What I've Learned

I think that the main thing I’ve taken away from this class is the ability to recognize rhetoric—in speeches, in the media, in everyday life. Before I truly understood was rhetoric was (when I signed up for the class I had only a slight idea of what it meant) I didn’t recognize what went into creating a persuasive piece of writing. It seems so simple now, and It’s funny because, as Kevin mentioned in an earlier post, you even notice it in everyday conversation with friends. I’ve come to the realization that my roommate is much more manipulative than I gave her credit for—her puppy dog eyes and sad comments when I express the urge to stay in on a weekend night are probably not because she wants me to go out and have a good time. I see now that she’s been trying to appeal to my pathos in her attempt to be accompanied downtown and not have to fly solo. I’ve learned to search/listen for logos—if there aren’t straight facts being presented, it’s usually a sign that you’re being deceived somehow. Heavy on the pathos + no logos is a recipe for disaster. Similarly, if a speaker/writer does not establish their ethos, who is to say they are a credible source? It’s something a lot of people never think to question, and that can be dangerous as well. It’s definitely unfortunate that more people are not exposed to the components of rhetoric. It seems crazy, considering it’s all around us every day of our lives. We, as a society, should be much more aware of the ways in which people try to manipulate our decisions, especially in the political realm, or else we let ourselves be susceptible to being persuaded into things we don’t truly understand. While it’s horrible to think that it is merely the most apt rhetorician that will always come out on top (especially in things as important as presidential elections) this is only the case if we let ourselves be outsmarted. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to have been educated on the topic and to have learned things that will change my perspective for the rest of my life.