Running head: Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children

Genre Analysis Final

Analytical Comparison of Genres Pertaining to Aerobic Activities Before
School Helping Reduce Symptoms of ADHD In Children
Leslie A. Reveles
RSW 1302
Feb/ 20/2015

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Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children
Introduction
This analysis is an exploration and comparison of two genres,
iconographic and typographic. Specifically, the analysis is of an article,
Exercises before School May Reduce ADHD Symptoms in Kids, and an
image located on the web page for the article. Although they are found
in the same page, these two genres vary from rhetorical appeals; ethos
pathos logos. This analysis compares audience and purpose, rhetorical
appeals, and structure and delivery of the article and the image within.
Audience and Purpose
The article and image appeal to different audiences, but share
similar purposes. Based on the scholarly article provided by the
Michigan State University, Exercises before School May Reduce ADHD
Symptoms in Kids, the purpose is to persuade audiences that specific
physical activities can prevent and decrease ADHD symptoms at an
early age. Young kids and young adults are often persuaded by visuals,
while adults care more about background information for logic and
credible information. Therefore, this particular article primarily appeals
to preoccupied and concerned parents with kids that are suffering from
hyperactivity, or are at risk to this behavior. It also brings a solution to
the child unattentiveness either by persuasive or informational appeals
. In this case, it utilizes both, it persuades parents, teachers and
coaches to provide the physical activity children need. And it informs

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Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children
by providing statistical information based on collection of data of
vaious elementary kids.
The short article, although highly informative, opened the
paragraph with a sentence referring to a problem various audience
members could relate through experience: Paying attention all day in
school as a kid isnt easy, especially for those who are at a higher risk
of ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder" (Smith & Gleason,
2014, p. #1). To promote the purpose of physical activity in a safe and
pure environment, the image used color as a main attraction, like the
colorful clothing and the vivid, bright green grass. All these things are
used as an evidence or backup for the image purpose. This is when the
three main genres came to place and make sure the message was
clearly provided and delivered to the intended audience.
Ethos
The articles credibility was enforced by a brief anecdote of one
of the authors, Alan Smith, the chairperson from the Kinesiology
Department and a primary researcher of the study, which provided
evidence of their experience and current research into the case of
ADHD. This article was written based on psychological research,
involving the collection of data on 200 elementary kids over a twelveweek period of physical activity. The supported evidence came from
direct quotes from Betsy Ochoa, a psychologist from the University of
Vermont, and Alan Smith, the chairperson of Michigan State

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Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children
Universitys department of Kinesiology. These experts served as
credibility and support the claim that aerobic activities before school
help reduce symptoms of ADHD in children. The image credibility was
established by being part of the article, which served as a back up
evidence and supporting the articles relevance.
Logos
As opposed to credibility, the image is based on a visual scale.
For example, the image used to support the claim uses kids having fun
while doing a physical activity. This indicated that the best medication
does not have to be painful or gross, but it could be fun and safe. Logic
and credibility goes hand in hand. Reasoning came from the evidence
provided and it was also relevant from the professionals primarily
research documentation. The purpose and proof in both, article and
image, came along experimental observation of physical activities and
tested by by the chairperson from the Kinesiology Department, Alan
Smith, and the psychologist, Betsy Ochoa.

Pathos
Children are the most vulnerable and sensitive members of a
family. Therefore, the author utilizes children as the soft spot, "or as
representation of vulnerability, which leads to the emotional appeal. As
a parent, elementary teacher, and coach, childrens health is their
primarily concern either as a person or as a professional. Health

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Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children
related issues tend to be more engaged with younger kids since they
are more prone to diseases or disorders. This article used strong
evidence by appealing to experts evaluations that gave detailed
conclusions. For example, the authors provide a detailed description of
the effects of physical activity: "...further studies are needed to better
understand the frequency and amount of physical activity that can
provide benefits to children and added that the effects of exercise may
be different based on a childs age" (Smith & Gleason, 2014, p. #1).
This quote gives the audience a sense of honesty about the research
by stating that more studies should be done, yet it reassures that
physical activities can not only improve children's symptoms with
ADHD, but also improves their overall health. As the authors note,
"Despite the number of remaining questions, physical activity appears
to be a promising intervention method for ADHD with well-known
benefits to health overall (Smith & Gleason, 2014).
Structure and Delivery
Analyzing audience feedback based on a written article or
document is almost impossible. The article attempted to remain
unbiased by avoiding discussion of direct feelings and instead focused
on statistical information, which helped achieve the purpose and
deliver the message with current research.
However, various limitations exist in both the article and the
image. For instance, the image does not require much time to analyze.

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Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children
It might take a minute or two to analyze, compared to the article,
which typically requires ten to fifteen minutes. The articles limitation
includes the language and the length of the writing . For the Smith and
Gleason article, they manage to focus on child hyperactivity in one
page. Also, based on the audience members, the authors approached
the purpose in an informal way of speech in order for parents to be
engaged and understand the message. Unlike the article, the image
has no text, but is instead full of color and kids running, which makes it
easier to analyze.
Although the image does not reveal faces, the viewers can
conclude that there are three girls running away wearing colorful
clothing and flowery shoes, ranging in ages between eight and twelve
years old (elementary kids). The fact that they are running gives
audience members the thought that they are engaged in the exercise
which can be described as an emotional, logic and credibility appeal.
The overall design of each of these genres differed. The article
used short paragraphs with much larger text to make the reading
easier. To promote the purpose of physical activity in a safe and pure
environment, the image used color as a main attraction, like the
colorful clothing and the vivid, bright green grass. All these things are
used as an evidence or backup for their purpose. This is when the
three main genres come to place and make sure the message is clearly
provided and delivered to the intended audience.

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Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children
Conclusion
Although differences between text-based and image-based rhetoric
exist, there are some similarities as well. What makes them relevant to
each other is the overall message. They are both focused on
elementary kids being active for beneficial purposes. The article and
the image conclude with all three rhetorical appeals: logos, pathos, and
ethos. The emphasis put on each genre varied. The image relied
mostly on emotional appeal, but it also took part of the credibility
response. This can influence different audience members. The use of
genres and decisions made with them was to fit an appropriate
audience with more generalized language and composition. Thus, the
article, Exercises before School May Reduce ADHD Symptoms in Kids,
was for a more mature audience (adults)and the image was appealing
to a younger generation (teens and young adults).

References
(Article)
* Gleason, S., Smith A. (2014). Exercises before School May Reduce
ADHD Symptoms in Kids. Retrieved from
http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/exercise-before-school-mayreduce-adhd-symptoms-in-kids/
* http://msutoday.msu.edu/_/img/assets/2012/active-kids.jpg

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Aerobic Activities & ADHD in Children
(Image)