In my comparative research paper, “Cesarean Sections on Maternal Request,” I discuss the drastic growth of cesarean deliveries as a result of maternal request and the coinciding health complications that may occur with this elective procedure. The paper analyses and compares five different articles regarding cesarean sections on maternal request, before synthesizing this information into the concluding idea that such procedures should not be undertaken where an underlying medical imperative is absent. The paper therefore aims to persuade readers to accept this conclusion through use of the rhetorical strategies of appeal to logos and inductive reasoning.
The strength of article came from the appeal to logos, which was created through the use of comprehensive research data to support my argument. By comparing many articles on the chosen topic, I was able to examine data from a variety of different sources, most of which supported a common hypothesis concerning elective cesareans. By using articles from a variety of different perspective, I attempted to remove any suggestion of bias in the paper. At the same time, the use of data from medical articles in peer-reviewed journals ensured the credibility of my argument. This use of credible, reputable research data from a variety of sources and perspectives helped to create a strong appeal to logos for the reader, showing how my recommendations are a logical response to the facts of this issue.
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In terms of organization, I used inductive reasoning to formulate my argument, leading my readers from specific examples to a generalized conclusion. I organized my essay in a progressive style, providing the readers with an understanding of the subject through examples from research data to demonstrate why this situation is such a problem. I began by acknowledging the reasons and persuading factors influencing mothers to choose elective caesarean sections. This laid the foundation for the rest of my paper by exposing the mindset that motivates mothers to choose elective caesarians. For example, the Arulkumaran and Devendra article, “Should Doctors Perform an Elective Caesarean Section on Request?” (1998), describes the social factors that persuade these mothers to choose elective caesarians. However, this information was supported by data from the Amu, Rajendran and Bolaji article, “Maternal Choice Alone Should Not Determine Method of Delivery” (1998), which provides a contrasting viewpoint on the medical benefits of C-sections that also play a role in determining mothers’ delivery preferences.
Having first provided readers with data and examples about the background to the issue, I was then able to discuss the complications and health dangers represented by these procedures. The article from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request” (2007), for example, discusses the risks of this pre-labor procedure and the complications for both mother and baby that coincide. Similarly the article, “Should Doctors Perform an Elective caesarean Section on Request”, by Arulkumaran and Devendra (1998), focuses on the dangerous increase in mortality with C-section deliveries in comparison to vaginal deliveries. This evidence is provided to demonstrate that, while there are clear benefits to having a C-section, there are also significant dangers outweighing those benefits. In this way, the examples and data provided as background evidence are developed as the argument progresses, building an inductive argument which demonstrates that delivery due maternal request should not be pursued in the absence of medical imperatives.
It is this general position which my inductive argument leads to, and which forms the conclusion of my paper. I begin my conclusion by providing data pertaining to the statistical increase of this procedure, and how it has had an effect globally. I also acknowledge how this progressive increase in C-sections is independent from the variable of time in relation to the evolution of medical procedure. I discuss Madhukar Pai’s article, “Unnecessary Medical Interventions: Caesarean Sections as a Case Study” (2000), which examines the trends in South America, and shows that in this area the statistical increase is actually worse than in the United States. I compare this to Zhang’s article, “Cesarean delivery on maternal request in southeast China” (2008), which discusses the progressive increase in C-sections on maternal request in China. The comparison of the two articles shows the widespread nature of the problem. Exposing the global statistics demonstrates to readers that this is not merely a local problem, but in fact the rates are increasing just as much in other countries. This creates an appeal to ethos, suggesting to readers the need to act to alleviate this drastic increase in what is now recognized as a trend. Finally, my conclusion leads to a synthesis of these multiple strands of data and research to indicate that only one conclusion is logical: delivery due maternal request should not be pursued in the absence of medical imperatives.
By using the rhetorical strategies of appeal to logos and inductive reasoning, I crafted a paper that is in keeping with the professional style of medical writing, which builds an argument in which the readers are able to judge for themselves the strength of the conclusion based on data from a range of reputable sources and perspectives. In so doing, I present a strong case in favor of my argument.
- ACOG Committee Opinion No. 386: Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request. (2007). Obstetrics & Gynecology, 110(5), 1209-1212.
- Amu, O., Rajendran, S., & Bolaji, I. (1998). Maternal Choice Alone Should Not Determine Method of Delivery. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 317(7156), 463–465.
- Arulkumaran, S., & Devendra, K. (1998). Should doctors perform an elective caesarean section on request? BMJ : British Medical Journal, 317(7156), 462–465.
- Madhukar Pai. (2000). Unnecessary Medical Interventions: Caesarean Sections as a Case Study. Economic and Political Weekly, 35(31), 2755–2761.
- ZhangJ et al., Cesarean delivery on maternal request in southeast China, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2008, 111(5): 1077-1082.
