Running head: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 1

Rhetorical Analysis on Federal Climate Change Programs and Policies

Nathaniel M. Arvizu

University of Texas at El Paso

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Abstract

Climate change is a global issue that continues to escalate over time, and many people

have taken stance on in it, and some have even published their findings to get their arguments

across. In this rhetorical analysis the book, Federal Climate Change Programs and Policies by

H. B. Worthington (2011), was analyzed to see if the rhetorical elements of ethos, pathos, and

logos, as well as having a targeted audience, helped supports the authors thesis on climate

change programs in the United States. By closely reading the text and studying on the different

rhetorical elements, it made finding them throughout the book easier. Once examples were found

they were compared to the authors thesis to see if they supported it. In this analysis ethos and

logos proved to be the authors choice of tools, with audience and pathos having minor roles in

aiding the thesis. This implies that the rhetorical elements looked at, as well as audience, are

useful tools to use when presenting an argument.

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Rhetorical Analysis on Federal Climate Change Programs and Policies

Introduction

Climate change is the change in climatic patterns caused by the release of carbon dioxide

into the atmosphere though the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels have been the source of

energy and power for humans since the industrial revolution and continue to be used today.

Businesses are the biggest contributors to climate change as they use larger amounts of fossil

fuels to power their factories and equipment. With carbon admission levels reaching dangerous

levels the United States government began to draw up laws and policies directed at climate

change. Harry B. Worthington (2011), editor and author of Federal Climate Change Programs

and Policies, argues that such programs and policies are beneficial and worth the effort as they

yield positive results. The rhetorical elements of ethos, logos, and pathos help support the

authors argument.

Audience

Worthington writes for a specific audience, a scholarly, academic audience. He chose to

support his argument focusing heavily on ethos and logos, both of which relate strongly to the

scholarly field. Most academics look for fact-based sources that are supported by detail and don't

rely on opinions. His book was geared to educate people on the programs of the United States

government to address climate change, and how they were paid for. Worthington can be seen

addressing this audience when he writes, "In examining the technology programs, this study

focuses on categories that correspond to areas in which there has been significant recent

spending..."(pg. 58). The choice of diction he uses calls out to the academic audience such as

categories, programs, and refereeing to his research as a study. These words are associated with

the scientific community and are mainly use when attempting to inform on a subject.
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Ethos

Worthington uses ethos to support his argument in order to assert his credibility. The first

way he does this is through the publisher of the book, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. The

publishers produce tons of new titles by leading researchers each year, thanks to a network of

expert authors, editors, and advisors who pursue advanced research developments (Nova Science

Publishers, 2018). By publishing through a renowned publisher of books of science and data, he

shows that what he wrote was credible in the eyes of professional science publisher. This is first

shown on the cover of the book with Nova symbol, and then actually written out on the third

page in. Another way Worthington uses ethos is by getting direct statements from Senators and

Representatives of the United States government. Worthington quotes from a speech presented

by Senator Max Baucus, "The acid rain program applied to fewer that 120 facilities

nationwide"(pg.76). This helps to show that the information he gathered is accurate as it comes

direct from a source of the government. Worthington uses other means to help support his

argument.

Logos

Logos is also used to support the argument, by showing how he backs up his thesis with

data. Throughout his book Worthington consistently uses statistics and certified data to back up

his claims. He shows tables comparing the spending rates on climate change throughout the

years as well as tables that show the spread of climate change all over the world. An example of

Worthington using logos can be seen when he writes, "ARRA's (American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act) appropriations accounted for 36 percent of total climate funding from 1998

through 2009, measured in 2009 dollars" (pg. 40). It shows that a government program was using

its funds to fight climate change for over ten years, which aides to strengthen his argument. Facts
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play a big part in establishing logos in a rhetorical writing and Worthington's writing is filled

with facts and data from noteworthy sources that can be checked. A fact used by Worthington

was that since 1998 over 80 percent of the United States' funds for climate programs has gone to

the Department of Energy (pg. 41). Here a clear organization is listed that shows where the data

can be verified at, as well as a date and figure to help set the parameters to check. There is

another way in which Worthington supports his argument, or rather lack of way.

Pathos

Worthington also uses pathos to support his argument, though he uses it in a clinical way.

Rather than try to appeal to the readers emotion to get his argument across Worthington avoids it

all together, choosing instead to rely more on ethos and logos. It is this lack of pathos that makes

his argument stronger with the other two devices, as both others are more fact driven. He takes

on a more scientific approach that benefits his argument, as it is displayed as a scientific finding

rather than an opinion based on belief. This means he was writing for a specific group of people.

Conclusion

Worthington argued in his book that the policies and programs of the United States

government was worth the money they were investing in them. He supported his argument with

ethos and logos, as while as choosing to omit pathos as a tool to support as well. He wrote this

book for an academic audience to be used to educate them on the topic. The rhetorical elements

and audience proved useful tools in aiding the author to make his point.
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References

Nova Science Publishers. About Us. Nova Science Publishers. Retrieved March 8, 2018. From

www.novapublishers.com/catalog/index.php?papge=help

Worthington, H. B. (2011). Federal climate change programs and policies. New York: Nova

Science Publishers, Inc.