Aristotle - The ability to discover the available means of persuasion in a given situation. John Poulakos art which seeks to capture in opportune moments that which is appropriate and attempts to suggest that which is possible The idea of rhetorical citizenship is derived from the connotations behind what it means to be a citizen, and how citizens use rhetoric and are influenced by it. In an attempt to understand rhetorical citizenship, both rhetoric and citizenship will be defined and analyzed then look at how their definitions and meanings correlate to ultimately define the idea of rhetorical citizenship. Rhetoric Rhetoric is an interesting topic. The idea behind it at its core is using communication effectively. But as a means to use rhetoric rhetorically its definition is changed to meet the needs of the situation. Each rhetorician defines rhetoric differently to meet their needs and essentially rhetoric is subjected to rhetoric. Therefore, rhetoric for my purpose needs a solid definition and to do so I will analyze professional opinions on rhetoric to discover my own rhetorically defined idea of rhetoric. As stated, rhetoric at its core is communicating effectively. Any type of communication consists of or has the potential to consist of rhetoric. Aristotle clarifies this idea of rhetoric saying it is the ability to discover the available means of persuasion in a given situation. As Aristotle proposed, rhetoric is a skill and; it is called upon to be used for a purpose. But it seems his definition is almost passive by Comment [BA1]: Your paper should follow MLA format. It should always be on the far left and look as follows: Name: Instructor: Course Number: Date: Day/Month/Year Formatted: Centered Comment [BA2]: You need to cite these and place them in quotes.
Comment [BA3]: I suggest integrating these definitions into your introductory paragraph. The introduction looks a bit small, so working these into it would make it stronger Comment [BA4]: I know what you are trying to say, but I think you could say it in a clearer way. Your thesis statement should be direct and concise. You could say something like, By defining and analyzing rhetoric and citizenship, a clearer meaning and correlation is discovered that better defines the idea of rhetorical citizenship Think of it as a cause and effect situation. What are you doing and what will it do Comment [BA5]: I would use either idea behind it or at its corethey suggest the same thing. Comment [BA6]: Needs to be clearer Comment [BA7]: Needs citation nature. One only calls upon the rhetoric skill for a necessary means. But Iin fact, rhetoric is not a skill that is employed when necessary, but an active idea many use everyday unknowingly. John Poulakos idea of rhetoric states the art which seeks to capture in opportune moments that which is appropriate and attempts to suggest that which is possible. Poulakos suggests a more aggressive and active idea of rhetoric. He uses the word seeks meaning the user of rhetoric is active in their pursuit of it. Both definitions seem to define rhetoric as a dual sided idea. Whether you can use can employ it through a learned ability or it is an almost unconscious pursuit toward all that is possible in a situation. Citizenship
The best way Ccitizenship is best described in the comes from a movie from 1997 film called Starship Troopers. The movie has an undertone of this dilemma usingof a civilian versus a citizen. A civilian is essentially any one person strictly born into society; the person is granted civilian status through birth. However, citizenship is an earned title. The best example is stated in the movieThe film suggests this by stating a citizen accepts personal responsibility for the safety of the body politic, defending it with his life, a civilian does not. A civilian becomes a citizen through devotion to what is called the Federation in the movie. The idea behind civilian and citizenship in the movie is to give society a respect toward those that devote themselves to bettering the community through duty to someone or something else. Citizenship is something that is earned. A person must *have+ the courage to make the safety of the human race their personal responsibility. One cannot force citizenship on to another. But Uusing resources granted to each civilian, each member of society has an opportunity to earn this unofficial title in their community. For example, education is a largely granted to every United States civilian. No matter what income you have, or where you live, public education is available. The idea of education being available in the United States is very clear because the country is ruled for the people, by the Comment [BA8]: Citation needed. Formatted: Font: Italic Comment [BA9]: Great Example. Formatted: Font: Italic Comment [BA10]: Citation needed Comment [BA11]: Citation needed people. This means that every individual has a say in the governing body through democracy; therefore, an educated mass is essential so that the people can make informed decisions on who should run the country. And by Oone can participate in their citizenship status by accepting this personal responsibility of their part in government to elect a worthy leader.
