Reading for August 29 (ARCS, Chapter 2. RT, Intro to Part I, Gorgias [pg. 42-46], and Dissoi Logoi [pg. 47-55])
I thought both sets of assigned readings were useful. Both, however, were vastly different. I liked how chapter 2 in Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students outlined specifically what kairos is, as well as how to analyze any rhetorical situation and apply said situation to developing a coherent, strong argument. I also thought the examples given were helpful; once a new term or situation was introduced within the chapter, a real world situation was presented, which helped me to get a better grasp on the various concepts within the text.
The assigned reading in The Rhetorical Tradition gave a good, in-depth history and analysis of classical rhetorics, as well as the various scholars who were involved and contributors in the development of rhetorics as a whole during this time period in history. I liked the introduction, because it put the time period more into perspective for the reader, rather than just relaying information on the various scholars to come out of this time period. It allowed for better understanding of the text. Overall, I felt like I was able to learn a lot from this segment. Not only was there historical background, but The Rhetorical Tradition provided a lot of written examples of speeches, as well.
I felt that these two assigned readings complimented each other, in the sense that in ARCS, a background was given about a general aspect of rhetorics that is extremely helpful and important, and in RT, it addressed the historical aspect of this development. The historical backgrounds about the various orators as well as the speeches that were provided within the chapter, was good way to apply what was learned in the chapter about kairos in ARCS, because I was able to make a connection between how this was being developed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Katie had stated about the examples given in ARCS. ARCS and our class both focus on classical rhetoric. When given current real world examples, it is easier to draw connections between the chapters in the book and what is learned in class.
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