Cause and Consequence Rhetorical Mode
             In our country, a woman is abused by her current or former partner every 15 seconds. The number of women abused per year is approximately 12 million, or one quarter of all women in the U.S. Men that abuse their wives may do so three or more times a year (Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois). It is disheartening to know that so many women fall victim to domestic violence, and one must question why these statistics are so high. There is a definitive cycle to the pattern of domestic violence. This cycle is a contributory factor as to why so many women remain in abusive relationships.
             Many people refer to the beginning stages of a new relationship as the "honeymoon". This is the period during a relationship when things are new and exciting. Couples often experience a type of high from the newness of things and their moods are euphoric. Often, each of the partners in the relationship will try to do special things for the other to make the other happy. Many times during this phase, domestic partners purchase gifts for each other or send cards by mail to each other for no special reason. It is during the "honeymoon phase" when couples tend to be on their best behavior because both parties are trying to impress the other.
             It is also typical during this period for each partner to ignore the perceived flaws he or she finds in the other. The couple may go through denial and ignore these peeves because the infatuation they feel for each other overpowers any possible ill feelings they may develop. The partners do not want to ruin their honeymoon, so they choose not to deal with their differences. Sometimes each partner feels the flaws he or she sees in the other are tolerable. Confrontations during the honeymoon period are rare. In the cycle of domestic violence, this phase of a relationship can also be referred to as "hearts and flowers". ...