Winifred Gallagher's Rhetorical Analysis: The Focused Life

Rachel Totos
Rhetorical Analysis- “The Focused Life”
Is it a Focused Life? “We’re all amateur psychologists who run private experiments on how best to live” (Gallagher, 1). Thinking deeply about this quote, creates the realization that it is true and that nearly everyone does this subconsciously. Winifred Gallagher, the author of Rapt, believes that the real problem is that we do not perceive our individual ability to utilize our attention to focus and create a better future for ourselves. As a supporter, one would feel that Gallagher presents her argument in a very effective way by utilizing the three main rhetorical analysis tools: ethos, pathos, and logos. Ethos creates a balance between the three—it is all about credibility or how likeable someone is. Pathos is the passion or emotion expressed throughout an argument. If done correctly, pathos is the glue that binds it all together (Shadesbreath, 5). Lastly, logos is about the logic and facts behind the
argument. Although, we cannot believe everything we see or hear—“Liars figure and figures lie” (Shadesbreath, 5). This article has the potential to persuade a wide variety of audiences; those who are looking at alternative and creative ways to do more for themselves, those trying to create a more valuable experience in life, or others studying the subject of “focus and attention” may be the secondary audience. “In midlife, an attention experiment of a different magnitude set me on a path to a deeper understanding of the subject” (Gallagher, 1). Winifred Gallagher is a science writer, journalist, formerly a psychology editor of American Health, and The New York Times’ daily most e-mailed list. Gallagher establishes ethos by telling her story about her battle with cancer. She stated that as much as her cancer tried to control her attention, she did her best to stay focused on all of the positive things in life, leading her towards a better outcome. Having self-control to stay focused on what is really important can make a big difference, as well as being a vital step in the right direction. Gallagher has done extensive neuroscience research, but nothing beats experiencing and conquering a life changing experience. “I spent very little time and energy on the past or future or on the suddenly very many things that seemed unimportant or negative” (Gallagher, 1). After Gallagher’s life altering experience, she decided to stand by the principle that one’s life is the creation of what one does or does not focus on. “As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “To fill the hour—that is happiness.”” (Gallagher, 2). Gallagher’s argument while using pathos was weaker than expected. Granted, too much pathos is not very effective when trying to persuade others. Gallagher lacked emotion about the subject of focus and attention. As the reader, it was unclear if she was concerned with the worlds’ ability to utilize attention, or if she was just so passionate about what she had learned through her own experiences that she felt the need to share them with the world. The little emotion she did express about her personal experience was quite powerful and raises some realization to take a step back and think about what is really important in life and what is not. With that, Gallagher also stated that it should not take a crisis or unfortunate event to show one that life is what they make it through attention and focus.
“John Milton might have been thinking of the power of focus when he wrote: “The mind is its own place, and in itself / Can make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heav’n.”” (Gallagher, 2). Gallagher mentioned that attention can be very beneficial, distilling “the universe into your universe” (Gallagher, 2). Properly utilizing logos in rhetorical analysis means that one must present their facts logically. Gallagher mentioned an insight made through neuroscience research done on attention and how its basic system is simply a process of selection. Gallagher’s approach to utilizing logos was done fairly well, although, too much logos can make the argument boring and dry. Granted the logic she presented was not scholarly or overall scientifically proven, she showed that she knew a lot about the subject through her own experiments, research, and personal experiences. Being persuaded by her outlook on life leads to learning about what needs to be done to create a better life experience. She presented her logos logically, and by doing so made the article more interesting and easy to comprehend. “Your life—who you are, what you think, feel, and do, what you love—is the sum of what you focus on” (Gallagher, 1).
The main idea that Gallagher was presenting was the fact that life is the creation of what one does and does not focus on. Nowadays, people need to stay focused and pay more of their attention on the important things that can help us create a better future and overall life experience. Gallagher demonstrated her argument by utilizing ethos, pathos, and logos. She implied ethos or her credibility by sharing her personal experience with her battle of cancer. Although weak, her pathos or passion for the subject was hidden with the exception of her personal experience that made her interested in the subject of focus and attention. The logos presented were not scientifically proven, but on a personal note, it was proven through Gallagher’s personal experiences, which was enough proof to persuade others. “In short, I’ll live the focused life, because it’s the best kind there is” (Gallagher,
3).
Works Cited
Gallagher, Winifred. "The Focused Life." Penguin Press. (2010): Print. http://www.utne.com/Mind-Body/The-Focused-Life-Distracted-Attention.aspHYPERLINK "http://www.utne.com/Mind-Body/The-Focused-Life-Distracted-Attention.asp&xgt;"&HYPERLINK "http://www.utne.com/Mind-Body/The-Focused-Life-Distracted-Attention.asp&xgt;"xgt;.

Shadesbreath. "How to Win an Argument: Using Rhetoric to bring people to your side." Hub
Pages. Web. 16 Sep 2012. http://shadesbreath.hubpages.com/hub/How-to Win-an-Argument-Using-rhetoric-to-bring-people-to-your-side.