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Running Head: RHETORICAL ALAYSIS

Rhetorical Analysis of Male Birth Control, Like Vasalgel, is Closer to Becoming a Reality;
Heres Everything We Know so Far
Erandi Liera
University of Texas at El Paso

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
Rhetorical Analysis of Male Birth Control, Like Vasalgel, is Closer to Becoming a Reality;
Heres Everything We Know so Far
The study of male contraceptives has been a big fuss for years now; so big that many
people have been constantly wondering if the existence of male contraceptives is ever going to
take place, and if so why hasnt it happened yet. More than 26,000 men have been on their toes

about this upcoming male contraceptive called Vasalgel. Stephanie Castillo the Kings College
graduate recently uploaded an article on July 15, 2015 onto Medical Daily, providing all the up
to date information on Vasalgel. This entire paper will consist of breaking down Castillos
nonfictional work into sections, by then explaining the use of rhetorical appeals (such as logos,
ethos, and pathos) Castillo uses to persuade, and inform her readers through the use of her article
along with the video that is weaved into the article on this new inventive form of birth control for
men; that is hoped to be hitting the market as soon as 2018.
LOGICAL APPEAL
The use of logical appeals plays a huge role into this article regarding the upcoming form
of male birth control; the reason being is that the audience wants to be sure that the information
they are being provided is factual, and not false misleading information. As it is known that logos
is made through solid reasoning, and appropriate evidence including statistical data. Providing
this information allows the writer to build a trustworthy relationship with his/her readers. Castillo
does a good job of this by informing her readers exactly what Vasalgel is, and how it is used by
declaring that Vasalgel is a non-hormonal polymer gel urologists can inject into the vas deferens
(the tube the sperm swims through) after first making a small slit in the scrotal skin. (Castillo,
2015). Providing this small bit of information towards the beginning of the article Castillo is able
to start gaining the readers attention, as well as their trust little by little. Then she goes on to

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
introduce Elaine Lissner, an executive director of the Parsemus Foundation who has been
constructing research on Vasalgel since 2010. Castillo then provides a second logical approach
to her article by explaining some of the research Lissner has revealed to her over the 12-month
study on rabbits and olive baboons to find that not only is this method effective, but a baking

soda-type solution could flush out the gel. (Castillo, 2015). Demonstrating that Vasalgel could
possibly be reversible, which is what makes this form of male birth control astounding. Castillo
then continues to say that during the rabbit studies, Vasalgel resulted in azoospermia (no sperm)
throughout the year-long study (Castillo, 2015) which confirms to readers that this study has
been proving to be working extremely well, in the sense that it can almost be trusted to also be
successful on humans, although we do not know for sure until Lissner starts trials on men. It is
argued that readers are automatically drawn in by data; which then persuades them to try this
upcoming form of birth control. Due to the use factual data it allows them to believe that
Vasalgel will work, and it is safe because it has already been undergoing several trials, and so far
they have been proving to be effective.
ETHICAL APPEAL
Readers can also be persuaded through the use of ethical appeals, which consists of being
concerned over the welfare of others, stating credibility, and objective knowledge. Castillo
proves to be credible by obtaining a BA in professional writing, and mass communications from
Kings College. Apart from obtaining a degree she is also an avid writer for many other credible
sources, and the fact that she also provides direct quotes from Elaine Lissner, and having direct
links to webpages that consist of relatable articles, or definitions also establishes her credibility
as a writer; knowing that the information being provided isnt just some nonsense. Aside from
proving credibility Castillo also shows her concern over the welfare of others when she

