I have to say that I enjoy this class very much. I love the discussions that we have requiring deep thought. I like learning how abstract this idea of rhetoric really is. It seems the idea we’ve been given most is that rhetoric is really just “thinking”. I still think that rhetoric can change the world. I’ve been observing several different classrooms through my education courses and see that often at times students aren’t allowed to or aren’t encouraged to think. Information is just thrown at them and they are expected to assimilate it, not analyze it. In reality, rhetoric is just a component of higher thinking. As humans, we’ve acquired this realm and ability to share complex ideas. Through the Toulmin model, we can successfully develop ideas and break them down. Furthermore, we can develop ideas that can’t be attacked. How much power is in that alone? Perhaps I am just power hungry, but the thought that rhetoric is such an art that I can learn entices me.
I can honestly say my brain hurts sometimes after class. However, it has sparked other creative and thoughtful juices I haven’t had since high school. These juices have helped me endeavor to spark higher thinking in the students I’ve been working with. So overall, I do believe I’m enjoying this course and it has been very helpful.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye"
Language persuades us that we, indeed, were the weakest link if we couldn't answer some senseless questions on some game show. It wasn't the British lady who made it hurt, it was the fact that these words had meaning. I blame the words themselves. Not the British. We won that war.
I agree with the idea that language persuades us. We are constantly asking ourselves or proving to someone else what we do every day. We persuade the voices in our head that it was okay that we had McDonalds for dinner, even though we're on a diet. We persuade others that we know something in every day conversation. We persuade others by our appearance and manner of speaking who we are and what we stand for.
I think this is an excellent point to bring up to students. Rhetoric gives them a power they already have to run with and develop. Often when I'm tutoring, I ask my students the question of "why". It takes an understanding of rhetoric to satisfy the need to know "why" or persuade your audience of a certain idea. I want to know why your dog ate your homework.
After taking a technical communication class last semester, I find myself occupied with critiquing how clear and concise, not only documents are, but how others use language. Clarity in language helps us to function. Rhetoric helps us to know what someone is clearly asking of us.
The art of rhetoric is everywhere. Viewing the world through rhetoric causes us to question and come up with answers. Don't we want to join this game show?
I agree with the idea that language persuades us. We are constantly asking ourselves or proving to someone else what we do every day. We persuade the voices in our head that it was okay that we had McDonalds for dinner, even though we're on a diet. We persuade others that we know something in every day conversation. We persuade others by our appearance and manner of speaking who we are and what we stand for.
I think this is an excellent point to bring up to students. Rhetoric gives them a power they already have to run with and develop. Often when I'm tutoring, I ask my students the question of "why". It takes an understanding of rhetoric to satisfy the need to know "why" or persuade your audience of a certain idea. I want to know why your dog ate your homework.
After taking a technical communication class last semester, I find myself occupied with critiquing how clear and concise, not only documents are, but how others use language. Clarity in language helps us to function. Rhetoric helps us to know what someone is clearly asking of us.
The art of rhetoric is everywhere. Viewing the world through rhetoric causes us to question and come up with answers. Don't we want to join this game show?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Are Humans Ever Selfless?
I would agree that humans could have the ability to be cannibals under the right circumstances. As a matter of survival, we think of ourselves first. We may think of ourselves first if it means doing anything possible to keep our young alive so our genes are passed on. We may do something special so we know we are that "good significant other" to our special someone. In reality, do we ever do anything completely selfless?
On the other hand, through language we can moralize or dispute what we're trying to do. We can stop someone's bad day with encouraging words. We can hurt someone with angry words. We can say "I love you" or "I hate you". Words give us a choice in our actions.
This matters because this gives humans a power over most other species on this planet. We want to be able to control others and ourselves with words. And we want to be able to do that well. A well-written document can start a war or start a marriage. Language is the great moral reformer since we have so much power, good or bad, when we gain the ability to use it.
While this post makes humans seem like selfish creatures, I do believe they have the capablity to be good. During the Holocaust, someone can exchange vowels at the same time as a Nazi solider is yelling how worthless they are and threatening to kill. We obviously have the need to survive that causes us to be selfish, but the ability to exchange our intricate language gives us the choice to moralize our actions, good or bad.
On the other hand, through language we can moralize or dispute what we're trying to do. We can stop someone's bad day with encouraging words. We can hurt someone with angry words. We can say "I love you" or "I hate you". Words give us a choice in our actions.
This matters because this gives humans a power over most other species on this planet. We want to be able to control others and ourselves with words. And we want to be able to do that well. A well-written document can start a war or start a marriage. Language is the great moral reformer since we have so much power, good or bad, when we gain the ability to use it.
While this post makes humans seem like selfish creatures, I do believe they have the capablity to be good. During the Holocaust, someone can exchange vowels at the same time as a Nazi solider is yelling how worthless they are and threatening to kill. We obviously have the need to survive that causes us to be selfish, but the ability to exchange our intricate language gives us the choice to moralize our actions, good or bad.
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