Rhetorical Analysis: Doing The Ice Bucket Challenge

The popular trend known as The Ice Bucket Challenge undeniably became successful in raising awareness of Lou Gehrig’s disease, but did it actually help ALS research? Associate Special Projects Editor, Amanda Gutterman believes that there is a “big problem” with the challenge. By her use of argumentative strategies, Gutterman’s essay effectively conveys her stance as she explains how the popular trend lead to insincerity from politicians and relating scientific research.

One of the strategies the author uses in the article, “Doing the Ice Bucket Challenge Is Not the Same Thing as Actually Supporting ALS Research”, is ethos. This particular strategy establishes the writer's good character. In fact, Gutterman establishes the use of ethos as she chooses to use “I” as identification of her character. Ethos can also be developed by choosing language that is relevant to the topic and audience. Her vocabulary, with words such as “hypocrisy”, is appropriate for the topic at hand. Moreover with the ethical appeal, one must make themselves sound fair to the audience. It is certain that the writer expresses her view point in an unbiased way, establishing both arguments and counterarguments of the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Furthermore, another strategy Amanda Gutterman uses is called pathos.

To define, pathos is the Greek word for suffering and experience. This appeal is used to persuade an audience through emotion. For example, the writer evokes emotion by briefly explaining her own personal experience with the Lou Gehrig’s disease. Gutterman stated, “Don't get me wrong: I think raising money for ALS research is a great idea. My dad died of ALS when I was 16.” In addition, the writer went into detail with her story, further captivating readers emotion. “ My dad might still be alive if people 10 or 20 years ago had given ALS the attention it's getting now,” was another statement that implied how she felt on the

topic.
One final strategy the author uses in the text is logos. Logos involves logic such as citing facts and reasoning with constructive arguments. Amanda Gutterman cites facts and statistics through her essay as she discussed the trend that raised awareness of ALS, but caused other issues. One example is when she gave the amount of money raised for ALS-research, which was a total of $90 million. Her facts also contained hyperlinks, further proving her sources were credible. Gutterman also cites authority who supported her stance of the issue with the following quote by John Dingell: “Since 2011, House Republicans have cut NIH funding by billions. And you thought dumping ice water on your head was cold.” This direct quote from an outside source explained the writers point of view in a factual way. Therefore, the audience is convinced in a more reasonable, logic way.
In conclusion, it is inferred that writer Amanda Gutterman used all three modes of persuasion in an appropriate and effective manner. The writer used proper language to persuade readers her credibility of knowledge to the topic that was discussed. Gutterman also convinced the audience with emotion by explaining how she was personally affected by ALS. Also, she logically convinced the audience with statistics of funding for ALS-research, cited direct quotes, and provided factual information that supported her argument. In all, Amanda Gutterman could be used as a prime example of how to use ethos, pathos, and logos properly.