During this spring semester, my ability to analyze arguments has been challenged and enhanced. Coming into English 1020 I considered myself pretty good at analyzing arguments and information presented to me. However, I soon discovered that my analytical skills could be greatly improved. Typically, analysis is thought to be the connections of each detail; we usually just play connect the dots with the information that we have until we have a common understanding of the meaning. While, this method allows us to reach a reasonable conclusion, a more in-depth meaning can often be found and is at the heart of a work. After broadening my analytical horizons, I am able to find a deeper meaning behind an argument and develop my own p
ersuasive arguments.
My first eye-opening area about arguments took place in the ad analysis essay. Within this paper, the elements of persuasive appeals played a key role. The elements of persuasive appeals are important because they essentially communicate the significance and importance of the argument. Before understanding these elements and the ad analysis paper, I did not realize the effect and power rhetorical appeals have on consumers, and even me. I never understood why certain advertisements appealed to me and the hold they had on the decisions that I have made. Advertisers use rhetorical appeals to communicate to the consumer’s logic, emotions, and ethically sound perspectives. I now understand that advertisers use every aspect of their advertisement to appeal to their audience; this includes not only the design, writing, spokes model choices, and images, but also the small details like the shape of a background object to appeal to the audience. By understanding these elements and appeals, I can target my audience more personally through my argument by appealing to them logically, ethically, and emotionally. This technique becomes important in my everyday work environment; by observing the children’s reactions, family atmospheres, and behavior patterns, I am able to persuade the child to listen, behave, and participate in activities by appealing to their emotions of what they want. This also comes into play at staff meetings when I am presenting my opinions and ideas. By personally involving myself with coworkers and addressing how the solutions would work in their everyday classroom environment, I can develop my argument to appeal to them in a logical, emotional, and ethical way in order to gain their support and agreement for the problems at hand.
To further my effectiveness in arguments, I dissected and develop the art of questioning. In class, we looked at the Monty Python “She’s a Witch” video clip. In this video clip, the town authority asked a sequence of serious questions to discover the root of townspeople’s argument about why this woman is a witch. After a few questions, the town authority began to realize the flaws of the townspeople logic. This class activity allowed us to discuss and see the importance of distinguishing logical fallacies and legitimate reasoning. This ability is used daily when working at a preschool. By using the art of questioning, I am able to discover two different sides of the story and distinguish which is the truth. This is also important in everyday decisions; we are able to reason out flawed opinions and arguments by theoretically applying them to everyday life and questioning the outcomes.
Overall, this skills learned and developed in this class have enhanced my abilities to distinguish arguments and develop my own and help make every day decisions. Though many times I was ready to quit, my perseverance has allowed me to not only be tested mentally, but now I can be tested in the psychical world by how I apply my new and developed knowledge to future issues.
What's up with that? 