A couple essays, speeches, projects, and many blog posts later….I’d like to say I’ve learned quite a bit.
Most of all, though, I’d like to say that I have learned how to analyze. I know that sounds a bit broad, but let me explain. First, we started out with looking at advertisements and such rhetorically, and we learned how to dig beneath the obvious surface to pick apart the choices that were made in order to produce a specific effect. Then, we looked at the “artifact” of time and analyzed what specific steps were taken in culture to produce a specific effect. Finally, we looked at many different speeches and talks to discern what choices were made in its presentation to produce a specific effect.
After this semester, you would think I’ve learned how to produce a specific effect on them to the point of Jedi mind powers. And it’s true – I feel like I have!
In addition, I have particularly enjoyed and gotten the most out of the practice of and instruction in rhetoric. The ideas presented at the beginning of the semester truly, again, analyzed the issues with faulty arguments. The class, the text, the discussions essentially put into words what I could not before: why so many arguments and “discussions” seem to be doomed to stagnant polarized views rather than compromise. In addition, not only did the class provide answers as to why the arguments were faulty, but it also provided the format for true, fair discussion. And that, to me, was truly the most valuable acquired knowledge.
Finally, while I am proud of any steps I’ve taken so far in public speaking, I’d like to continue to improve until the idea essentially is no longer a stressful experience. Also, I’d like to continue to delve further into the simple idea of figuring out my own opinions and uncovering why exactly I feel the way I do about issues. I, ideally, hope to challenge myself most in this way, and I think the “This I Believe” assignment next semester will help most with that.