5 Cognate Strategies in Writing
University of the People
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for BUS 1105
BUS 1105: BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
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Instructor: Rita Ogbeama
April 26, 2017 5 Cognate Strategies in Writing
In Chapter 4 we were able to discuss the Rhetorical elements and Cognate strategies that help us as writers be more effective and efficient. The Cognate strategies were developed by Charles Kostelnick and David Roberts. The word “cognate” refers to knowledge, and these strategies are techniques to impart knowledge to your audience which are effective both in oral and written communication.
The first cognate strategy is Clarity. Many times when we are going to write we have the ideas in our mind of what we want to share and express to our reader, however the problem is that many times we do not write it clear enough for the reader to understand what we wanted to say. The words we use, the structure and the presentation all form how clear we are writing to our
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As a good writer we will naturally develop a relationship with our reader, and the need to make trust an element is key to that development. The word “credibility” comes from the word “credence,” or belief. Credibility involves your qualities, capabilities, or power to elicit from the audience belief in your character. Developing a sense of our character and credibility may involve displaying our real us and our sense of humor, our ability to make our reader laugh or cry, the ability to share our experiences and get the reader’s trust or all the ability to share personal insight into the topic we are discussing. All of these helps developing character and trust. In my school we develop credibility by doing what we promise, for example if a parent asks for a letter, we make sure that the letter is completed for when we said it will be ready. This helps the parents trust us as a school
David Foster Wallace, author of the essay “Authority and American Usage*,” praises and advocates for “good” writers who have a strong rhetorical ability, which he defines as “the persuasive use of language to influence the thoughts and actions of an audience” (Wallace 628). To have a strong rhetorical ability, an author needs to be aware of whom their audience is, in order to present their information in a way that will be influential on their audience. Wallace recognizes that an author who applies a strong rhetorical ability will be able to connect with the audience so that they respond “not just to [their] utterance but also to [them]” (Wallace 641). An author needs to take into consideration not just content, syntax and grammatical
the seed of doubt in the mind of the reader as to the credibility of
Rhetorical devices are structures used in literature, to convey ideas to an audience. Such devices can be used to appeal to a group logically, emotionally, and ethically. Yet, how people incorporate rhetoric into a form of literature can differ. George W. Bush and Patrick Henry, have both given speeches using rhetorical devices. Henry’s and Bush’s speeches were different in style because of the differences in how Bush and Henry argued, how they used allusions, and how pathos was applied into the speeches.
The more favorably listeners view a speaker’s competence and character, the more likely they are to accept what the speaker says.
Analyzing Stylistic Choices helps you see the linguistic and rhetorical choices writers make to inform or convince readers.
Rhetorical strategies are techniques writers use for a particular effect. In previous classes, you might have been introduced to them as “literary devices” – others will be completely new to you. When thinking of language choices that we make when writing or speaking, think of it like this -- everyone draws from a “toolbox” of rhetorical strategies as they express ideas and evoke responses in their readers. The more “tricks” of language that you know, the more effectively you can say what you want in the most effective way.
My, writing strategy utilizing rhetorical knowledge has been significantly improved through concentrated techniques aimed at developing paragraph construction by use of rhetorical modes.
To begin with, rhetorical strategies are techniques which writers use in their article to assert and persuade the audience about a specific point. These techniques can include narratives, descriptive, and cause and effect. Using these strategies, a writer is able to introduce the topic and provide examples in order to achieve their purpose, which could be a variety of different things.
S.L.O.: Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given reading and writing situations.
The credibility of a person depends on many different elements. Credibility can pertain to trustworthiness and expertise. Trustworthiness is affected by things like reliability and characteristics of the person. Expertise is affected by credentials and proven skill (Flanagin, Metzger, 4). The same person may be perceived as credible at one point in time, but may lack credibility later in time. Credibility is largely based on what we as a society are experiencing during that time period. Small things may affect credibility that we would not originally think to include. If a person were to see an ad every day about a certain lawyer, they might think of the lawyer if it comes a time for them to need a lawyer. But if someone were to hear about how wonderful a certain lawyer is from a friend or coworker, that person would be more likely to use that lawyer if the need arose. It stands to reason that people are more likely to trust people they know blindly when it comes to credibility. Appearance is another aspect of credibility that would not always be considered. Much of the time it is subconscious, but people are more likely to trust a person or service if the staff or spokesperson is attractive physically
In writing, one of the most important elements is the words used to get the point across or convey a
Building trust takes time and effort up front. It takes deep commitment and follow-through. It pays off.
To begin with, rhetorical strategies are techniques which writers use in their article to assert and persuade the audience about a specific point. These techniques can include narratives, descriptive, and cause and effect. Using these strategies, a writer is able to introduce the topic and provide examples in order to achieve their purpose, which could be a variety of different things.
The fifth Cognate Strategies selected is Engagement – An appointment or arrangement; an encounter, conflict, or battle; a pledge; an obligation or agreement - Dictionary.com. The word Engagement can possess several meanings throughout a sentence depending on the subject matter. People can listen and engage in the conversation or topic being discussed. This means that your audience is going to have a connection or attachment to your information or story given. It can also be known as a commitment or an appointment related to performance, task or event. In my case when in the military, we have several missions where we have to engage the enemy in order to quell or control a disturbance in a region or town. This took a team of soldiers that
When I think of the creditability of a person I think, it is someone who is knowledgeable about the topic and is someone who lives that life. Credibility is the quality of being trusted and believed in. Have you ever been asked or thought back to information you received on a topic? One of the things you need to think about is, is this a creditable source.