a crowd and said a lot of children are obese, the audience has no idea how many children are obese and whether it is actually a big deal. By saying that one-third of the children in America are obese, it allows the audience to know just how many children are overweight or obese. Another instance when Mrs. Obama used logos is when she said, “ One study found that African-Americans ate 32 percent more fruits and vegetables for each additional supermarket in their community. So we know the kind of difference we can make with some
I am responding to the request to analyze Radley Balko’s article, “What You Eat Is Your Business” and make a recommendation for or against publication in The Shorthorn at University of Texas at Arlington. In order to respond, I have examined the rhetorical appeals of Balko’s piece and determined why this article should be posted in the next edition of The Shorthorn. I believe that the Shorthorn audience would be interested in what is being discussed regarding of obesity, things that could potentially affect their lifestyle as well as the professors. In “What You Eat Is Your Business”, Balko claims that obesity is the responsibility of the individual not the government, and how our government is allowing American to live an unhealthy lifestyle
What comes to your mind when you hear someone is overweight. In most american’s eyes, it is someone who anyone who is not a model. This creates a huge predicadment counting that America is known to be fat. In the past few decades, lifestyle has changed our habits, but we did not think about the consequences. If we eat more then we must be doing some kind of exercise to counteract what we put inside of us. In the article “America’s War on the Overnight” by Kate Dailey and Abby Ellin, they successfully persuade the reader to tackle obesity, we need to focus more on the subject of obesity and not attack the obese using the rhetorical triangle.
Ever since the creation of the golden arches, America has been suffering with one single problem, obesity. Obesity in America is getting worse, for nearly two-thirds of adult Americans are overweight. This obesity epidemic has become a normal since no one practices any type of active lifestyle. Of course this is a major problem and many wish it wasn 't in existence, but then we start to ask a major question. Who do we blame? There are two articles that discuss numerous sides of this question in their own unique way. “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko is better than “Don 't Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko due to its position in argument, opposition, and it’s reoccurrence in evidence.
Haygood, Wil. "Kentucky Town of Manchester Illustrates National Obesity Crisis." "They Say/I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing: With Readings. By Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel K. Durst. Vol. 2e. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2012. 406-15. Print.
In the first article, Some Students Rebel Against Healthy School Lunches, their claim is USDA offering seconds on fruits and vegetables did not solve the conflict. The reporters claim is valid because they give facts and statistics to help explain the argument. Overall their argument was logos and not pathos. The text says, “ The week before, all 111 vegetable containers served were thrown away.” This shows they are trying to reduce the obesity but it isn’t helping because the kids are still going through the container of food fast. This is good evidence because it is logos, it gives good evidence to back up their claim , and it is not opinions it is statistics. Overall , the reporter of the first article, Some Students Rebel Against Healthy School Lunches, did a good job of backing up their argument,
The Great Lawsuit Throughout the centuries, there have been many groups pursuing equal rights for themselves. These groups feel that they are excluded from privileges others possess and are subject to injustices that others are not. These groups feel they deserve better and that their presence in the world is unequal to others’. In the United States, a large percentage of women started to feel they warranted equal rights to men. Margaret Fuller was among the supporters of the movement and published a ground-breaking article called “The Great Lawsuit.”
Brody, Jane E. “Attacking the Obesity Epidemic by First Figuring Out Its Cause.” New York Times. 12 September 2011. Print.
Because obesity has many causes, people do not think the government implementing regulations on food will influence healthy decisions. In Charles Baum's article, “In Fight With Obesity, a Bigger Government is the Wrong Weapon,” he tells reasons why the government would not help obesity rates go down by making regulations on food. In the article, he states, “Obesity is the result of overconsumption of calories. And as our research demonstrated, people find a variety of ways to do this” (Baum). Baum says that other causes of obesity like people quitting smoking and lacking regular exercise will keep obesity rates high even if the government puts regulations on food. However, having easier, healthy food and exercise choices could increase people’s healthy behaviors. In the article, “The Experts: What Role Should Government Play in Combating Obesity?” many experts discuss their thoughts on how much involvement the government should have in fighting obesity. Cassella states that the government sho...
In the beginning, Zinczecko begins his article by writing about his personal experience as an overweight child. “By age 15, I had packed 212 pounds of torpid teenage tallow on my once lacky 5-foot-10 frame.”(3). His use of personal evidence allows readers to know that his situation is relatable to many people like him, that is has a connection with the topic and that he is not being biased at all. In fact, his use of personal information serves as being ethos. “Then I got lucky. I went to college, joined the Navy Reserves and got involved with a health magazine.” (4) “Lunch and dinner, for me, was a daily choice
By taking a stand against the rise of obesity, America’s bodies will be in healthy condition, and are able to be the positive motivation for others to follow. Once more people choose to live a happy and healthful life, the decrease of obesity will begin to show. The solution to solving the issue of obesity in America can be possible by: eating healthier foods, getting proper exercise, and setting boundaries on what fast-food industries can sell to customers. People need to get up and get moving for the problem of obesity and its trail of nasty effects will consume the healthy way of life everyone knows today.