1

Cardenas
Norberto Cardenas

Dr. Nelson

English 1301

November 2, 2022

Rhetorical Analysis: Study of Kava on cheerfulness and cognitive enhancement

Clinical experimentation of phytopharmaceuticals (plant medicines) is constructive to society

because of the constant possibility of the discovery of new medicines. Thus, studies on herbs that

influence the state of mind of an individual should be pursued. A particular plant, Kava, a plant

that is used recreationally to promote relaxation, is one herb that has been closely looked at.

Thompson, et al. scientific research article investigates Kava-kava on its potential to enhance

cognitive performance and harbor cheerful moods. The authors’ state that kava does produce a

cheerful mood and betters’, cognition. Their purpose is to expand the collective knowledge

around kava and galvanize others to participate in discovery too. In the “Enhanced cognitive

performance and cheerful mood by standardized extracts of Piper methysticum (Kava-kava)”

article, Thompson, et al. effectively display the elements of their study for the purpose of

convincing readers that their yielded results are correct; the authors’ efficacy in persuading

fellow scientists (the presumed audience) that Kava-kava enhances mood and cognition is high,

for they use structure in the article and rhetorical appeals.

The way the article is structured: into sections that breakdown the clinical experiments

(i.e. Materials and methods, drug schedule, cognition tests, and others) and the use of

psychopharmacology jargon show that the authors’ of the research papers are experts in the field

of study of the researched materials, and they were prepared and organized in the experiments

(Thompson et al.). The following are the heading and subheadings in chronological order:
2
Cardenas
1. Introduction

2. Material and Methods

1. Participants

2. Drug schedule

3. State Trait Cheerfulness Inventory (STCI)

4. Cognition tests

5. Statistics

3. Results

1. STCI-T and STCI-S

2. Correlation analysis

4. Discussion 

There are four main sections in the text: introduction, materials and methods, results, and

discussion. These sections give readers an easy road map that allows them to navigate the study

for specific information. For example, if an analytical viewer wanted to know what type of

people were involved in the study, the viewer could look through the article and find the

subheading “participants” and read the following: “Twenty Kava-naive healthy volunteers (11

female, 9 male) recruited on the campus of the University of Hertfordshire” (Thompson, et al.

244). When reviewing the previous quote, it could be concluded that persons wanting

information about the participants of the study would come to learn that the participants are

college students and had no knowledge about Kava-kava. The headings also demonstrate

organization which gives authority to the authors’.  Along with the organization of the article, the

use of jargon highlights the authors’ specific knowledge about psychopharmacology and Kava-

kava. The authors’ use of jargon starts right at the introduction, 

3
Cardenas

“The extract contains at least six pharmacologically active compounds, referred to as

kavapyrones (Dharmaratne et al., 2002), which mediate the local anaesthetic, sedating,

anticonvulsive, muscle-relaxant and sleep stimulating effects of the plant” (Thompson, et

al. 243).

The above quote utterly lists several terms that are not immediately without prior knowledge:

anticonvulsive, extract, kavapyrones, etc. Jargon in the paper builds credibility via knowledge.

Structural components and specific scientific diction establish an authoritative appeal–or ethos–

and ultimately fulfills the purpose of the article to persuade readers that the finding of their

clinical research is accurate. 

Math is used in the study to measure Kava-kava’s effect on mood and cognition, for the

use of math to determine participants mental state is effective since mathematics is factual and

logical. Logically, the math utilized in the study adds legitimacy to the results. Equations were

used in the calculations of mental states; furthermore, the equation (t2-t1)= (t meaning test)

subtracted the scores of tests taken by participants before and after the experiment (Thompson, et

al. 246). These scores allowed the psychopharmacologists to compare participants’ scores and

come up with results. Results were compared to the results of other research articles, and the

outcomes were similar. Comparing other studies that yielded the same outcomes further appeals

to logic: that kava-kava enhances mood and cognition.

The research papers showcase different charts and graphs to show how legitimate and

factual their study is. Thompson, et al. also use charts and graphs to appeal to logic. For instance,

in one graph, the authors demonstrated the difference in cheerfulness test scores from the

placebo group versus the group who ingested kava. When analyzing the graph, it is evident that
4
Cardenas
the group who took kava had higher scores than the placebo group. Observation makes viewers

make a logical decision: to accept the findings of the study more readily. Appeal to logic in the

article conserved the viewers belief that the authors’ work is legitimate.

Fig. 1. Thompson Richard, et al. Enhanced cognitive performance and cheerful mood by

standardized extracts of piper methysticum (Kava-kava), May 5, 2004.

Pathos–or the appeal to emotion–was difficult to locate within the text; nevertheless,

through rigorous study, it was determined that the components of the discussion portion brought

out an emotional response in individuals and galvanized self-reflection. The first thing that was

found was the sentences that informed the reader of the aspects that the experiments failed to
5
Cardenas
accomplish. In the sentence, “The specific kavapyrones, which mediate the beneficial effects of

the whole extract on cognition, still have to be determined,” the text notes undiscovered

information and, consequently, calls to the audience members' curiosity (Thompson, et al. 248).

Now, scientists whose interests lay in the research of kava may take into their own efforts and

attempt to identify the kavapyrone that affects cognition. This appeal to curiosity that evokes

different emotions, will lead readers to engage in the writings of the authors’. The second thing–

that was overlooked–was the heading itself: discussion. The discussion title of the papers further

engaged readers. It is probable that the word ‘discussion’ might make some readers feel as if

they are being addressed and cause emotions of belonging. Final notations: the diction and

sentences that excite the reader. Instead of just stating the outcome of the results, the authors’

purposefully chose diction in some sentences to excite readers–no doubt the researchers were

also excited–and engage them with the research papers. For example, the sentence, 

“The present study provides evidence that a single dose of Kava can enhance cognitive

performance in normal volunteers and can increase positive affect related to exhilaration

depending on the subjects’ disposition for cheerful mood,”

is promising and causes viewers to be interested since enhancement of cognitive performance is

a common value among working people–an appeal to ethos (Thompson, et al. 249). The use of

pathos in the article through the discussion section helps the author's purpose to persuade

readers. 

Thompson, et al. purpose for displaying their research was to convince their readers of

the legitimacy of kava-kava’s positive effect on mood and cognitive performance. The sectioning

of article and the use of jargon accomplish the authors’ goal of impressing readers. Mathematics
6
Cardenas
and the use of charts further create legitimacy. Finally, the discussions portion engages readers

into the text leaving them impressed. The effectiveness of the organization and use of appeals

ultimately made the authors’ statements believable.

Notes to incorporate.

 Add a section about how logo and Kairos plays a role in the article because of they

mention that they are trying to find a replacement for Benzodiazepines. And they further

mention how kava has lesser negative side effects than Benzos.
7
Cardenas
Work cited

Thompson, Richard. Willibald Ruch, et al. “Enhanced cognitive performance and cheerful mood

by standardized extracts of Piper methysticum (Kava-kava).” Wiley InterScience, May 5,

2004, www.interscience.wiley.com.