food for thought.

Rhetoric:

the study of the effective use of language.  This, in one sentence, effectively describes our class objective of the semester.  More specifically, we were taught to learn how to write as an argument.  Persuasion, the use of the rhetorical triangle and of reliable sources, when all combined in the right way, creates an argument that we have all strived to achieve.  An effective rhetorician learns from his/her previous writings.  They should take their strengths and master them, understand their weaknesses, and work on them until they are no longer this way.  Learning from previous works is the best possible way to prove you are a master of rhetoric, in this class anyway.

Paper 1 started out just as an informative paper, analyzing a source’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos.  Paper 2 moved on to multiple sources, and we had to analyze how all of these sources combined made an effective argument.  Then we turned over a page and started a new style of writing, our OWN argument.  Paper 3 was intended to define a certain word or thought process, and we had to argue whether or not this definition needed to change and why.  And now Paper 4, we integrate several people’s opinions, and make a cohesive argument on something that relates to us that we want to change.  The semester has progressed to add a new dimension for every paper we write, and that in itself has made me a better writer.

Everyone can say that they have learned a lot in this class, but I feel especially affected by it.  I didn’t even know what a claim was at the start of the semester!  Now I have learned to make a clear, defined statement that can direct the rest of my paper, just from one sentence.  The rhetorical triangle has also greatly influenced my progression in this class.  Knowing what each of the three parts are makes researching and using sources so much easier, because my brain automatically separates sections out into ethos, pathos, or logos.  From knowing these three, I can choose my audience that I want to direct my paper towards, and use the parts of the rhetorical triangle that I think would have the most influence on that type of individual.  For example, if I was making a claim towards a large group of successful businessmen, I would use more logos than pathos.  Simply thinking about how your audience can best be affected the way you want them to be can make a huge difference in how you go about writing a paper.

I am not an effective rhetorician just yet, but I am definitely on the right path to becoming one.  I still have many problems to fix in my writing that keep my paper from being incredibly persuasive, but each opportunity in this class has given me a chance to improve, and I do feel like I have gotten to be a much better writer from this.  To be honest, I don’t know if I could have done this well without such an incredible professor who took the time out of her day to work with me on a one-on-one basis.  I now have a very different outlook on rhetoric and what it really can accomplish if used in certain ways.  Thank you again for such an amazing semester and allowing me to grow.

Success.  A successful group has good group dynamics and is open to conversation and new ideas. Everyone needs to have an open mind, which will lead to interlocking ideas to get more done.  They also need to be able to cooperate well together in order to have good teamwork: there can’t just be one leader and a bunch of followers. Everyone has to contribute equally and be willing to help and put in a solid effort. When working in groups, each person needs to be organized and take responsibility for what they say they are going to do.  For example, in our group, we have started an email chain where we hit “reply all” to keep everyone informed so we can stay more connected as a group instead of seeing each other only 3 days a week.  All group members have to be considerate of each other’s ideas as well. Each person’s ideas should be treated with courtesy so that everyone gets along well and they get the most out of the experience as possible. The group has to want to work on the task given to them or there will be no motivation and it will not get done.

Group Dynamics.  In order for there to be a good group dynamic, one of the main contributing factors is that the group has to communicate.  Each member needs to feel comfortable enough to express any ideas that they may have as well as complaints. If certain group members are afraid to voice their true thoughts about the assignment and how the group is progressing, this can lead to tension and dissatisfaction in the group. As a group, each person can make sure that they have an open and approachable personality so that their other members can feel comfortable. We also believe that it is extremely important to establish an agreement at the beginning of the group planning process that states the expectations and goals that all group members have agreed on and hope to accomplish. If expectations for the group’s relationships are laid out at the start of the group planning, then great group dynamics are sure to follow.

Colaboration.  As a group of 4 girls, we are never short on words. One of the biggest things that has been beneficial to our group is being comfortable with everyone. While we initially were timid to speak up, once we got to know each other a little by making small talk, we now throw out many ideas and are not afraid to question what others say. You may ask what happens when you get too comfortable and start to disregard the feelings of others? In order to not kill each other, we take into consideration what the others have said and try to use that in whatever new idea we want to share. For example, Lindsey had an idea for a solution to our problem and Briana incorporated this idea into another to come up with our final solution.  We split up the tasks based on strengths of the individuals in the group.  If someone feels they can write a very good solution section, then that responsibility becomes theirs, and at the end we will come back together to smooth over the bumps. Overall our group works well together because we are considerate of each other and we know a little about everyone in the group outside of the classroom.

note: our group members are Nicola Welch, Lindsey Kresta, Stephanie Saling, and Briana Saldana

Nicola: {nik-uh-luh}

-noun:

1. someone who likes to be herself.  Typically seen drinking Starbucks coffee and/or participating in music.  Loves great food.  She is both a lover and a fighter.  Original, passionate, driven, determined.  Often over thinks things, which can prove to either be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the situation.  She is the artistic type that strays away from most things that are fads, just to be different.  Aviators.  Frequently she likes to work out and eat healthy, because she enjoys feeling good about herself.  Excellent multi-tasker, positive, loyal, friendly.  Works well under pressure.

2. although not an athlete by any means, she does enjoy athletic wear, such as Nike.  Practical, yet an optimist—often loves and trusts too easily.  Enjoys many things: rock climbing, horseback riding, photography (Canon), marching band, racquetball, camping.  Her style can be reflected by Anthropologie and Fossil, yet is too frugal to want to spend the money for it.  Inspiration comes often, likes to create artwork to reflect it.   Musical. Very educated in music to the point where she gets particular with audio quality—Bose.  Lives each day to the fullest, smiles because she can, and laughs to lift spirits.  Outgoing only when comfortable in her surroundings.  Likes to rummage through racks of clothing rather than have a personal shopping assistant, it’s therapeutic.  Einstein’s Bagels.  No one is like her.