As we moved into the Renaissance period of rhetoric, I definitely saw the shift from sweeping one-sided speeches into consideration for the audience, or audiences. I admit, I chuckled a little reading Erasmus' "Copia" (especially the section on "Indecent Words") because he went into such great detail. But I also had to admit that his methods have a rhyme and reason. Each word choice corresponds to the audience, written or spoken. When he goes into the methods, some of them may seem inane or self-explanatory, but how many of us read, or hear, rhetoric that makes us want to put a fork in our eyes? The same words and word usage repeated in the same text, or large, grandiose phrases when short and sweet would suffice. I paid particular attention to Method 9, "amplification." Broken down into two types, augmentation/comparison and inference, these are methods I've heard used in every-day rhetoric and considered exaggeration for effect. But after reading, and re-reading, about these devices, they have become more than mere ways to expand on the topic at hand. For instance, as I listen to state and local election campaign ads on the radio, Candidate A may state that Candidate B voted against a tax that would increase funds for education, therefore inferring that Candidate B is against education. I would argue that this type of truth-stretching is why Toulmin came up with his system of logic - the warrant must connect the data. Or, rather, the inference (claim?) must have a substantive argument (warrant) that backs up the political ad (data). I'm not suggesting this is the primary reason, but I believe if someone subjected political ads to Toulmin's logic, there would be some serious rhetorical failures.
What I also noticed from the lengthy introduction into the Renaissance rhetoric is how humanism encouraged rhetors to be more concerned with the effect of their speeches and texts. A little like the ancient scholars they studied (Cicero seemed to be a favorite), it wasn't enough to be an excellent rhetor; now a man needed to use words to be a responsible, moral citizen. I think humanism stressed this more than the ancients, but the Renaissance saw more than just nobles or elected officials getting involved in public affairs. Even women are encouraged and invited to study and learn, BUT only as long as their pursuits remained inactive, or merely a hobby, until marriage or orders. Baby steps, I guess.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
My dialectic project
In order to understand the rhetoric about women in direct combat, I want to address the verbiage used to define what "direct combat" is, how "risk" is applied to the occupational specialties within the military branches, and whether or not these are adequately applied in a neutral manner.
As I developed my course discussion document, I realized that those who make the cases for and against women in direct combat take a political stand or a "boots on the ground" stand. Within even those conversations, there are overt and covert definitions applied by commanders down to squad leaders as they attempt to determine what, or where, the line is drawn. Terms like "collocated," "unit-level," "readiness," and "mission" may create pigeon holes or loopholes, depending on the level at which the dialogues are taking place.
Through dissection of the language, the ethical and societal implications should be apparent. However, I want to keep the main focus on how the rhetorical aspects of full integration hinder or help in placing women in what the military (and society?) consider male combat roles.
As I developed my course discussion document, I realized that those who make the cases for and against women in direct combat take a political stand or a "boots on the ground" stand. Within even those conversations, there are overt and covert definitions applied by commanders down to squad leaders as they attempt to determine what, or where, the line is drawn. Terms like "collocated," "unit-level," "readiness," and "mission" may create pigeon holes or loopholes, depending on the level at which the dialogues are taking place.
Through dissection of the language, the ethical and societal implications should be apparent. However, I want to keep the main focus on how the rhetorical aspects of full integration hinder or help in placing women in what the military (and society?) consider male combat roles.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Old School! Ars Dictaminis
To Professor Richard Rice, sublime in mastery of
Aristotelian argot and Dragganian dialectic, from Lancia Stewart in her ardent and
faithful scholarship, voicing willing obedience and professing earnest
friendship.
This humble student wishes glad tidings upon your endeavors and those of kith and kin,
with sincere aspirations of future collaboration. As I proceed upward in avid
fellowship of esteemed learning, I entreat your tenacity of wit and steadfast
dedication to secure conscience and veracity in rhetorical thought, word, and
deed. To these ends, I importune upon your knowledge and generosity to guide my modest
ventures. Your mindful tutelage shall underpin my examinations of nebulous
parlance in martial colloquy and quest to unravel the Gordian Knot of statecraft seductions. The fruit of these blessings I shall bestow to your credit and virtue, and therefore grant
supplication to academia in your honorable service.
Always Thy Servant and Ever Respectfully, Lancia Stewart
Friday, October 10, 2014
Hello, Ashoka students!
1. "What do you think of India?"
My first response is the richness of color. The clothing, the spices, the flora and fauna, the environment, even the skin tones... so much color. Perhaps that's a stereotype, but it's my first response to the cultural idea of India. Colors are contextual, expressive, and activate the other senses.
2. "What does it feel like to be an American?"
I do feel proud to be an American, but not necessarily in an "us vs them" manner. I served for 23 years in the military, so I encountered Americans from widely differing backgrounds and viewpoints. Perhaps I sound simplistic when I say that America, for me, is sitting with my coworkers at 3:00am discussing politics, philosophy, books, world events, TV shows, or whatever comes to mind. It's a binding that crosses barriers because we were all in the same situation together. However, it exists outside the military; I found circles of friends when I was in my bachelor's program. I guess "American" is reaching out to find common ground wherever you are, though I'm saddened that some prefer to keep America within strict boundaries - physical or metaphysical.
3. Is the idea of home related to my identity?
That's a tough one. Now, I'm a native Texan, and we are generally known for our great pride in our state. Do I identify as a Texan? Yes. Does it mean that "home" is wherever I find other Texans? Sometimes, but the same can be said for others who are seeking a community of similar interests when they are in foreign places. That being said, I actually identify home with my personal nickname - given to me when I was three weeks old. (Don't ask, I'm not telling!) I know I'm "home" when I hear this nickname because it's mine alone, and those who use it are family and friends very close to me.
