Breastfeeding Rhetorical Analysis

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Analysis of the Article on "Breastfeeding" The essay titled "Breastfeeding" found in Gale Opposing Viewpoints provides a thorough overview of the topic, including health benefits, historical context, and societal challenges. The central theme is the benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers. The thesis statement is implicit, emphasizing the benefits of breastfeeding, with the main supporting points being nutrition, health benefits, and societal challenges. The article provides historical context, detailing the transition from wet nurses and cow's milk to breastfeeding initiatives in the twentieth century. It emphasizes the decline in breastfeeding rates because of aggressive marketing by infant formula manufacturers. As the essay …show more content…

The thesis focuses on the effectiveness of the argument, allowing for an examination of how the author constructs and defends their position. The author uses a balanced combination of logos, pathos, and ethos. Logos are visible in the presentation of research results, health benefits, and statistical data. As the essay states, "Studies have found that mothers who breastfeed reduce their risk for developing breast and ovarian cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes" (Gale Opposing Viewpoints). Pathos is skillfully used in discussions about the emotional aspects of breastfeeding, such as mother-infant bonding, challenges faced by working mothers, and societal norms. Ethos is established by referring to authoritative organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the mandatory pasteurization laws in the late 1920s, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each paragraph expertly discusses a different aspect of the breastfeeding argument, providing a thorough examination of its details. The first section explores the area of health benefits, emphasizing the consistent and high-quality nutrition provided to infants through breast

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