My life has been filled with arguments. I knew that before I read chapter one of "Inventing Arguments." Now, however, it seems that ever word I speak is an argument! "People are surrounded by argument. It can be said that public life is an argument" (Argument 5).
I read on only to discover that the meaning of argument that the authors are using differs from my own definition. When I personally think of arguments, I think of heated debates that often end in conflict of some kind. The definition the authors use is one where there is no conflict (war, physical fight...) but rather, the whole argument is centered on making the argument seem reasonable and acceptable.
Arguments come in all shapes and sizes. Rhetoric is the basis for all argument, according to the text. It is, “a process of recognizing and using the most effective strategies for influencing thought” (Argument 8). After reading the definition and information about rhetoric, I was almost enlightened. It is such a simple and logical idea though – arguing in the most efficient way for the argument. The whole concept of rhetoric shifts the purpose of an English or writing class away from the exactness of form writing and blends it with situational communication.
On an even deeper sense, rhetoric is the exploration of what makes a language mean what it means. It is really fascinating. I have never thought of an argument is such a way that I must go so deep into the situation in order to see the thoughts that the “reader” of my argument might be thinking and how I can manipulate those thoughts with my words.
I almost feel like a mad scientist controlling the minds of the people whole read my writing.
Writing Project 1:
For my WP1 I was considering looking into the argument behind some of the advertisement for SOPA and other recent controversies.
No comments:
Post a Comment