HIV/AIDS is a disease that is considered an epidemic worldwide. It is a major epidemic due to its effects on both the affected and the infected. When the disease first started to spread in the 1980s, its spread was mostly restricted to gay men and extreme drug users. This trend however changed as millions of people who did not fall under these categories got infected over the years. The Human Immune deficiency virus is the main cause of AIDS, and an earlier detection of the virus can help prevent its replication. An editorial published by the New York Times on the topic of HIV testing provides a good example of a rhetorical publication. This paper seeks to analyze how the author utilizes ethos, pathos, and logos in this publication with regard to the topic of ‘the importance of testing for HIV.’
The writer uses strong language that takes into account logical reasoning and validity, therefore enhancing his or her ability to capture the reader’s attention. This publication brings out the HIV/AIDS message openly to the reader. Whereas in the early years people thought that this condition should be blanketed by discrimination, shame and ignorance, the writer uses existing facts to reinforce the core message.
While some individuals consider themselves ‘safe’, I agree with the New York Times editorial publication that Americans aged between fifteen and sixty-five should be voluntarily screened without charge so that the population can be aware of their status. In my view this will encourage responsible behavior among Americans across the entire age groups. Recent research indicates that forty five percent of youths are sexually active. To increase awareness and sexual responsibility, voluntary testing should be encouraged.
The text is credible and has appealed to the audience through a good balance of pathos, ethos, and logos. The author incorporates pathos through a persuasive style that creates an emotional appeal. The emotional environment is evident when the author clearly points out the negative effects of ignoring HIV testing. The publication states that the only way to reduce severe illnesses, premature deaths and infections is through testing and diagnosis during the first phases of HIV development. These consequential effects of HIVAIDS have an emotional connotation that draws the reader’s attention.
The author also offers hope and joy to humanity by referring to the France and Mississippi incidents. In this case, strong Anti-retroviral drugs eradicated the virus during an early detection. Even though this is yet to be proven by researchers, it gives hope to the infected and affected victims. There is an effective use of ethos since this text is published in a renowned magazine, the New York Times. This assures the audience that the sources of this text are credible and the author is a qualified writer. This is also seen by the proper diction and tone used by the writer, which shows professionalism. Although there is no personal touch or connection to the subject from the author, there is a balance among the three components of the rhetorical triangle.
This publication is effective and persuasive since it displays a sound argument echoed by the consistent use of logos. The writer has used inductive reasoning by linking the report released by the United States Preventive Task Force for testing of the present trend. The task force released a report in 2005 recommending that screening should target the adults at risk especially gays and young persons. While this may be helpful, the strategy might not be as effective as it may lock out the greater population. This is due to the increased spread of this virus amongst adults who were traditionally considered to be at less risk. The virus has over the past decade shown a prevalence in heterosexual marriages.
To make readers more comfortable with the idea of undertaking the test, the editor has used a logical argument that symptoms can be readily treated by use of antiviral drugs. This reinforces a similar report and recommendation from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.The researched and proven facts create an environment of credible and valid reasoning taking into account one of the basic dimensions of rhetorical triangle-logos. I presume that the author has created a logical appeal by the inclusion of supportive arguments that reveals that wider testing has ignored the fact that two hundred thousand Americans are infected without their knowledge. This is true since the only way HIV related effects can be minimized is through early detection and treatment schemes.
The number of those infected without knowledge brings to the readers’ attention that the prevalence of AIDS cannot be limited to younger people and gays only. Logical reasoning is also backed by the proven fact that in Mississippi, an active virus was eliminated from an infected child. This also happened in France whereby an active virus was detected early enough and eliminated in good time with the help of Antiviral. From the New York Time’s publication and information from other substantial research work, it is evident that the benefits and the need for HIV testing cannot be ignored. Testing eliminates the problems associated with severe opportunistic infections that may reduce a patient’s lifespan (The Editorial Board par. 2).
Testing can also help individuals make informed decisions regarding contraceptives and family planning. Personal knowledge of one’s HIV status makes an individual secure and gives him peace of mind. This is especially true for couples who are in an intimate sexual relationship and women who are thinking of becoming pregnant. The improved HIV awareness in many countries has seen the development and implementation of policies that protect against discrimination of HIV related cases.
For instance in the United States, existing laws require that health care providers report to the local hospital department the names of the infected patients. These records are coded and later terminated after 90 days. The barrier to early HIV testing includes ignorance where people are reluctant to undertake HIV testing since they assume that they are safe so long as they practice safe sex procedures. This may be misleading because sex is not the only avenue to the infection of HIV/AIDS. The only way to counter this is through intensive public education.
This essay has discussed how the pillars of rhetoric triangle have been utilized in the publication. It also gives an insight into the benefits and major barriers to testing. In this paper, HIV testing has been considered an important aspect of people’s health, because of the high increase in the number of people who are infected without knowledge. Testing has great benefits to an individual and the society. Even though every person is required to follow safe sex principles, testing is recommended.
Works Cited
The Editorial Board. The Importance of Testing for H.I.V. 2013. Web.