Lauren Dietz

Connie Douglas
UWRT 1102
February 3, 2015
Cosmetic Confidence Sprouting In Teens
If a child came to a parent asking if they could get surgery to pin back their ears because
of their newly acquired nickname, Dumbo, what would they say? Most parents would take this
into consideration and think about all the insecurities that their child would acquire over the
course of their life. However, when the complaints from children start leaning towards
improving their body to make them look more attractive in the eyes of society, that is where
the controversy starts. Writer, Diana Zuckerman, in her article, Teens and Cosmetic Surgery,
expresses her perspective about the reconstructive confidence that is filling teenagers minds
today. Zuckermans purpose is to convey the idea that cosmetic surgery in teenagers might just
be taken a little too lightly nowadays; are the surgeons really taking a look at what could go
wrong? She adopts a sympathetic tone in order to connect better with her readers. Writer, Steven
Dowshen, in his article, Plastic Surgery, expounds on what plastic and cosmetic surgery are
and why teens feel the need to explore it. Dowshens purpose is to inform the readers on the
basic facts of this type of surgery and provide insight on the educational standpoint of
researching it. He portrays a very didactic tone in order to do so, which offers the readers hope of
becoming more knowledgeable on the subject. Both of these authors use these rhetorical appeals
to better reach their audience.
Zuckerman begins her article with an astounding statistic that immediately catches the
readers attention: In 2012, more than 236,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients
between 13 and 19, including more than 75,000 surgical procedures such as nose reshaping,
breast lifts, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tucks (Zuckerman 1). Zuckerman
went ahead and threw a very clean logical statistic in the very first sentence that not only catches
the readers eye but also does a very good job of persuading the readers by presenting something
that is true, a statistic; which adds credibility. Zuckerman then goes on to expand how her
perspective is not so much about the needed surgical procedures such as correcting cleft lips or
palates, but rather the rising cultural phenomena such as surgical makeovers on numerous
television programs and unrelenting pressures on teens to conform to beauty standards
expressing the main idea of her stance on the subject (Zuckerman 4). She informs the readers at
the beginning of her article in order to enlighten them in knowing that this is something that is
very real in todays society. This accumulated knowledge presented by Zuckerman creates a
more serious tone that makes readers think twice about how prevalent cosmetic surgery really is.
The author uses ethos throughout the article in almost every other paragraphed written.
She does this by putting an intelligent and convincing spin on her diction, just enough so that her
information seems very reliable but still keeping a clear understanding for the readers, just like a
doctor might use when talking to a patient about the subject. Zuckerman accomplishes this by
including words that have a smarter vibe to them such as epidemiological, clinical,
augmentation, and pathological preoccupation throughout her article (Zuckerman 3-12). She
also uses a lot of references to the FDA and the APA stating, which is defined by the American
Psychiatric Association which add a ton of believability to her reasons that back up her stance
on the issue (Zuckerman 8).

Although Zuckermans article includes very logical and ethical credible references
throughout the entire message, it is interesting how she managed to also turn those statistics
around to have an emotional twist as well. By constantly pushing on the different dangers about
cosmetic surgery throughout the article, Zuckerman relays an earnest tone that allows her to
connect with her readers on a more emotional level. She does this by stating facts from a reliable
source, the APA, such as, Women who seek breast implants are more likely to have body
dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance
that leads to significant impairment in functioning (Zuckerman 9).
It is obvious that Zuckerman used all of these compelling techniques in a planned way.
She combined strong statistics, convincing diction, and relatable tones to effectively create a
compelling article that was beneficial to educating teenagers and parents across the nation.
While Zuckerman uses sympathetic tone and strong ethos to further persuade her
audience, Downshen uses a very didactic tone throughout his article to further inform his readers
of the dangers of plastic surgery. Downshen starts off his article in a very different approach than
Zuckerman. He uses a rhetorical approach known as celebrity testimony. In most cases, this
would be a useful technique considering most of the population have very easily persuaded
consciences. However, in this case, his use of a celebrity testimonial appeal is not very useful
due to the fact that his main approach to the subject is not to persuade readers, it is purely meant
to inform them about plastic and cosmetic surgery. As Downshen continues his article he goes
into great detail about his knowledge on the subject; titling his first pargraph, What Is Plastic
Surgery? (Downshen 6). He does this in order to start the readers off with a clear understanding
about the subject that his article is centered around: plastic surgery. Giving an extensive
definition of the subject allows the readers to gain of sense of credibility on the subject; he
knows that his plastic surgery definition doesnt have to be spot on but as long as he makes it
seem logical, most people will automatically believe what they read on the Internet. That makes
this a safe rhetorical strategy. On the contrary, Downshen made a critical mistake in the art of
persuasion; combining the two types of surgery that people explore: Plastic and Cosmetic. By
stating, teens view plastic surgery as a way to fit in and look acceptable to friends and peers,
hes taking away from the basis of what plastic surgery is majorly used for; reconstructing or
repairing parts of the body, especially by the transfer of tissue, in the cases of injury or treatment
(Downshen 8). Cosmetic surgery is focused on enhancing a patients appearance. Improving
aesthetic appeal, symmetry, and proportion (ASPS). By doing this Downshen is loosing a little
bit of credibility to his evidence for backing up his facts. As he concludes his article, Downshen
expresses a more relaxed tone about the subject. He does this by ending the page with, Things
To Consider, as his title page. By doing this he gives off the sense that plastic/cosmetic surgery
in teens is okay to participate in. The only real use of pathos in this article is in his ending
paragraphs. He states, Almost all teens (and many adults) are self-conscious about their bodies.
Almost everyone wishes there were a thing or two that could be changed. A lot of this selfconsciousness goes away with time. Ask yourself if you're considering plastic surgery because
you want it for yourself or whether it's to please someone else (Downshen 9). Hes asking
readers to look inward before considering plastic surgery, which appeals to the emotions of the
readers but doesnt support a strong stance against cosmetic surgery.
Steven Downshen composed a very useful and informative article by providing facts,
appealing to the readers emotions, and portraying a didactic tone throughout his article. While
Downshen had many great points from an informative standpoint, Diana Zuckerman had a much

greater rhetorical appeal to society. Zuckermans rhetorical strategies were much stronger which
made the art of persuasion easier to connect with readers.

Works Cited
"Teens and Cosmetic Surgery." Our Bodies Ourselves. Zuckerman, Diana., 12 Jan. 2011. Web.
06 Feb. 2015.
"Plastic Surgery." KidsHealth. Ed. Steven Dowshen. The Nemours Foundation, 01 June 2013.
Web. 09 Feb. 2015.
Morrison, M.Sc., Colin, A Survey of Cosmetic Surgery Training in Plastic Surgery Programs in the United States, Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons