Running Head: CLINICAL ONCOLOGY

The Importance of Clinical Trials in the study of Oncology

Alexandra Beard
The University of Texas at El Paso
Dr. Vierra
English 1302: Rhetoric and Composition

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Clinical Trials and Oncology

Oncology; the study of cancer, has made advances since its genesis, in preventing,
diagnosing, and treating the disease. One main contributing factor to its advancements is the use
of clinical trials. These numerous tests play an important role in medicine, as they test new
medical approaches on people and determine their effectiveness. Many genres have brought
attention to this disease and its accompanying factors both locally and nationally. This topic is
being brought up by two sources that support the use of clinical trials in the study of oncology,
and support their claim with medical evidence. The first genre is a digital source; How Do
Cancer Clinical Trials Work and Should You Participate? It was published by the Oncology
Associates on August 19, 2015. The YouTube video briefly explains the effectiveness of the
clinical trial process through the view of Dr. Stephen Lemon, who also describes the different
trial phases, and how cancer patients choose to volunteer for these studies based on certain
criteria. The second genre, a scholarly book, is titled Oncology edited by Jerome B. Block, M.D.
and was published in 1982. Although the second source is much older than the first, it is just as
informative. In the scholarly book, several editors provide medical information and evidence to
support their claim that clinical trials are crucial when studying oncology. This paper will
examine which genre best describes clinical trials and their contributions to the study of
oncology.
Structure and Delivery
The effectiveness of a genres ability to display information depends on its structure and
delivery, and can be affected by each genres freedoms and limitations. The first genre has the

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advantage of having certain freedoms such as accessibility. Because it is a digital source on the
internet, it is more obtainable than other sources. Its online location allows the authors/
publishers to display any information, whether it is accurate or not, although it can sometimes
damage its credibility. There are no limitations when it comes to language and style of
presentation in the first genre; however, there are certain limitations within the second genre, due
to its involvement with a number of editors. During the editing process there is a limit as to what
and how information is presented. Because it is a scholarly book, there are expectations for
formal language and vocabulary, and these are met throughout the entirety of the book. This also
has the advantage of having no time limit, meaning it can be as long as the author may seem fit.
Online sources can be altered whenever, while the book cannot and remains the same. One main
difference that can easily be detected is that an online source can be both oral and visual, while a
book can only be visual. These two genres are very distinct from each other in the way they
present the information. Because the design and layout of a source plays a significant role in
how the information is received by the audience, it is important that each genre do what it can to
display it as effectively as possible.
Audience and Purpose
A genres audience and purpose are the reason to deliver information, so it is crucial that
the selected audience interprets that knowledge successfully. The first genre, the Oncology
Associates YouTube online source, designed its video for those who are somewhat educated, yet
uninformed about the topic. Like most genres, its main purpose is to raise awareness; however,
this source goes into depth by informing potential clinical trial volunteers and/or cancer patients.
Their goal is to persuade people as well, resulting in them becoming more involved in clinical
trials that contribute to medicinal advances in oncology. The second genre, Jerome B. Blocks

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Oncology, directs its information to a more specific audience. Unlike the first audience, this book
is used to further inform the other side of those involved in clinical trials; the doctors and
physicians. This extremely knowledgeable source focuses on informing medical professionals, or
an academic group that is more than likely a middle class or upper class audience, about clinical
trials, and other important contributing factors of oncology. These two genres are similar in the
amount of time that is required from the audience to make a difference. Because the topic is
regarding clinical trials and medical tests, it would take the designated audience a large amount
of time to participate. The only thing that is expected from the audience is their cooperation and
support for the cause. For the online source, the audience is nudged towards taking part in these
trials, while the book encourages doctors and medical practitioners to conduct these studies. Both
genres have served their purpose and have managed to reach out to a local and nationwide
audience, while encouraging general awareness.
Rhetorical Issues
Both genres have used rhetorical factors to display their information, however,
their methods of applying them vary depending on the freedoms and limitations of each genre.
Ethos
The first genre presents its information through Dr. Stephen Lemon, while the second
genre consists of chapters written by oncology doctors, giving both genres a very high sense of
credibility. Both genres that are taken into consideration have the advantage of being either
presented, written, or published by medical doctors or individuals who are well informed in the
field of oncology. Both genres are effective in achieving the purpose because the information is

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being displayed/ given by people with experience, meaning the audience is more likely to listen
and take in that knowledge that is being offered to them.
Pathos
If an author deices to further connect with the audience, he/she will incorporate emotional
aspects to their work, thus achieving pathos. The first genre (digital source) is mostly informative
and gives direct information. Although it may not evoke an immediate emotional response from
the audience, it manages to get the audience to think of how the issue affects so many people,
consequently making them want to contribute to the cause. The same goes for the second genre
(scholar book) because it too is an informative source. The fact that the genres approach the issue
using medical terms and statistics makes it hard for pathos to immediate take place. After
watching/ reading both genres, the audience might feel compelled to help the cause, and might
even feel a sense of sadness towards those affected by the issue. The reason why pathos is hard
to identify in these sources is because they are achieving their purpose to directly inform the
audience from an educational perspective. Despite this minute limitation, pathos can be
identified in both genres.
Logos
The two genres use statistics, graphs, medical terminology, and the personal experiences
of the authors to support their claims. This type of evidence is crucial when presenting a medical
related topic to an audience who is either uninformed or well informed. The evidence that both
genres use is appropriate for the purpose they are trying to achieve, because their main goal is to
inform the audience. When informing an audience, it is important to prove and support the claim
with facts and statistics, not just with personal opinions.

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Conclusion
Genres 1 and 2 both have the same purpose, although they might provide the information
differently. Both genres also successfully support each of their claims with the use of logos. The
main difference is the manner in which the information is being presented. One source uses a
video to present information, while the other uses paragraphs from different editors to make a
claim. If either genre were missing any of these components, their purpose would regrettably
fail to be achieved the way they were meant to. This would keep the message from being
completely useful, understandable, or applicable. Although some of these factors may not be
obvious to identify, they still exist within both genres. The digital source did a great job at
communicating its claim to its appointed audience. The video was concise, and was filled with
only the information that was necessary to know. The scholarly book also accomplished to
communicate the claim effectively by supporting its argument appropriately. The second genre
(scholarly book) was more effective in conveying its message, due to its educational approach
and informative evidence that backed up its claim in a detailed manner. The second genre is also
of greater value to scholars building new knowledge because its supportive information has
been proven and can be used to create new and useful information. At the end of the day, it is up
to the selected audiences to decide how they choose to interpret the information and how to
apply that knowledge into their lives.
References

Block, J. B. (Ed.). (1982). Oncology New York : Wiley, 1982. Retrieved from http://0search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04704a&AN=nug.b10124
61&site=eds-live&scope=site

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How do cancer clinical trials work and should you participate? (2015). Retrieved
from https://youtu.be/baXHm9RvBuk