In their article “Inclusive Spaces and Locker Rooms for Transgender Athletes,” Cunningham, Buzuvis, and Mosier investigate the complex and timely issue of providing equitable conveniences for transgender athletes (Cunningham et al. 365). This topic has garnered critical attention recently, with discussions ranging from sports policy to LGBTQ+ rights. The item aims to contribute to this ongoing dialogue by examining the challenges and potential solutions related to inclusive compartment rooms and spaces for transgender athletes. In this rhetorical analysis, I will examine how the authors address their audience, articulate their purpose, establish the style and tone, and locate their article within the broader context of the discussion. Ultimately, I will assess the influence of their rhetorical approaches in conveying their message and promoting understanding of this crucial matter.
The intended audience for Cunningham, Buzuvis, and Mosier’s article is a diverse group of scholars, policymakers, sports administrators, and anyone concerned with gender identity and sports (Cunningham et al. 365). The authors recognize the multi-faceted nature of their audience as they seek to apprise academic and non-academic readers about the complexities surrounding transgender athletes’ approach to locker rooms and athletic spaces. They effectively predict their audience’s expectations by providing an inclusive overview of the legal framework, challenges, and potential solutions related to this topic.
The writer’s success in engaging their hearing is evident in their equalized use of ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos, or the credibility of the authors, is settled through their affiliations with academic institutions and their expertise in sports standards and policy. This lends authority to their debates, which resonate with scholars and policymakers. They incorporate logos by presenting a well-organized, evidence-based study with legal criteria and empirical data to support their claims (Cunningham et al. 369). This evidence helps persuade readers of the validity of their arguments. Furthermore, the authors employ pathos by containing real-life anecdotes and examples of transgender athletes facing discrimination in locker rooms (Cunningham et al. 371). These stories elicit empathy and emotional data from their audience.
As a reader, I am part of the writer’s intended audience, as I am curious about the intersection of sports and social lawfulness issues. The authors’ approach of providing legal intuitions alongside personal stories and efficient recommendations aligns with my expectations for an informative and persuasive article on this topic. However, even readers less familiar with sports policy and permissible matters would likely find this article approachable and educational due to the author’s effective use of ethos, logos, and pathos.
The primary aim of Cunningham, Buzuvis, and Mosier’s article is to illustrate the challenges transgender athletes face in achieving locker rooms and athletic spaces while also contributing potential solutions to create more inclusive environments. This purpose is connected throughout the article, specifically in the introductory section, where the authors discuss the permissible landscape and cases related to transgender contestants’ rights (Cunningham et al. 367). By examining the legal aspects of this issue, the authors aim to educate their audience about the complicatedness of the topic and the legal protections in place. They aim to advocate for a more inclusive approach to locker room policies.
The authors mainly successfully express their purpose, as they clearly focus on the challenges and potential resolutions for transgender athletes. However, one area where their purpose could have been more wholly realized is in the decision of the article. While they effectively summarize their key points, they need to take advantage of an opportunity to provide concrete approvals for change or to inspire action with their readers (Cunningham et al. 373). A more explicit call to operation or guidance on procedure changes could have strengthened the article’s impact and its strength to fulfill its purpose.
The style and tone of Cunningham, Buzuvis, and Mosier’s article are suitable to the genre of the publication, “Kinesiology Review” (Cunningham et al. 365). The language used is academic and exact, reflecting the scholarly nature of the journal. The attitude is objective and informative, which aligns with the expectations of academic writing. Nevertheless, what sets the tone apart is the authors’ occasional inclusion of personal anecdotes and stories of transgender athletes facing discrimination (Cunningham et al. 371). These narratives add an acculturating element to the article, inducing readers’ empathy and reinforcing their argument’s overall effectiveness. This blending of academic exactness with personal stories effectively engages the audience.
The cohesion of the style and tone with the genre of the chronicle is evident throughout the article. “Kinesiology Review” typically features articles that address issues in sports erudition, exercise, and related fields, and this article maintains a scholarly tone consistent with the journal’s genre. The academic style authorizes the authors’ credibility and knowledge of the subject matter, reinforcing the philosophy of the article (Cunningham et al. 365). Furthermore, including personal narratives does not minimize the scholarly tone but preferably adds depth and relevance to the discussion. It humanizes the legal and policy issues discussed, making them more relatable to a broader audience.
Cunningham, Buzuvis, and Mosier efficiently situate their article within the ongoing dialogue about transgender athletes’ rights and access to sports facilities. They provide a historical circumstance by discussing permissible cases and precedents related to transgender rights in sports (Cunningham et al. 367), demonstrating their awareness of the larger discourse on the case. Additionally, they acknowledge the other scholars and organizations that have contributed to understanding transgender addiction in sports (Cunningham et al. 369). By doing so, they show respect for the existing body of knowledge and organize themselves as part of the continuous conversation. This contextualization enhances the article’s credibility and relevance.
The authors also explain an obligation to thorough source citations throughout the article, bolstering their argument with evidence from miscellaneous legal cases, policies, and academic research (Cunningham et al. 369). Their meticulous use of citations strengthens the article’s reliability and allows readers to explore the material further if they wish. However, while the authors excel in citing sources to support their claims, they have provided more in-depth clarifications of key terms and ideas related to transgender issues in sports (Cunningham et al. 365). This would have made the article even more accessible to readers who may not be well-versed in the topic’s terminology and ideas. Nevertheless, their engagement with the existing literature and legal frameworks successfully positions their article within the broader conversation on transgender athletes’ rights.
In conclusion, Cunningham, Buzuvis, and Mosier’s article “Inclusive Spaces and Locker Rooms for Transgender Athletes” efficiently addresses audiences by employing ethos, trademarks, and pathos to engage readers in a complex conversation about transgender athletes’ approach to sports facilities. The article articulates its purpose of highlighting challenges and potential solutions but could have been enhanced with a more explicit call to operation. The style and tone are consistent with the academic genre of the journal while humanizing the discussion with individual narratives. The authors capably place their article within ongoing discussions about transgender athletes’ rights and provide thorough source citations. However, more explanation of crucial conditions could have been beneficial. Overall, their rhetorical strategies contribute to a compelling and informative exploration of this central issue.
Works Cited
Cunningham, George B., et al. “Inclusive Spaces and Locker Rooms for Transgender Athletes.” Kinesiology Review, vol. 7, no. 4, 1 Nov. 2018, pp. 365–374, https://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2017-0062.