Running head; ABORION RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Controversy of Abortion
Marcos A. Cobos
University of Texas at El Paso
Professor Salome
English 1312: Research and Critical Writing

Running head; ABORION RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Controversy over Abortion

Since the legalization of abortion in the United States back in 1973, the topic has been
one of the most controversial issues that appear in our society. Always showing up as the topic to
talk about by the media, who has been doing a good job of keeping it always updated. It is an
issue that cannot be just covered up and ignored. Political debates, street protest, religion
interference, books, and television shows have built up due to this issue. For example, a blog
uploaded an image titled Weve all been here: Stop abortion now to their webpage as an attempt
to stop abortion. Other people have different ways of communicating with the public. Such is
the case of Debbie Leads who writes many types of poems to express her feelings. But one in
specifically that has to do with abortion is the one titled My Sweet Wonderful Child. Which talks
about the main characters emotional experience she goes through, after the abortion procedure
had already been done on her. With these two genres one being visual and the other a text poem
will be analyzed throughout the paper. Focusing on the issue of abortion.
Audience and Purpose
On the first genre the audience can be as broad as to anyone who has the ability to read
English. With only seven simple words and only one of them being a simple conjunction. A huge
audience could be gained thanks to that. But considering also that the first four words are weve
all been there, is trying to avoid any differences and set the audience as a whole. However on
second genre has a much smaller audience due to its structure. The text is actually a poem,
which not everyone is able to comprehend the structure and meaning of one. The second thing is
that it involves Christianity believes like Jesus Christ has shown me... (Leads, 2007), making it
less desirable to read by other people. Therefore a huge majority of the intended audience are
poem lovers and/or some form of Christian follower. But both of them have a purpose behind it.

Running head; ABORION RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

One the image, the intended purpose could be interpret as of form to persuade the audience to
stop abortion. The last three words stop abortion now (Weve all been there: Stop abortion
now, 2012), makes it very clear that it wants the audience to do something to stop abortion. Not
giving any form or specify way of how to do it. As long as it is done now, and that it is an act
against abortion. The second genres purpose though is more complicated and different than the
first. It can persuade to not commit abortion, but that it is not intention behind it. It never states a
verb of do something in favor or against abortion. Normally when a poet writes its poems, it is
either for entertainment and selling, or to express themselves on pen and paper. Which could be
more the case for why Debbie wrote this. The poem is written in first person, so it is able to
offer that drama and intensity of what is going on in the characters life. Which is what some
people look for as a form of entertainment for themselves. For example the verse Forgiving
myself as been tough/as well The toughest thing I ever did do,(Leads, 2007) is done with the
intention of expressing redemption of the character who commit abortion. Putting aside the
intention each genre could have, they share things in common. The formality of the language
used on each genre is not that sophisticated. As mentioned before the first genre can be
interpreted by anyone who can read English. But since the purpose is to make the audience act,
the audience now become those who can vote against it. Now, even though the second genre is a
poem it is not a very formal one. So anyone who is into poems and has at least the education of a
middle school student in English can understand the poem. So with that being said, the audience
grows at a much bigger population. But unfortunately in poetry they are many structure/rules
involved that do not let the poet have complete power on expressing themselves. For example
the poet might need to change a word or phrase in order to keep the rhythm and flow of the poem
going. Which is completely the contrary to the first genre, who makes it much simpler, direct,

