Running head: RHETORIC ANALYSIS of AIDS in Africa

Rhetorical Analysis of AIDS in Africa

Alexander R. Perez
University of Texas at El Paso

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS of AIDS in Africa

Introduction:
In his article AIDS in Africa, published July 2000 in the online journal Global Issues,
author Anup Shah states that Africa has not received the appropriate media attention involving
ordinary African people and their conflict with HIV and AIDS. He begins by providing us with
statistics about the disease from several different years to show how more and more African
people are becoming infected. He goes on to suggest that because of this many other aspects of
their life are impacted such as because some children may have to care for a sick parent their
schooling may suffer as a result. An analysis will be done to his rhetoric techniques used to
convey his message such as pathos, logos, and ethos.
Logos:
The content of Shahs article relies mostly on logos, which is facts, data, logic and
evidence. Rather than making general assumptions and arguments, Shah cites actual names,
dates and events when describing approaches suggested by other organizations and referencing
former political leaders. He includes very direct and clear data in his argument such as, [2000]
began with 24 million Africans infected with the virus. In the absence of a medical miracle,
nearly all will die before 2010. Each day, 6,000 Africans die from AIDS. Each day, an additional
11,000 are infected. ( Lester R. Brown, HIV Epidemic Restructuring Africas Population,
World Watch Issue Alert, 31 October 2000) He later goes on to state a very reasonable fact a
nation such as the US has the resources and ability to determine where that money should be
spent. (Shah, 2000, p.3) Then offers the reason why this has not been done However, the
concern is that the decisions become political, rather than health/need driven. (Shah, 2000, p.3)

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS of AIDS in Africa

Ethos:
Author, Anup Shah, is the editor of Global Issues website. However, this is not
mentioned in the article, so the reader who does not know the authors background is left to
analyze the credibility of the article from the contents. Fortunately, the author provides links and
sources for all the facts he cites that are not common knowledge, so the credibility of his
argument can be determined from the credibility of his sources. The author mentions that his
parents grew up in east Africa and that he has a degree in computer science, which he also
mentions is not really relevant but that because of this he is capable of sifting through a lot of
information to understand what is happening and is familiar with referring to credible websites.
This article is published on the website Global Issues which was started in 1998 and aims to
show how numerous global issues are inter-related. This website could attract negative ethos
from social leaders and political figures because it generally refers to what they are not doing and
instead what they should be doing. Positive ethos is usually appealed to in the form of the
readers, who are is the intended audience, because they are the people who want to make a
difference and are inquiring about what their elected leader could be doing to help the specified
problem. This makes the audience critically examine their own ethical choices that they have
made and reanalyze the importance of problems their elected officials are dealing with.
Pathos:
At first, Shah appears to use little to no pathos , an appeal to emotion, in his article for the
article is entirely factual. However, further examination reveals that his use of pathos is actually
significant. The audience is given the problems that they are facing such as lack of access to
safe water and adequate sanitation services (Shah, 2000, p.4) which are widely available in

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS of AIDS in Africa

many developed countries that many people do not realize how fortunate they are to have these
services. Shah brings forth the factors that the audience may not be aware of because they are
used to having such items on a daily basis. When the audience thinks, how would it be like if I
didnt have safe drinking water or a proper place to put their waste that means that he has done
a great job appealing to their pathos. He is not trying to shock the audience. He is simply trying
to inform the audience of some of the struggles African people are dealing with. Also, keep in
mind that these are not the only problems concerning them it is a combination of many more
problems.
Visual:
He incorporates a couple of videos to help expand on his a give a visual to the audience.
African children are depicted in a run down, make shift shack and their dying parent is lying in
bed while they care for them. This is a heartbreaking place for anybody to be in. Thus, the appeal
to the audiences pathos is significant. This visual evokes strong emotions in the audience, which
adds to him getting his message across. The audience relates with him and thus a common
connection is established. The audience is put into the shoes of the African children having to
care for their dying parent. Since his appeal to pathos is significant his message is stronger and
the audience has a heartfelt attachment to the message being conveyed.
Conclusion:
This article is a fact-based argument that is backed up with solid figures and reliable
sources. Although the article was not published on one of the more credible websites such as
aids.org it definitely deserves to be because of its solid facts and evidence provided. All the
statistics mentioned are backed up with very reliable sources. His message was clear and
straightforward which ensures the audience is provided with accurate and understandable

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS of AIDS in Africa

information; his message being, more media attention is needed to help alleviate the conflict
between African people and HIV/AIDS. Something that could have been done better was his
experience with the African people. What would have given this article more credibility would
be if Shah had provided personal experiences of Africa and his findings.

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS of AIDS in Africa

Shah, A. (2000, July 1). AIDS in Africa. Retrieved from

http://www.globalissues.org/article/90/aids-in-africa