Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Josh on thinking rhetorically

Thinking Rhetorically   Josh Westrick




“The only real alternative to war is rhetoric”. Professor Wayne booth used this quote at a conference just after the 9/11 attacks. This statement created waves, as it was a statement that fit the times, we lived in. A country on the brink of war, the only alternative was rhetoric. The world is a war-ravaged place and mix of ideas that cause a stir of emotions. But the statement he made that day holds true.  Words can be used for persuasion or violence. The pursuit of rhetorical thinking gives us a tool that allows for meaningful discussion and helps to create an understanding of ideas. This chapter hits heavily on learning to listen and think critically before you speak. The book gives a basic tool kit for rhetorical thinking that resonates with me.
                                 I.            How do you want to come across to your audience?
                               II.            What can you do to represent yourself as knowledgeable and credible?
                             III.            What can you do to show respect both for your audience and for those whose work and thinking you engage with?
                            IV.            How can you show that you have your audience’s best interests at heart?
These basic rules will help those that you wish to engage with, hear what you have to say and think critically themselves. These guidelines though cannot force others to listen to your ideas or take them seriously. Those that do not question their own beliefs will never see anything wrong with the thoughts they hold. 

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