Running head; ABORION RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

and broader than the second genre. And although this is true it is very limited to be able to
express what it wants in such a restricted area. It does a good job on layering the black
background, followed by the womb, and the text on top of everything making clean and simple
but not boring.
Rhetorical Issues
Which has to do a lot with the rhetorical elements that they use. Each one used creativity,
emotions, and logical ideas in the creation of there genre. So on the next part of this analysis we
will break down the ethos, pathos, and logos used on the genres.
Ethos
On the first genre, the creator(s) of the image want to give the audience the idea that they
can do something about it. Indirectly they give the assumption that abortion is real and is
happening now, but that the viewer can do something about it to make it stop. It is so simple yet
it has so much credibility in it. The fact that a clear image of a pregnant womb in the back, and
the text pronouncing weve all been there (Weve all been there: Stop abortion now, 2012),
make the audience to put themselves in the place of the unborn in which they once were. And
just like they once were all defenseless and dependable on the mother, so is the unborn child.
Which is completely different to what the second genre did. Debbie gives an example of a bad
experience a women can go through after the abortion process. Which is something rarely seen,
as most people only consider the situation of the creature inside the womb is in. I don't have
words to tell you how sorry I am/And how I wish I could change what I did (Leads, 2007).
Which is really creative because as no one could relate to an aborted child, but many can relate
to a pregnant woman.

Running head; ABORION RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Pathos
Throughout the analysis it has been mentioned that the creature inside the womb is
defenseless and dependable. You were 100% dependent on me/And I put out your flame
(Leads, 2007). Something that the creator of the first genre assumes its audience already knows.
With that in consideration the image intends to create some sort of pity, sympathy, and conscious
on the audience over the unborn. Not only that but it could in some cases even create anger in
those against abortion towards those who actually in favor. Which does not share much with
Debbies poem. What Debbie is looking for to evoke on its readers is redemption for
committing abortion. For example At the time I didn't know the ramifications/At the time I was
just a kid (Leads, 2007). Giving that sense of that abortion does not always turn out to be the
solution people look out for.
Logos
Both genres use simple logos that many know but do not consider many times. In the
first genre everyone knows that they come from the womb of a female. But when they debate
about it they normally ignore that fact. And treat it as if they had never been in that circumstance.
Same thing with the second genre. People always analyze the abortion process and the baby
having its life taken away. But they do not go over what can the females who committed
abortion feel some time after they process was done. The feeling of guilt can take over in many
cases and becomes really hard to fight off. Forgiving myself as been tough, as well/The
toughest thing I ever did do. (Leads, 2007)
Structure and Delivery
Even though both genres focus on the topic of abortion. Each one has its own way of getting the

Running head; ABORION RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

message through to its intended audience. On the first genre the whole image itself is very
simple, while it is direct and meaning full. The way that the text is the top layer of the image and
covers it all up with a big font crossing diagonally makes the audience glance at the entire image.
Then with the pregnant body behind it makes the audience realize that they also went through
that stage in life. And finally the dark background gives it that seriousness that abortion is not
good and something must be done. The second genre though uses a completely different
technique to deliver its message. First it does not use the support of any images. Instead it uses
a specific poem structure which gives it that flow from one focus to another while keeping it
under the topic of abortion. So even though poem is based on a bad it experience, it gives a
valuable lesson by the sequenced it used. Which at first is the innocence the character had in her
life, and the what if? questions she had in mind if her child was born. Then moved on to
regression of why she had accepted to have her baby aborted. And finally ending up with
forgiveness of herself and God. Kind of like a Cinderella story where after the terrible things she
went through, ended up with some good emotions.
Conclusion
In the end both of the genres support very well the message they intend to deliver to their
audience. And in some way manage to find a connection with the topic of abortion. Both were
unique, informal, and inoffensive which allow them to extend their audience to a much higher
level. But when they are put side to side, the first genre is easier to influence the audience, yet it
does not give information on what to do what they are persuaded to do. On the other hand even
though second genre is longer and harder to interpret, it makes it clear that abortion is not the
solution. In the end both genres try to invoke the idea that abortion is something that shouldnt
be done.

Running head; ABORION RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

References

Leads, D. (2007, December). My Sweet Wonderful Child. familyfriendspoems. Retrieved

September 4, 2014, from http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/religion-andabortion
We've all been here: stop abortion now! (2012, February 3). Discover Happiness. Retrieved
September 4, 2014, from http://loveundefiled.blogspot.com/2012/02/weve-allbeen-here-stop-abortion-now.html