Rhetorical Analysis Assignment Paper
Write a 750-1,000-word essay that analyzes the rhetorical situation of a public document. This public document is the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html. Your analysis should include at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts Rhetorical Analysis Assignment Paper
Rhetorical Analysis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) provides an informative and comprehensive overview of this common neurological disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide (Hammond et al., 2022). The website’s main objective is to educate the general public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about ADHD’s prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. A close review and analysis of the website reveals that its home page features an attention-grabbing headline, “ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder,” that immediately captures the reader’s interest. The website’s layout is user-friendly, with clear headings and subheadings, bulleted lists, and numerous hyperlinks to additional resources. Furthermore, the content on the site is evidence-based and backed by research from credible sources like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)Rhetorical Analysis Assignment Paper.
A clear definition of ADHD has been clearly provided on the homepage of the site and explains its three subtypes of inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. It then goes on to describe the disorder’s symptoms, causes, risk factors, and complications. Emphasis is placed on the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to improve outcomes and reduce the negative impact of ADHD on individuals’ lives. Also addressed on the site are the common myths and misconceptions about the disease and provides practical tips for parents, educators, and healthcare providers to support individuals with ADHD.
The CDC website on ADHD effectively employs ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal to its diverse audience. In the context of the website, ethos refers to the site’s credibility and trustworthiness established by the CDC through its reputation as a leading public health agency and its use of evidence-based research to support its claims. For instance, the website cites statistics from the NIMH and the AAP to underscore the prevalence and impact of ADHD on individuals and society. Pathos, or emotional appeals as explained by Lampe (2010), are evident in the use of personal anecdotes and stories to illustrate the challenges and experiences of individuals with ADHD and their families. A good example is that the site features a video of a mother discussing her son’s struggles with ADHD and how she learned to support him better. Lastly, logos, also referred to as logical appeals, are apparent are manifested through the use of clear and concise language, statistics, and expert opinions to present a compelling case for the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD (Hammond et al., 2022). Emphasis is placed on the scientific consensus that ADHD is a real and significant neurological disorder that requires medical intervention and ongoing management.
The tome applied throughout the CDC site is authoritative, informative, and empathetic. The authoritative tone nature is important because it presents information backed by research from credible sources and provides practical guidance for individuals and healthcare providers. Even more, the tone is informative because it explains complex medical information in clear and accessible language. The value in using an empathetic tone is that it acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD and their families and offers practical strategies for managing the disorder.
The writer’s word choice on the CDC website on ADHD reflects the assumption that readers may not have a medical background and could be unfamiliar with the terminology and concepts related to ADHD. In view of this, the site uses simplified language that is completely devoid of jargon and technical terms whenever possible. What’s more, the CDC on ADHD uses inclusive language that recognizes the diversity of individuals affected by the condition.
The individual writer, group of writers or organization tasked with writing the contents of the website purposed to educate and inform the general public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about ADHD’s prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. The website aims to dispel common myths and misconceptions about ADHD and promote early detection, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of the disorder to improve outcomes for individuals with ADHD. Going by the content and tone of voice used by the writer demonstrates a concerted aim to provide practical guidance and support to individuals with ADHD and their families, educators, and healthcare providers.
The site is evidently effective for educating and informing the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about ADHD as its layout is user-friendly, uses clear and concise language, and evidence-based research make it a valuable resource for individuals seeking information about ADHD. Simply put, the site’s emphasis on early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the importance of timely intervention in managing the disorder’s impact on individuals’ lives. The effectiveness of the site is further enhanced by its inclusion of practical tips and strategies for managing ADHD, including advice for parents, educators, and healthcare providers.
One potential limitation of the website is that it may not fully address the experiences and needs of individuals with ADHD who have co-occurring conditions or disabilities. While the website briefly mentions the possibility of co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression, it does not provide in-depth information about how these conditions may affect individuals with ADHD or how they can be effectively managed in conjunction with ADHD.
The CDC website on is an effective public document that employs a variety of rhetorical tools to educate and inform its audience about ADHD’s prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options and its credibility, empathy, and practicality make it a valuable resource for individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers seeking information about ADHD. While the website may have some limitations, its overall effectiveness in promoting awareness and understanding of ADHD cannot be understated.
References
Hammond, L., Adams, P., Rubin, P. G., & Ness, E. C. (2022). A rhetorical analysis of intermediary organization documents on college completion policy. Educational Policy, 36(2), 377-406.
Lampe, P. (2010). Rhetorical analysis of pauline texts–quo vadit? Methodological reflections (pp. 3-21). T & T Clark.
Draft of a Rhetorical Analysis of a
Public Document Assignment
Goal
Write a 750-1,000-word essay that analyzes the rhetorical situation of a public document. This public document is the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html. Your analysis should include at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts.
Directions
Complete a close reading of the assigned public document. Then, write a cohesive essay that:
This essay is NOT simply an expository or descriptive essay or an analysis of ADHD. It is an analysis of the site and how effectively the site uses rhetorical tools to get its point across.
First Draft Grading
Final Draft Grading
The essay will be graded using a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations.
Sources
Format
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
Lopes Write
Preparing to Write the Essay
Read the site closely:
Conduct a pre-analysis: Rhetorical Analysis Assignment Paper
Draft the essay:
Once you’ve completed the pre-analysis, draft the essay. The essay should include:
Also, you will need to include a References page and in-text citations formatted in APA Style with at least TWO scholarly sources outside of class texts.
Submit this assignment to your instructor in the assignment drop box AND post this draft as an attachment in the Module 2 Rhetorical Analysis Peer Review forum Rhetorical Analysis Assignment Paper
by Day 3 of Week 2.