Running Head: Euthanasia

Euthanasia: Genre Analysis of an Article and a Video

Emmanuel Avila
University of Texas at El Paso

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Euthanasia: Genre Analysis of an Article and a Video

For most people the topic of euthanasia really came to the forefront of society during the
trial of Jack Kevorkian. He was an American pathologist, who in 1999, was arrested and tried for
his involvement in a case of voluntary euthanasia. More recently the discussion about assisted
suicide came to the forefront again when Brittany Maynard, an advocate of aid in dying, decided
to end her own life after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. As of 2016, several states
have made assisted suicide legal, with several more reviewing the subject in the legislature. What
makes this topic even more difficult is that America has a very deep religious foundation. In this
essay I will evaluate two genres, the first is Assisted Suicide a video in the Last Right series,
and an article by Rikard Friberg von Sydow entitled A Life in Need of Neither Protection Nor
Preservation: Joseph Fletcher, Downs Syndrome and Euthanasia.
Audience and Purpose
The first genre, Rikard Friberg von Sydows A Life in Need of Neither Protection Nor
Preservation: Joseph Fletcher, Downs Syndrome and Euthanasia, is an article published in
2014. The purpose of the article is to inform the reader about new legislation that was passed in
Belgium regarding Euthanasia, assisted suicide practices in Switzerland, and the critique of the
views of Joseph Fletcher a theology teacher of the late 1960s. The second genre, a video
Assisted Suicide in the Last Right series, tells the story of Sandy Trunzer a woman diagnosed
with a rare terminal illness, because of this she wishes to have her pacemaker turned off to end
her life.

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The intended audience of the article seems to be adults with an understanding, interest, or
those studying theology, as well as those interested in situational ethics. Since the audience for
the article are those interested in theology, one can infer that they are aware of the debate that has
been on going over euthanasia. The intended audience of the video are those individuals
interested in both documentaries and euthanasia, particularly in Canada, as that is where the
documentary was originally aired. Those individuals should already be aware of the ongoing
debate over euthanasia, as this is one in an ongoing series of many discussing assisted suicide.
For the article, the audience needs to know about theology, Christian ethic, situation ethic, and
basic knowledge of Down syndrome. For the documentary series, the audience should be aware
of the current laws in Canada regarding assisted suicide, and they should also be aware that the
makers of the series are showing real individuals suffering from debilitating illnesses who are
looking to end their lives.
The article is not very lengthy and the time required to read it will vary depending on the
individual reader. However, the terms and language used are very specialized, and if the reader is
not familiar with the vocabulary contained therein, it can prove difficult, and time consuming to
read. The video, unlike the article, is set in a time constraint, and the viewer requires about
seventeen minutes to watch it. If the viewer is interested in the subject matter, and is not bothered
by the emotional tone, the video should prove interesting and easy to watch.
Both genres are intended to inform, and persuade the audience, however they differ in the
manner and style in which they present the intended message. The article sets out to inform the
reader about the debate over euthanasia, and how it has changed over time. From the outset it is

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clear that the Sydow, the author of the article, does not agree with euthanasia, in fact his bias is
clear in the abstract, even before one gets to the introduction. In sharp contrast to the first genre,
the narrator of the video does not present his opinion, and is merely interested in telling the
audience the story of the subject, in this case Sandy Trunzer, his tone and demeanor remain
unchanged throughout leaving the viewer to form their own opinion. Sandy Trunzer herself, the
subject of the documentary, intends to persuade the audience that her right to die with dignity is
her own, and that she should be allowed to end her life. The two genres also differ quite
substantially on the language used. The language in the article is very formal, although Sydow
makes his personal objection to euthanasia evident, he constructs a rather objective argument,
and presents it to the reader in a rather eloquent fashion. The documentary is a combination of
formal and informal, the narrator remains formal throughout, only interested in informing the
audience about the details of Sandy Trunzers situation. Sandy, on the other hand, clearly has an
agenda, she is informal when addressing the audience. Because her goal is to persuade the
audience that she should be allowed to end her life, her informal and candid nature serves better
to set the viewer at ease. The article uses a quite extensive specialized language, the author uses
terms such as ad hoc, situation ethics, and kairos. Considering his target audience the
specialized language should serve the articles purpose rather well. The video does not use much
if any specialized language, instead relying on Sandy to tell her own story in a very human
context. This rather informal delivery will help to draw in individuals who are casual fans of a
documentary. The only similarities between the two genres is the subject of euthanasia. The
article discusses Down syndrome in children, the author expresses his opinion on the subject

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various times, and the tone throughout is extremely formal. In sharp contrast the videos subject is
an adult, the narrator is objective, and the overall format is informal.
Ethos
The author, Sydow, presents his credentials as a Dr. in Theological ethics to the reader so
as to establish the articles credibility. Furthermore, his knowledge of different areas speaks
volumes. The only problem the reader may have is the presentation of his personal bias
throughout the article. The documentary series is the product of a well-known and respected
Canadian television news program, The National, which establishes the credibility of the series.
The professional nature of the anchor/narrator also does a great deal to convince the viewer that
the program is credible.
Pathos
The author of the article, as I mentioned before, states his opinion against euthanasia,
however, he never uses an emotional appeal when doing so. He is relying completely on ethics,
and a heavy dose of situation ethics to make his argument. As such, the article reads rather
robotic, unlike the video which takes a more humanistic approach, and the reader may even find
themselves bored at times. The video is filled with emotional appeals, and it is hard, even
impossible, to not feel extreme sympathy for Sandy and her daughter. The way she discusses her
illness and her desire to end her life is at times heartbreaking. The way her daughter discusses the
sadness over eventually losing her mother can connect with just about anyone.
Logos

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The article uses logos via the way in which the ethical argument is worded, which
appeals to the audience. The fact that the author is well educated in his field makes him more
reliable to put forth the information. However, since the debate is an ethical one involving
euthanasia, ultimately logos does not play the deciding factor. The second genre, like the first,
relies mostly upon an ethical debate. The woman in the video uses the legality of her decision to
turn off her pacemaker as the logos for the audience to agree with her. While many rely upon the
legal system to determine what is logical, for the viewer to make up his or her mind, again the
eventual decision will come out of a moral and ethical individual stance.
Structure and Delivery
The first genre is put together quite well from a structural view. The delivery flows well,
beginning with the topic, then constructing an argument that inevitably comes to a solid
conclusion. Because of the topic, the second genre works more effectively in the delivery.
Seeing, and effectively meeting a person actually contemplating euthanasia, resounds more
powerfully than simply reading an opinion on the subject. The structure of the documentary is
professionally put together, and is pleasing to watch from an audience perspective.
Conclusion
After considering all the factors important to a genre my conclusion is that the video
conveyed the message in a more effective manner. The bias of the author can leave a bitter taste
in the audiences pallet, especially if one does not necessarily share the same beliefs with said
author. Although the woman in the video is also arguably biased, the video puts a more human
touch on the topic, as opposed to the robotic tone of the article. Ultimately deciding on what

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genre to use can prove very important. The topic one is discussing is inevitably the deciding
factor when deciding on which genre will be more useful in reaching the intended audience.

References
Harrison, M. (Producer). (2013, November 25). The national [Television broadcast]. Toronto,
Canada: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Von Sydow, R. F. (2014). A life in need of neither protection nor preservation: Joseph
Fletcher, Downs syndrome and euthanasia. Ecumenical Review Sibiu, 6, 246-258.