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

introduces that Vasalgel shouldnt cost more than a flat screen TV (Lissner) emphasizing their
goal over accessibility, not wanting to market it at such a high price so that the majority of
people can have access to it. Lissner continues her argument to say that since its so expensive
people cant use it, then our job isnt done (Lissner) which implies that Lissner does not want to
put a limit on the type of men who can have access to Vasalgel. Confirming that she wont stop
until men of all economic states are allowed to obtain Vasalgel, believing that increased access
leads to better health outcomes like a reduced number of unplanned pregnancies and sexually
transmitted infections (STIs). Incorporating this information in the article gives readers the
impression that they genuinely care about the well being of others, as well as showing them that
they wont stop trying until it is perfected; because they really believe in a safe empowerment for
the future of Vasalgel.
EMOTIONAL APPEAL
Along with both logs and ethos, pathos also plays an important role in the analysis of this
article, because pathos being an emotional appeal establishes a connection between the author
and his/her readers allowing them to further accept the argument that is being persuaded to them.
Castillo builds this connection with her readers by incorporating the two different types of men
who are known to currently fall under the category of wanting to take this new form of birth
control. The first group of men is commonly men in long-term relationships with partners who
have negative experiences with their form of birth control, such as reduced libido and cramps
from an IDU. (Castillo, 2015) The second group of men who fall under the category are men
who are dating and dont want to get a phone call about an oops (Castillo, 2015). The use of
describing both types of men reaches out to both men and women reading this article, who can
relate to one of these categories. Women are able to relate to this in two different forms. One in

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

the sense that they have been experiencing difficulties with their form of birth control, and would
like men to now take over being responsible for obtaining birth control so that they no longer
have to, and can be liberated from the pain caused. Two being the emotional break down a
woman has when an unplanned pregnancy occurs, trying to figure out what her next step is going
to be and how exactly she will be informing her partner, as well both of their families; suggesting
that if men are able to obtain Vasalgel it can limit unplanned pregnancies. Men of course are
automatically related to either form of groups, but stating both of these groups allow men to
focus on the importance of Vasalgel, vividly imagining themselves in one category or the other
presented that both situations are emotionally horrific; Castillo stresses the astounding resolution
to both of these problems through Vasalgel.
RHETORICAL APPEALS THROUGH USE OF VIDEO
Castillo not only provides you with her article over the new form of male birth control,
but she also includes a video, which comes from D news presented by Tara Long. The use of
video plays a dramatic role in this rhetorical analysis, because it no longer just allows readers to
read the information carefully enough to have time to build a flow of thought process over the
issue, but it also allows them to vividly see how it works allowing readers to connect on a whole
different level.
LOGICAL APPEAL
As stated before the use of logos is stated through solid reasoning, and statistical data. In
the video Castillo presents you with, Tara Long explains further into depth how Vasalgel works,
by then stating the clinical trials it is currently undergoing, just as Castillo had mentioned in her
article. Long incorporates images of the gel, the syringe, and an image of the male reproductive
system which she then points to the vas deferens (the tube that sperm swims though). All three of

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
these images allow readers to be fully aware of what Vasalgel is and it functions. As Long
continues to inform us that unlike a vasectomy where you have to cut the vas deferens, Vasalgel
is plugged up with this gel which is less invasive and way more reversible than a vasectomy,
and its also long acting, meaning once the gel is in, it stays there for years until you decide you

dont want it anymore, at which point doctors can just flush it out with another injection (Long)
proving to the viewers that Vasalgel can be reversed, without knowingly causing any harm to
mens reproductive system. Reassuring men that this an effective study.
ETHICAL APPEALS
Tara long proves to be credible just by the source on which she is broadcasting for, as we
all know that Discovery news is a big hit in the world of science. She also states her credibility
by showing the viewers an image of the Parsemus Foundation website, which is the foundation
in which Elaine Lissner is the executive director. Demonstrating that this is where she collected
most of her data. This contented information is directly related to the use of ethos, in which the
audience can now be sure that the information they are currently being provided isnt misleading.
EMOTIONAL APPEALS
Throughout the video Long is also able to provide us with emotional appeals. Confirming
that she is overjoyed with the study on male birth control, but at the same time impatient as to
why it hasnt hit the market; then she jumps back to reassure the audience that even though she is
bummed about it not being out yet she is extremely happy that at least there are people out there
working on it. Another form Long connects with her readers is by persuading them Vasalgel is
safe, and they are starting clinical trials on male baboons who will be given the freedom to
monkey around with the other fertile female baboons over a period of 3-6 months; then going

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS
on to test the reversibility of Vasalgel. This then gives the audience the confidence to be able to
trust Vasalgel.

Overall both Castillo, and Long have proven to portray the information over Vasalgel
very well through the use of Logos, Ethos and Pathos through both video and text. Allowing
readers fully understand how this form of male birth control works, as it is known to be a very
touchy subject; hopefully both of these women have gained their readers trust over the subject
and will be willing to participate in human clinical trial next year.