Question

"Tone" can be a part of your writing strategy. In this scenario, the patient is a smoker. They have a bad cough, and their breathing is labored when walking and climbing stairs. The doctor has asked you to create a letter to send to the patient to encourage him to stop smoking.

Describe the rhetorical strategy and tone you would use to write the message.

Answer 1

When writing a letter to encourage a patient to stop smoking, the rhetorical strategy and tone used must be empathetic, informative, and motivational.

The letter should begin by addressing the patient's current condition and how smoking is likely contributing to their labored breathing and cough. This information should be presented in a non-judgmental tone, avoiding language that could make the patient feel guilty or defensive.

The rhetorical strategy should then shift towards providing information about the health benefits of quitting smoking, such as improved lung function, reduced risk of lung cancer and heart disease, and improved overall quality of life. The tone here should be optimistic and encouraging, focusing on the positive outcomes that quitting smoking can bring.

To further motivate the patient, the letter can also provide resources and support for quitting smoking, such as counseling or medication options. The tone should be empathetic and understanding, acknowledging the difficulty of quitting smoking and offering support and encouragement throughout the process.

Overall, the rhetorical strategy and tone used in the letter should aim to inform, motivate, and support the patient in their decision to quit smoking without making them feel judged or overwhelmed.

*IG: whis.sama_ent*