I felt that this assigned reading was interesting, because it pertains directly to how rhetoric was used within society and how it played a part in how it is still used in modern day society. It was argued in The Rhetorical Tradition that rhetoric had little importance to many, because it was outdated and considered too much of a classical area of study, and the fundamental areas within rhetoric were being applied to other studies, rather than taught just on its own.
The textbook also stated that rhetoric evolved into a more comprehensive theory of language, which is a very modernized field. Written word and speech were still important, for things such as job and community success in modern society, because practicing good language clearly is important, no matter if it pertains to classical rhetoric or not. This segment also addresses the continuing importance of logic, because it analyzes the truth and aims to find meaning within different areas of study. I felt like this segment was most prevalent and applicable to modern education now, because it highlighted the things that are taught within the classroom, and it is evident how much language has truly progressed and developed over time.
I also thought the segment addressing women's voice within society highly enlightening. As women were given more rights during this time period, they were becoming more involved in the public and in their community, and granted the right to have more of a voice. This also pertains to people of color, as well, because before, women and people of color had very little intellectual rights. This portion of the reading really highlighted the social changes that were affecting language and written discourse, which are important to acknowledge.
I also thought that it was interesting to read about the role of rhetoric in modern society. However, while you focused on the continued emphasis of logic during the twentieth century, I wrote about the emergence of creative writing as a viable discipline and its relation to psycho-analysis. I agree that the practicality of logic receives the most attention when it comes to what is being taught in the classroom today, as the technical fields are the ones that are considered to be the most useful while the humanities are seen as "electives" by the majority and not taken as seriously.
ReplyDeleteI felt that this class period really clarified a lot of questions that I personally had about rhetorics place within modern society. I felt that its place contributed greatly to the introduction of technical writing, especially in an academic setting. While rhetoric still existed, it's place seemed to be transitioning into something that was more fluid, rather than concrete, and rhetoric itself focuses mainly on the audience and topic, rather than being something that was once very rigid and highly practiced.
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