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Summary Of Putting Women Back In The Abortion Debate By Ellen Willis

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The article"Putting Women Back in the Abortion Debate" by Ellen Willis makes a strong case for a fresh strategy in the abortion discussion that emphasizes the experiences and viewpoints of women. Her target audience is mostly individuals who are debating abortion, especially those who have historically been marginalized from the discussion, such as women and pro-choice activists. Willis' article aims to reframe the discussion by demonstrating how women's viewpoints and experiences are essential to comprehending the root of the issue.

The phrase "bringing women back in the argument" is one rhetorical device Willis employs to further her objective. This phrase is used frequently in the article to highlight the numerous points and theories that …show more content…

She asserts that she can push herself and alter the shame and stigma around the problem by telling her own story and encourage others to do the same. Willis writes, "The shame and silence surrounding abortion is violence against women, a brutality that tends to further silence women," suggesting that these narratives are themselves a form of violence (Willis, 2007). Willis contributes to the de-stigmatization of the subject and fosters a more sympathetic and compassionate understanding of abortion by sharing both her own and other people's …show more content…

For example, she addresses the assumption that a fetus has a right to life by arguing that this right cannot be absolute, since it would lead to ridiculous consequences. She writes: "If the right to life is absolute, then no woman has the right to remove a fetus from her body, even if it is threatening her life. Clearly, this is an unreasonable conclusion" (Willis, 2007) . By employing logical reasoning, Willis is able to highlight the weaknesses in the anti-abortion arguments, as well as expand the reasoning he utilizes when addressing abortion, as well as persuade his audience that a more nuanced and empathic approach to abortion is needed.

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