Rhetorical Analysis Reflection

I wrote my rhetorical analysis about an article release by Issues in Science and Technology regarding the assessment of global climate change on a regional and local level rather than globally. My rhetorical analysis really evolved with each of my drafts. I thought in the beginning, I had some good ideas but they weren't pieced together very well. My sentence structures were questionable and my wording didn't convey what I was trying to say, especially regarding the tone of the paper. My conferences with Mr. Holland and with the writing center tutor helped me see the weakest areas of my paper and were extremely helpful in giving me direction. I felt that as I edited, I could better recognize where my analysis was not as strong and where I included too much summary. That was the biggest difference between my third draft and my final product. As I read over my paper, I felt like the sentences made a bit more sense and my paragraphs flowed better. I was just excited to see my paper come together as I tried to address all of the things that I learned from my conferences. My finished product finally conveyed what I really wanted to say about the article, and I even had to cut out some of my paper because it was too long. I thought this was good though, as I could get rid of some less important information to make it all more concise. I learned a lot through this process, mostly about quantity of editing and conferencing. The more the better. Overall, I think my finished product is what I wanted to produce. I put a lot of work into it.

Audience Profile

In researching about the audience for "Transforming Conservation" and who Issues in Science and Technology is directed towards, I found this article to be directed towards the general public and even to congress and others who can make changes in the standards and policies in environmentalism. Issues in Science and Technology is a forum that experts, not just opinionated journalists, can voice their opinions to a very broad audience. On their website, it describes the purpose of Issues is "admittedly idealistic but vital: to improve the effectiveness of public and private policy in making a better world and to raise the level of debate and mutual respect among all those who appreciate the critical contributions of science and technology." This shows the intended readers really are those who can make change and the public, to create opinions to spark debates and really become informed. It is an informative purpose to help make people come up with their own opinions and solutions and to act, not just read. Issues provides a place where "researchers, government officials, business leaders, and others with a stake in public policy can share ideas and offer specific suggestions." Issues tries to focus on pressing issues in science, technology, health, academics, and even government, as I mentioned with their desire to create action, seems to focus on those people who can act in these arenas. As the subject matter is rather broad, many audiences can be addressed. In "Transforming Conservation," obviously those environmentalists are being addressed in attempt to get these already opinionated people on board.

Transforming Conservation Analysis

In "Transforming Conservation" released by Issues in Science and Technology in the Fall 2010, the author acknowledges the possible counter arguments to create an effective argument for changing the conservation biology used in the United States. It is explained very effectively in a way that persuades the reader in a non-biased way .

The author explains that with global warming and global climate change, the conversational biology standards must be changed. Expectations and policies need to be adapted to the new conditions. In conclusion, this article calls for some sort of action to be taken. Many possible counter arguments are presented to show that the author has done research and is being as reasonable as possible while still getting the point across. It is acknowledged that the "challenge of restructuring conservation biology is daunting," and then he offers a practical plan of where to begin. He subtly addresses a possible counter argument by explaining how changing the conservation biology in the US can help the whole world, giving more importance to the the issue and answering anyone who might say that this will do little to help the world and we should focus on a larger perspective. He suggests as part of his ideas for conservation biology changes that relocating endangered species could be "risky business" and then presents what could help prevent the risk. As the article is concluded, the author states humbly and boldly that some sort of action must be taken, while acknowledging that others may have better ideas. The important part is action.

The author addresses the counter arguments to make his own opinion less biased and helps the reader respect his ideas.

Reverse Outline- Transforming Conservation

How to continue to save species, ecosystem services, and "wild" ecosystems under current and anticipated global warming.

-Restructuring conservational biology- next challenge.

-unify conservation strategies, targets

-jumps start a new era or conservation

-US changing conservation strategies helps global issues as well because:

-US can serve as a model

-different land management agencies have different goals

-US is a leader in global conservation

-data shows ecological variability on our continent

-cannot hold ourselves to the same standard of conservation

-species change with climate, we have to change expectations

-help species adapt

-standards for land managers about ecosystem properties

-more about genus than species

-deviations from expectations would indicate need for action

-relocation may be necessary

-difficult because may create big, human managed gardens and zoos, no more wild.

-create two sorts of nature reserves

-species reserves

-goal is saving species, bring in endangered for relocation to help them.

-wildlife reserves

- mimic ecological processes; put them in situations where they will succeed

-initiate action now, given the rapid rate our globe is changing.

Climate Change Overview states the Facts about Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases

In "Climate Change Overview" released by the International Databases in 2009, the author addresses those with little knowledge about climate change and global warming and tries to inform and influence them using facts and logic. He sites the era and difference in temperature to show the affects of greenhouse gases and create a sense of urgency among his readers.

The author starts off by giving a strong background and a base knowledge of greenhouse gases and how they work. He explains exactly what happens in a very basic way so the reader can understand the process. He provides much factual evidence and largely appeals to logos. First he says that because of natural greenhouse effects, the average temperature of the earth is fifty seven degrees Fahrenheit, and that if the "natural greenhouse effect did not exist, the average temperature would be around minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit." The author continues by explaining the additional greenhouse gases emitted because of industrialization and how the concentration of greenhouse gases has increased. It is stated that now, "the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is 385 parts per million" and "before industrialization it was about 280 parts per million. It would have been helpful if he would have explained these units a bit. This evidence, the author claims, correlates directly with the warming of the earth when it is stated that the " greenhouse effect is becoming stronger, and therefore the earth is becoming warmer." The evidence that the average temperature of the earth has risen in the same time period by .74 degrees Fahrenheit supports this. The language used in this article is very fair, and there is almost no appeal to emotion, leaving these facts and logic to provide the major force of influence.

This article does leave out, however, many possible counter arguments. There is no acknowledgment or explanation of what people are saying to argue against these facts. Certainly there are many who present facts contrary to those presented in this article, and the argument could have been strengthened by recognizing explaining those facts.

In this article, the author uses basic, logical reason, or an appeal to logos, to persuade the audience concerning global warming and greenhouse gases.