Rhetorical Citizenship
Examining both rhetoric and citizenship shows that one can express their citizenship through rhetoric. As Aristotle described rhetoric as a persuasive stance, suggesting that a citizen can use writing, verbal communication, affiliation with clubs and organizations, clothing worn, places to live, places to visit, and really any action that you choose has an a rhetorical motive. A person can choose to support a political candidate or take a stance on an issue and use their power of rhetoric to express this. Once a person accepts their responsibility toward the body politic, they can then employ the means at which to use their available resources to express their responsibility. For example, an eighteen year old male decides after high school to enter in the armed services. He chooses this as a personal choice and is willing to service his country through such an act. By doing so he is expressing a rhetorical choice. He is of age to join the military, is not bound by schooling or other obligations, and has the available means to join the military. Therefore, he has taken a silence form of communication toward society. He is serving his country as a citizen and expressing to people a higher calling of duty and honor. And he had done so because he was given the available choices and took the opportunity to make it. Therefore, he expressed his rhetorical citizenship through his available choices, his expression toward society, and serving his community through serving his country.
Sponsorship through Rhetorical Citizenship
Every person has the capacity to learn and develop skills to be used through their community. Finding these talents and putting them to good use is an inherent duty each person has toward one another. Serving each other in this manner is what it means to be a rhetorical citizen. However, But discovering these talents is half the battle. Not everyone is born knowing what to do or how to service. Getting a proper education is one means of obtaining an idea of ones skills, but really it comes down to certain events or people that show us who we are and what we are good for. Deborah Brandt defines theses events or people as sponsors saying they are any agent, local or distant, concrete or abstract, who enable, support, teach, model, as well as recruit (166). Clarifying on the meaning ofn these sponsors, I will look toward myself as an example on how sponsors have helped me discover my rhetorical citizenship. I received my first real teachings of citizenship in junior high school in 2005 on the cross country team. In 2005, I was a part of the Tuslaw Mustangs Cross Country team on the outskirts of Massillon, Ohio. During this time, I was about fourteen years old and still very immature concerningin ideals and on life in general. Yet, But my time on the cross country team taught me many forms of self discipline and always pursuing the best you can do, not what others expect of you. Life is about pursuing your excellence not matter what that may be. My cross country coach, Mr. Brightman, told said one day during cross country practice that I see a lot of potential in you, Derek. You have so much drive and determination. Use that to push yourself further. This phrase sticks with me still today. I use it for more than just running practice but as a general life lesson, as I am sure Brightman meant it as much. This phrase has guided me to always pursue my best in everything I do and each day I should look to do better than I did yesterday. I found that my citizenship to be the same way. One should take it as a personal goal to achieve more today than yesterday and tomorrow more than today. As long as we as people push ourselves we will service each through inspiration. Though cross country taught me drive and gave me motivation, I still had yet to discover how to use it. Where was I going to use my passion? With what? What was I good at that I could? These are several questions I ask myself all the up until very recently in 2011 and 2012. Through several classes I took, I first began to discover that I had a passion for writing. I first realized it in my English Composition II class but later it evolved from writing into a more of a passion for rhetoric, using communication effectively. I began to discover what I liked but I still had yet to discover what to do with that passion. So I decided to take a career planning at UCF that allowed me to discover that legal studies and technical communication were several things I enjoyed doing. So I figured out that I could use my rhetorical citizenship toward writing and serving my community that way.
Derek, I liked the information and observations that you provided in this paper; however, you need to take some time and review MLA format and improve the structure. The link that Dr. Scott mentioned in class would benefit you a lot. Purdue OWL. Your paper should always have a solid introduction and conclusion. While you did have a thesis statement in your introduction, the introduction itself could be made longer. You will need to create a conclusion that sums up your paper. Avoid starting sentences with with , and, and but, and so. Make sure your headings are all the same size. I noticed that they switch back and forth. Subheadings can be smaller, but make sure they are meant to be subheadings. You did a great job of following the requirements concerning content. I would go a little deeper and expand on the second sponsor. Then, connect them together somehow. Again, you provided excellent examples. Create a Works Cited page that lists all of your references. Edited by Brittney Adams, 5/24/12
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Social Change Through Training and Education: Volume Iii— the 'Clothing' for Effective Policing: Cultural Competency, Spirituality and Ethics (Cultural Competency Self-Assessment Tool Included)