Chemistry Goes Green: Nature Chemistry, Essay Example

Introduction

Rhetorical strategies aim to provide deeper meaning to most written works. This applications are adapted to help readers relate to the written works accordingly. Communities of discourse evaluate the rhetoric situation presented within a text as they try to examine the context and meaning of the work. Concepts, ideas and subjects are evaluated through correlative meanings and relations that exist within text adding more logical arguments to the reasoning of the work as whole. Improving the meaning of the literary piece through the utilization of rhetorical pieces provide a distinct indication of power on how the words and phrases would implicate a new understanding or a new realization amongst the readers of the piece.

To note the process of using such strategies, this presentation shall analyze the use of rhetorical strategies in “Chemistry Goes Green,” by James H. Clark. In his article, “Chemistry Goes Green,” he analyzes the constructed chemicals through the use of clean sustainable technology. The article does not include of any contradictory data or research that might disprove Clark’s position. This makes it very clear that Clark’s main goal is to persuade his readership. Mainly, in this analytical paper, a focus on how Clark presents his data and how he intends to affect his readers shall be given examined in context. To further strengthen his presentation, Clark uses a wide range of rhetorical strategies, such as establishing sound ethos and logos, amplifying his arguments, and utilizing cause and effect to persuade the reader. These rhetorical tools in which the author utilizes in this article to support his claim will be analyzed to be able to create a distinct presentation of the extensive value of the article.

Analysis of Cause and Effect

Declines in fossil fuel reserves, the impact of hazardous chemicals on the environment, as well as other wasteful processes have resulted in a growing interest in green technologies. Green chemistry, as a process of developing new medicines and other compounds often used to create products for business, is presented by Clark to be among the best approaches to the process of creation that the world embraces at present. Through proper research and developed information, Clark presents his idealisms about green chemistry according to how it relates to the development the world undergoes at present. Those who might criticize his work could even find his logic useful for their political and profit-oriented goals [as exposed by Clark himself in the article].

The rhetorical strategy of cause and effect is defined by actions and events associated with that peculiar action. It helps the author organizes the ideas that are abstract to the audience. Through the use of cause and effect, Clark demonstrates how policies and legislation developed into environmentally conscious protocols. In the article he notes that, “the legislative, economic and social drivers for change now influence all the stages of a chemical product’s life-cycle. Diminishing… highlighted for oil but in reality the problem is much wider” (Clark 12). He presents this perspective indicating that the use of chemistry to develop alternative cleaner compounds has been high, because of past impacts of waste and hazardous chemicals on the environment. Moreover, Clark indicates that there has been mounting pressure from this growing awareness with non-government organizations. It results extreme changes on how chemists, biologists and engineers utilize green technology, which can serve as an alternative method for sustaining the environment. The rhetorical strategy of cause and effect successfully assisted the author to communicate with the audience. Clark suggests implementing green energy in the field and accounting past experiment mistakes. In addition; he credits pressure from the people and NGOs as the driving force that led to significant growth in the Evaluation, Authorization, European Registration, and Restriction of Chemical substances. Clark utilizes all of this information to present an argument to the reader that there is substantial need for expanding research in food stocks as a source for alternative energy and green technologies.

Amplification

Amplification is a rhetorical strategy where the author provides extensive detail to emphasis the validity and importance of an argument. Clark’s main argument is not just that green technology in chemistry will serve as the future source of sustainable energy , but that extensive focus on research need to be invested in this field in order to ensure it happens in due time. He emphasizes this point through the use of the rhetorical strategy of amplification, by pointing out where green chemistry is vulnerable and then going into great detail on regards to the necessary precautions to fill those gaps. Clark’s states that biology and chemistry will need to interface in order to bring about this change and then details exactly why by giving examples of limitations in contrast with their plausible potential. For example, Clark states, “we need to develop synthetic pathways starting from the oxygenated and hydrophilic molecules…we cannot afford to include wasteful and costly steps before these synthetic transformations. A wider range of chemistry in water will help…” (Clark 12). Through the use of amplification, Clark is able to make a bold statement like ‘green chemistry is the answer to pollution’ and then provide a detailed explanation of why, all the while keeping the main theme alive of his call to action for more research and innovation.  By doing this it adds new layers to Clark’s argument and substantial logic. It is debatable to whether or not the science he uses goes over the heads of his readers.

Ethos

Ethos in rhetorical writing represents the moral element that determines a character’s actions. Ethos plays a significant part in establishing the author’s credibility and whether the reader can view their arguments as ideologically based.  In the article, James H. Clark establishes himself as an authority. He elaborates his credentials as a York University Professor on the subject. Once he has established this position, the research he presents holds more credibility. Clark continues on through his article by presenting a wide range of facts concerning the use of hazardous fossil fuels, the environment, and the history of environmental legislation surrounding it. Clark hints towards a moral, theme or argument in transitional sentences, which assures the ethos he establishes in the beginning of the article. Therefore, he finally makes his point in the closing paragraphs. The closing paragraph of the article is when Clark introduces his option about green technology and its use in chemistry to create sustainable energy sources; however, he has established himself as a credible and informed source on the subject, minimizing his bias in the eyes of the reader. He argues that “the challenge for green chemistry is …the substitutes” (Clark 12). By setting up Clark’s argument in this pattern, his position comes across as an ethical appeal.

Logos

The Logos in rhetorical writing means reasoning with data and statistics to persuade the audience particularly and readers generally. The logic of the article is designed to use the current trends in chemistry, environmental policy, and legislation, to introduce the argument that green chemistry and further research in the field can reduce the global energy crisis. Clark argues that “today’s waste can be tomorrow’s resource” and he supports this argument with detailed scientific analysis of chemical compounds and their historical use. The problem with the logos of this article is the fact that it is appealing to a reader that is either already in favor of green technology, specifically biodegradable fossil fuels, or one who might be on disagreement.

Any reader who is already against the shift towards alternative energy would view the bulk of Clark’s article as propaganda. This is clearly indicating that topic he is covering is already a controversial issue. The main logical point Clark takes from all of his presented research is that, “more research is currently needed to address the challenges that REACH…. more environmentally benign products are required in just about every commercial sector, with particular emphasis on flame retardants, plasticizers, adhesives and primers” (Clark 12). He bases this on the majority of information and arguments he made in the amplification segment of his article. In essence, this call to action, and it’s the logical, natural progression of the concerns he presents early on in the piece..

Conclusion

The Rhetorical strategies utilized by Clark in “Chemistry goes green” state his final argument to come across as an ethical appeal for saving the environment. The problem is Clark’s article is still bounds within the rules of rhetoric in which it was composed. On the surface, the community of discourse in which the article comes across as academic or journalistic circles; when in reality, the article is as science based as it is political. The topic of alternative energy, green technology and the role chemistry plays in it, is a sensitive issue throughout the globe. The research Clark presents and arguments he makes contributes to the community discourse on how governments should draft environmental legislation. While Clark establishes an ethos of him being a credible academic authority on the topic, and he presents logical support for his positions on the subject, to view his argument as 100 percent factual and completely un-bias would be to read his article in a vacuum independent of the outside interests involved.

Work Cited

Clark, James H. “Chemistry goes green. “Nature chemistry 1.1 (2009): 12-13.