To be honest, I didn't really think about my expectations for this class when I signed up in the fall. At this point, in my fourth year, it's a struggle to find classes that fit in with my daily shedule, and this english class was one of those. I had already taken a few different literature classes and was looking for something different, so I went with this and I have not been disappointed. Most of my other english classes were heavily lecture-based with minimal interaction between students. This class is great because it encourages us to voice our opinions in a safe environment. I'm still waiting for that issue that causes a major debate in class.
I'm not planning to be an english teacher, nor am I an english major, but I can see how this class will be helpful to me in the future, whether I go into writing of any kind or visual communications such as photography or videography.
This class has also made me think about the way I used language in jobs I have had in the past. When I was a newspaper reporter, I often had to interview people who were somewhat (and sometimes completely) unwilling to "let me in." I realize now that I was very conciously and actively trying to persuade them to like me and therefore, give me the best story. As a portrait photographer, I was responsible for selling a certain dollar amount of photos to each customer. Obviously, all salesmen are trying to persuade their clients, but you have to be tactful when convincing a young, single mother without much money to buy something she doesn't really need.
If there is anything I am skeptical about, it's the statement that all language is persuasion. Like I said in my last blog, rhetoric is a broad term. To merge this argument with the one about inherently selfish people, I think the world is lacking truly selfless people. It is definitely possible to help and speak to someone without having any motive other than that person's good fortune. My father is a perfect example; he helps others without asking anything and he always shows his true colors. Maybe he just doesn't care what others think, but I never felt like he was trying to persuade anyone of anything.
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I agree with you and see your point when you say that this class has made you think about language in a different light. There are so many different ways we can use language and rhetoric in our daily life. I like the idea that persuasion causes so many of our reactions and ideas in this world. It’s something new to think about that’s for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou might pick up a copy of Kenneth Burke's book "A Rhetoric of Motives" where he analyzes people's motivations via rhetoric. I think you are right to wonder if ALL people are ALWAYS trying to persuade. I would be skeptical of universal language as well, though Burke makes a good argument if you have time to wade through his archaic writing style.
ReplyDeleteI thought we were basically going to be talking about different ways to write, pretty much like I've done in some other classes (persuasive...research...how different academics currently think about the best way to write, hot topics etc etc).
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