Rhetorical Analysis

Najala Howell
Rhetoric 1302
12 February 2016
Rhetorical Analysis
Ted Talks expose many different controversial topics, not only do they expose but they
also reveal many individuals personal perspectives on controversial topics. One topic that is
discussed is on Ted Talk is child abuse. Child abuse has many negative effects on our younger
and future generations, as well as contributing to a great variety of humanitys misfortunes.
According to Nadine Burke Harris (the speaker on this specific Ted Talk video), argues to her
audience How Child Hood Trauma Effects Health Across a Lifetime. This rhetorical analysis will
discuss how Nadine Burke Harris persuades her audience, as well as informing her audience
about this extremely sensitive and controversial topic.
Harriss argument was extremely simple although she did elucidate her argument in a
more demanding and influential way. Harris argued that the people are the movement,
individuals have the power to make an enormous difference in the effects of child hood trauma.
Harriss main focal point in this Ted Talk was explaining to her audience that is not such that the
trauma is demoralizing, but more so how the trauma is demoralizing at a young age, because of
the stress factor. According to Harriss Ted Talk early adversity causes early death, early heart
disease, and early cancer.
The intended audience for this Ted Talk specifically about child hood trauma is directed
towards the general public. Those who are literate with comprehending abilities of every age, sex
color and race. This audience is intended for those who were involved in child hood trauma, as
well as those who have some type of authority to prevent childhood trauma for another younger
individual. The rhetor is even addressing those who are involved and even initiate child hood
trauma. In this Ted Talk it is quite noticeable and obvious that the intended audience Harris is
aiming for are those individuals who have the power to prevent child hood trauma. Those
individuals that have children, as well as those who are considering to have children. For
example Harris uses a lot of emotion and diction telling the audience who she wants to listen.
Although she knows that there are some individuals who may have a more probable chance of
not listening to her argument, she continued to strongly justify why she wants her audience to be
advocates and stand up for future generations; with a well written foundation of elements that
backed up her argument.
Harris established her credibility in an excellent fashion. In Fact, most of her argument
was made up of the use of logos and ethos. There were many point that the rhetor touched using
logos. Harris used statistics, facts, and testimonies to support her claim, which all smoothly were
composed together. Harris also used reason and also had no logic lapses. She also addressed
other authoritative viewpoint, even those who disagreed with her. Her argument was strongly
based off cause and effect as well, which provided much support for her reasoning. Harris also
uses an anecdote as an easier way to break down any complicity on this sensitive subject. Harris
even shared some of her own experiences to help support her claim. For example, she explains
that she began reading everything that she could get her hands on about child hood trauma, and
eventually Harris and her colleagues began to run test; experiments on individuals that
experienced child hood trauma. This information provided a passage way to the science that
would back up her argument. Which led to the ethos she used in her argument, which also
strongly supported her claim. To support her claims she used trustworthy individuals who has
documented credibility; such as doctors. In addition to others, she also used her own expertise as
credibility from being a doctor, and researcher.
The emotions that the rhetor evoked in the audience was admiration and confidence. That
is because of her deliverance, which was remarkable. The rhetoric technique she used was
pathos, to give that type of effect to her audience. She did not use pathos much verbally, but she
used it much emotionally and physically. It was times in the video that the audiences emotions
and reactions were shown in the video because of the way her deliverance was effecting them.
The audience could tell that the rhetor was extremely emotionally and passionate about this topic
which evoked a lot of enthusiasm and confidence for them. Her style gave the audience a
sensibility and comfort; mainly by the use of her body language and choice of diction. For
example, the way she used hand motions, eye contact and a very strong voice made the audience
act physically back towards the rhetor. There were those in the audience who was crying, some
the look of anger in their face, and some even were sitting in the edge of their seats they were so
engaged. The audience could tell that she was there to give her all and be a help to her
community the best way that she can
Harriss argument was extremely essential because of the audience she intends to
persuade. Not only does she try to persuade the inner community to better themselves, but this
argument is targeted globally which is countless. Harriss argument was extremely effective
because she was confident about her work. The audience could tell she had reason, logic and put
in a lot of time in effort on her research; which is why she had the audiences attention. Her work
and structure was also very organized , and she did not create any confusion for her audience.
She made it interesting using rhetorical questions, sarcasm; and also used a little humor for a
very serious topic. In all this rhetor was very successful in delivering and providing credible
information for her argument, which appealed to the audience at a very significant level.

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Najala Howell

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