4. (Paraphrase) Is home the place where we can be engulfed by chaos and not have it affect us?
I hope I caught this question correctly. I think chaos, at home, is a double-edged sword. We are surrounded by things and people we know, which should help us deal with craziness all around us. We can let down our guards and be ourselves because home is (should be?) the place that accepts the good and the bad about us. (This reminds of the song "In The Garage" by Weezer.) However, it never stays within the walls, does it? Or, if we try to keep it there by bottling it up when we walk outside, it eventually escapes. And perhaps it should - are we really true to ourselves if we mask that chaotic side of our lives from others?
5. What would I define as homelessness?
Homelessness is a sense that you have no base, no foundation, nowhere that you can start from and move. Perhaps it sounds trite to use this - almost like a stock answer. But there are those who are homeless, physically, who are happy to be this way, or find solace in knowing they are among those who understand them (see question 4). But true homelessness isn't about whether or not you have walls and a bed; it's about whether or not you have any connections at all.
6. What is language within the idea of home?
Aside from actual language spoken (dialect, ethnicity, etc.) language informs your view of the world. I can only answer this through a personal anecdote. In my home, I never heard racial slurs, or I couldn't do something because I was a girl, or any sort of labeling due to someone's background. (If I did, it was so infrequent that I can't recall any of it.) So, I grew up without thinking "because he or she is (fill in the blank)." There are times when I had to educate myself on a topic because I never knew it was a topic, or my knowledge was severely limited. This education helped me explain things to my children so I can give the most unbiased answer to the questions they're bound to ask. So, language has its place in the home, but sometimes the lack of language is just as formative. Does that make sense?
7. Five things home means to me...
1. A center from which everything else is based.
2. The kitchen table, where my family congregates to talk. And this is commonplace throughout all the branches of my family tree.
3. Smells, sights, sounds of familiarity, even if it's only a temporary place (as I moved from assignment to assignment) or the place where I intend to plant my roots for as long as I can.
4. Where my books are - no matter where I go, I need books. Sometimes home started at the nearest bookstore.
5. Family - my actual family, or my military family, my "school" family, or my roller derby family...
My first response is the richness of color. The clothing, the spices, the flora and fauna, the environment, even the skin tones... so much color. Perhaps that's a stereotype, but it's my first response to the cultural idea of India. Colors are contextual, expressive, and activate the other senses.
2. "What does it feel like to be an American?"
I do feel proud to be an American, but not necessarily in an "us vs them" manner. I served for 23 years in the military, so I encountered Americans from widely differing backgrounds and viewpoints. Perhaps I sound simplistic when I say that America, for me, is sitting with my coworkers at 3:00am discussing politics, philosophy, books, world events, TV shows, or whatever comes to mind. It's a binding that crosses barriers because we were all in the same situation together. However, it exists outside the military; I found circles of friends when I was in my bachelor's program. I guess "American" is reaching out to find common ground wherever you are, though I'm saddened that some prefer to keep America within strict boundaries - physical or metaphysical.
3. Is the idea of home related to my identity?
That's a tough one. Now, I'm a native Texan, and we are generally known for our great pride in our state. Do I identify as a Texan? Yes. Does it mean that "home" is wherever I find other Texans? Sometimes, but the same can be said for others who are seeking a community of similar interests when they are in foreign places. That being said, I actually identify home with my personal nickname - given to me when I was three weeks old. (Don't ask, I'm not telling!) I know I'm "home" when I hear this nickname because it's mine alone, and those who use it are family and friends very close to me.
4. (Paraphrase) Is home the place where we can be engulfed by chaos and not have it affect us?
I hope I caught this question correctly. I think chaos, at home, is a double-edged sword. We are surrounded by things and people we know, which should help us deal with craziness all around us. We can let down our guards and be ourselves because home is (should be?) the place that accepts the good and the bad about us. (This reminds of the song "In The Garage" by Weezer.) However, it never stays within the walls, does it? Or, if we try to keep it there by bottling it up when we walk outside, it eventually escapes. And perhaps it should - are we really true to ourselves if we mask that chaotic side of our lives from others?
5. What would I define as homelessness?
Homelessness is a sense that you have no base, no foundation, nowhere that you can start from and move. Perhaps it sounds trite to use this - almost like a stock answer. But there are those who are homeless, physically, who are happy to be this way, or find solace in knowing they are among those who understand them (see question 4). But true homelessness isn't about whether or not you have walls and a bed; it's about whether or not you have any connections at all.
6. What is language within the idea of home?
Aside from actual language spoken (dialect, ethnicity, etc.) language informs your view of the world. I can only answer this through a personal anecdote. In my home, I never heard racial slurs, or I couldn't do something because I was a girl, or any sort of labeling due to someone's background. (If I did, it was so infrequent that I can't recall any of it.) So, I grew up without thinking "because he or she is (fill in the blank)." There are times when I had to educate myself on a topic because I never knew it was a topic, or my knowledge was severely limited. This education helped me explain things to my children so I can give the most unbiased answer to the questions they're bound to ask. So, language has its place in the home, but sometimes the lack of language is just as formative. Does that make sense?
7. Five things home means to me...
1. A center from which everything else is based.
2. The kitchen table, where my family congregates to talk. And this is commonplace throughout all the branches of my family tree.
3. Smells, sights, sounds of familiarity, even if it's only a temporary place (as I moved from assignment to assignment) or the place where I intend to plant my roots for as long as I can.
4. Where my books are - no matter where I go, I need books. Sometimes home started at the nearest bookstore.
5. Family - my actual family, or my military family, my "school" family, or my roller derby family...
Friday, October 3, 2014
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