Question

"An unhealthy diet is a major cause of “non-communicable diseases” such as heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and strokes. Such diseases accounted for 66% of deaths in Nepal in 2017. A report this year by the UN’s children agency, Unicef, found that 43% of Nepalese children are either stunted or overweight."

In three to five sentences, analyze the use of rhetoric in the excerpt. What kind of appeal does the author make in this excerpt and what effect does the appeal have?

Answer 1

In the excerpt, the author employs a combination of logos and pathos to highlight the dire consequences of an unhealthy diet on public health in Nepal. The use of statistics—such as the percentage of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases and the prevalence of stunting and overweight among children—serves to logically demonstrate the severity of the issue, effectively engaging the reader's rationality. Additionally, the mention of children affected by poor diet adds an emotional appeal, invoking a sense of urgency and concern about the future of the nation's youth. This dual appeal not only informs the audience but also encourages a deeper emotional response, prompting the reader to consider the broader implications for society and health policy.