NYT Editorial: The HPV Vaccine is for Their Own Good

Summary:
HPV stands for human papillomavirus, which is associated with cancers of the vulva and vagina in women, the penis in men, and anal and throat cancers in both men and women. Each year it causes cancer in 25000 men and women in the U.S. There is a vaccination which can dramatically decrease a person's susceptibility to the disease, but the vaccination is most effective when given to females and males from ages 11-13. Right now there's a push to require states to administer this vaccination, though it has been met with much opposition. The author is advocating for the requirement.

Author/Source:
There is a certain credibility that comes along with the name "The New York Times." Many consider this to be a very credible source of information. However, this is an editorial, which is based upon the opinion (albeit informed) of the editor.



Purpose: 
 "Public health officials should focus on increasing vaccination rates."- directly stated in article

Audience:
Readers of the New York Times and those who are not currently supporting the push to require states to administer this vaccinations 
Rhetorical Devices:
Classical arrangement- Starts of by giving the history of the problem (introduction/narration), hard facts which back his viewpoints (confirmation), gives examples of the opposition's  opinions and refutes it (refutation): "Conservative politicians have railed against the vaccine and the efforts by some states to require it. Many parents are appalled at the notion of vaccinating youngsters against a sexually transmitted virus before most have even begun to think about sex"; and concludes by summing up why the vaccination would be beneficial (summation)

Use of Topics- The author uses the cause and effect relationship topic in order to undermine claims that the vaccinations would not be cost effective. He argues that if the recommended persons get their vaccinations now, it will reduce the burden of illness and hospital bills in the future.

Ethos- The title itself establishes the credibility of the author. The title implies that the speaker is concerned only with the well-being of those affected and not motivated by personal gain.

Effectiveness:
I thought this was a very successful argument. Its primary appeal was to logic which, as seen in "Crito," can be a much more effective argument than emotion based appeals.