Rougher than Rough Draft

Argument is Everywhere

As I began writing my paper on how I can effectively write by understand and applying rhetoric, I began my research with a definition from webster “Rhetoric is the art of speaking or writing effectively” What does that truly mean? Does it happen in everyday conversations? Let’s break down rhetoric from the famous Aristotle, he believes that rhetoric is “the ability, in each particular case to see the available means of persuasion.” He mentioned three main forms of rhetoric — Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. Would understanding these three forms of rhetoric help me to become a better writer? As I prepared to write my paper, I was reunited with my old friend Bombe Lee, who attended the military right out of high school and is now a Captain in the United States Army. 

We got the guys together and hangout like old times. However, I realized our conversations with one another isn’t quite what it used to be. Instead of talking about how we are gonna best each other in the latest video game as we would’ve when we were in high school, our conversations always ended up debating on current social issues and this time was no differ. We all sat outside of a local Starbucks and began to debate about the roles of science in christianity and the validation behind such claims. Bombe and Brian were the head of the debate as each made their statement that was backed by a solid track of empirical evidence, it was well thought out. They would quote verses from the bible, from well known authors and key figures such as Ken Ham and Bill Nye. About two hours into the conversation — still speechless siting in my chair — I began to realized the use of rhetoric is unfolding right in front of my eyes. I see the use of the three artistic proofs to validate their stance, appealing from Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. 

I came to realized that even in real life situations we are all prone to think like a writer. It started with Ethos, an argument that starts with credibility. Without credibility, the statements being made cannot possibly make a stance and expect the readers to agree or disagree the position at hand. Lunsford points out that “When writers and speakers come across as trustworthy, audiences are likely to listen to and accept their arguments…” (26) Language can also define the character of the writer, using languages that are too strong or extreme can cause the reader to mark the writer as someone that is bias or even loony. Their credibility comes from knowing the bible and its quotes from the back of their head, doing extensive research by listening to NPR with its prominent key figures in religion and science. It made me believe every word they speak because of the credibility they made for themselves. 

Then I notice the use of Pathos was presented when an argument was made by Brian, using his experience in life to relate to the argument, it was clever and to the point. I felt an emotion reach upon hearing his words of how he found God and had spoken to him in an indirect way. Rather than to stop and think about the logic behind it, I was persuaded by the emotions behind his story . Lunsford states “making an emotional appeal that can create bond between writer and readers” (26). However, Pathos can corrupt the judgement as Aristotle warns us. He advises writers at length in getting readers to receive ideas by making them “pleased and friendly” or “pained and hostile”, playing on reader’s emotions can, in ways, make them mindless of concepts and consequences and will ultimately lead to the corruption of judgement. 

The reason everything sound so believable was that both parties presented the facts, the use of logic, also known as Logos. Brian made the claim that to be able to see his point of view, one has to look upon the events of the world from God’s point of view, in his words “from the top looking down” to understand his words and his meaning. If both of them didn’t quote from passages from the bible or from key experts Ken Ham or Bill Nye, I would most likely would’ve questioned their stance as it would just be an opinion rather than a factual, logical statements. Lunsford believes “audiences respond well to the use of reasons and evidence — to the presentation of facts, statistics, credible testimony, cogent examples, or even a narrative or story that embodies a sound reason in support of an argument” (27). At the end of it all, Bombe reach out to thank Brian for the great argument they just had. He felt that the argument was intellectual, mind opening, and within reasons. At that moment, I had an understanding, that the use of Rhetoric is all around us and that the same rules can be applied when it is being used in writing. 

I knew that from the moment the argument ended that studying a piece of writing from Bombe and understanding his use of rhetoric will give me a direction in bettering my writing. In Bombe’s statement of Purpose, he explained why he is interested in earning a MA in communication in conjunction to help boost his career in the Army. In his writing, he talks about his position during his deployment as a Platoon Leader and Convoy Commander for 2nd Platoon of the 109th Quartermaster Company. Bombe’s experience in Afghanistan was frightening but also in his eyes an extremely rewarding one. Through it, he was able to work with some of the most intelligent and gifted people from around the world. As I examine this piece of writing, I realized that the used of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos were presented throughout. Creating his credibility by stating his position in the army as well as tying his educational goals has made myself, as a reader, earn a respect for his career goals. The experience during his deployment in Afghanistan — which includes complex attacks, ambushes, and improvised explosive device attacks— made an emotional attachment by understanding the pain and hardships that Bombe might’ve experienced. Finally with his use of reason and logic to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Communications at John Hopkins University, he believes that it will give him the opportunity to work in overseas assignment as a defense attache or as a political military planner for a service headquarters, Joint Staff, or in other agencies in the Department of Defense in various locations around the world. By earning his MA, he will have a competitive advantage as well as giving him the essential skills in furthering his career. 

Bombe knows his audience well as he wrote this paper, appealing to them using the art of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. It also made me realized that using rhetoric in my own writings will help me further along in my own career in the field of Photography. The audience will be clients that will ultimately select me from the many applying for the job at hand. The use of Rhetoric is all around us, from the conversation with our friends, to the application of our education that may land us the next step in our career paths. We must not forget the steps in creating a meaningful piece of writing as it will be essential for our future.