The Hope of Music Theory

The Hope of Music Therapy

Amanda M. Ufer
English 2001-162
September 23, 2014
Rhetorical Analysis

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Abstract

As our world is becoming older with the uses and help of new technologies and
medicine, mental health concerns are also increasing. Long-term anxiety, depression,
pain, and dementia can all be somewhat relieved with medicine in todays world, but the
medication acts more like a crutch as opposed to a cure. Many people who struggle with
mental illnesses prefer activity to medication. Some of these activities that have been
frequently listed are listening to music and/or singing along. Music and singing may be
exciting or calming and is often associated with many life events like religious
gatherings, social occasions, concerts, graduations and weddings. Using music as a
therapeutic nursing tool is quickly on the rise.

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Literature Review

Karen Eells writes an article discussing how music can be used to assist those
dealing with anxiety, stress, or other mental issues. The article, The Use of Music and
Singing to Help Manage Anxiety in Older Adults, takes on a very informative voice.
Information is displayed like a normal article with pictures amidst the text and headings
separating each section of information. Colored boxes are used to group informations
together, like findings in random pollings and criteria for being included in the
experiment. These colored boxes could give off the appearance that this is not an
professional source. Many professional sources follow the straight edge, black and white
format that simply relays information and is not concerned by the visual appearance of it.
The sections of information within the article are very well organized. The colorful
additives scattered throughout the article are tasteful instead of unprofessional or
distracting from the core information given by the article. There are frequent sitings of
various sources used to support all points made by Eells.
There are many statistical sections in this article that require professional evidence,
like the fact that the prevalence of dementia is steadily rising worldwide, with more than
35 million people estimated in 2005 to have one form or other of the condition, (Eells,
2014, p. 16). Because of this, the credibility, or ethos, is established. This article presents
data in a way that is appealing to the eye and reader. The reader does not necessarily need
to be a professional musician to understand what Eells is conveying through her message.
This professional source is easy to go through and provides good, organized information.
Because of this, the article can logically explain to the reader what it wants them to
believe. The intended audience for this article could have a wide range because of this.

The Hope of Music Theory

However, this information would mainly appeal to someone studying Music Therapy.
This particular article uses many ways to appeal to the reader. Early on, a photo is used
with a couple of elderly people with their hands outstretched and their faces smiling. This
makes the reader want to smile along with these happy people. It conveys that whatever
is being done is helping with their mental struggles that are unknown by someone on the
outside. This allows the viewer to have an emotional connection (pathos) to the core of
what this article is relaying. Finally, the purpose of this article is to inform people about
the hopeful future of healing through music.
In the second article, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, it is organized in a
very different fashion. This academic article is set in a format designed to convey their
message in a simple way. With bold headings and descriptions under each one, the
audience can easily follow along. The intended audience for an article like this is not
specifically targeted to people involved in Music Therapy. Its goal is to inform in an
easier way to comprehend what the goals of Music Therapy are. The uses of pathos,
ethos, and logos are not as strong in this article. The main use of pathos can be
contributed to the way that the article describes how the ways of Music Therapy can help
people who are struggling or in pain. The American Cancer Society states in this article
that, clinical trials have shown the benefits of music therapy for short-term pain.
Despite the fact that there are fewer in-text citations within this article, phrases like
studies have shown are used to allude that the information presented is validated.
There is evidence that Music Therapy can reduce high blood pressure, rapid heart beat,
depression, and sleeplessness, (The American Cancer Society). The logical reader could
note these introductory phrases and observe the many sources sited at the end of this

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reading and be confident that the content of this article is true.

Discussion and Comparison
Comparing the two articles, there were not as many rhetorical devices so obviously
and strategically used in Complimentary and Alternative Medicine as there were in the
professional article, The Use of Music and Singing to Help Manage Anxiety in Older
Adults. However, the academic article had the benefits of a more condensed method of
presenting material to the reader. This creates the possibility of having a wider range of
reading audience that will better understand the material. The professional article had
information structured in a way that was comprehendible to a person who was not
studying music, but the second article was easier in the sense that it was more
concentrated. This is the main reason why many bold rhetorical subjects were left out.
Conclusion

The Hope of Music Theory

The uses of Music Therapy to help with anxiety, stress, and other mental and
physical ailments are important for the recovery of people. The uses of rhetorical analysis
are also important when researching and picking apart articles and sources of
information. The professional article was easier to connect to and made the audience feel
more emotion towards the subject. So because of the usage of more rhetorical devices, an
author can connect with their audience on a deeper level. Many things that people see on
a daily basis include pathos, ethos, and logos - like advertisements for example. Yet
reading a professional research article on a more serious subject creates a sense of
importance as the reader makes connections to something that may not have any impact
on their life at all. References
1.Eells, Karen. "The Use Of Music And Singing To Help Manage Anxiety In Older
Adults." Mental Health Practice 17.5 (2014): 10-17. CINAHL Plus with Full Text.
Web. 10 Sept. 2014.
2. American Cancer Society. (2008, November 1). Complimentary and Alternative
Medicine. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalter
nativemedicine/mindbodyandspirit/music-therapy