A Rhetorical Analysis of Article in Medical Journal Essay -- Literary

Family Psychoeducation for Schizophrenia has previously been supported in treatment recommendations and guidelines for best practise in hospitals. In their review of 15 new studies in the area, Lisa Dixon M.D (University of Maryland), Curtis Adams M.D (University of Maryland) and Alicia Luckstead M.D (University of Maryland) reinforce support for family psychoeducation for schizophrenia. The review â€Å"Update on Family Psychoeducation for Schizophrenia† aims to persuade the readership of the effectiveness of family psychoeducation and its remaining relevance. This is achieved in manner of ways. Credibility of the study is established a number of rhetorical techniques. These include using the author’s professional affiliations, citations from expert authorities, use of statistics, acknowledgment of limitations and comparison. Language and structure of the article are also discussed as rhetorical techniques used to enhance the authors arguments. â€Å"Update on Family Psychoeducation for Schizophrenia† was published in the March 2000 issue of the Schizophrenia Bulletin by Oxford Journals. Schizophrenia Bulletin is written for medical academics specialising in the field of Schizophrenia and assumes a background understanding of the field. However it is aimed at â€Å"the widest possible audience† (Oxford Journals, para 2, 2012) and thus seeks readership of those involved in the field, in a less medical nature also. The article begins by establishing the credibility of the authors. Their professional competency is established through the acknowledgement of their professional affiliations. These professional affiliations and subsequent status increases their credibility in terms of their authority and knowledge on the subject. Lisa... ...yout of the article also further enhanced the author’s argument, in following AMA guidelines. This method of presentation, of the author’s beliefs allowed for succinct informing of the reader. The efficacy and relevance of Psychoeducation and why it should ensure Psychoeducation's place in best practise hospital guidelines is competently argued and clearly presented throughout the article . Reference List: Dixon, L., Adams, C., & Luxsted A. (2000) Update on Family psychoeducation for Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 26 (1) 5-2. Lehman, A. F., Lieberman, J. A., & Dixon, L. B. (2004) Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, . American Journal of Psychiatry, 161 (2) 1 -56. Oxford University Press. (2012) About Us. Retrived 2012, May 10 from http://www.oxfordjournals.org/about_us.html