Rhetorical Analysis Of How Humanities Can Help Fix The World

On February 14, 2016, the Chronicle of Higher Education published an essay by Julio M. Ottino and Gary Saul Morson entitled “Building a Bridge Between Engineering and the Humanities.” Ottino and Morson discuss the importance of the fields of engineering and the humanities. The purpose of the essay is to show how engineering and the humanities are linked together and are needed simultaneously. Even though, Morson and Ottino adopt a weak informal tone in the middle of their argument; the authors end their argument strong by successfully using ethos and logos to appeal to their audience, college and university faculty and administrators.

In an article entitled “The Humanist Vocation”, which appeared in the New York Times, David Brooks, a well known columnist, and an op-ed editor for the New York Times, claims that the decline in numbers of humanities graduates is due to the humanists’ loss of interest and faith in their mission, supporting his claims with lines from a note written by one of the history teachers of the University of Chicago back when he himself was a freshman. Brooks is definitely right when he tries to link this decrease in humanities majors, however, he does not fully succeed in tackling the real issue behind the drastic change.

Humanities are required for the development of an individual’s creativity and expression, without these skills our society would be monotonous and bland. Our nation was built on the ideals of freedom and democracy, and although math and science help us to progress economically and technologically, they don’t help individuals to express themselves to be effectively represented by our government.

Judith Butler wrote this article to argue against the belief that scholarly writing is overcomplicated just to boast intelligence. Butler begins by explaining how scholars, whose work topics focus on he humanities, are accused of bad writing by the journal Philosophy and Literature. She believes that intellectuals in such fields should explain how their work interplays in everyday life, but that these intellectuals should also create new ways of looking at the world. A more socially just world would be possible if common sense were to be challenged. Butler’s definition of common sense is different than traditionally thought of. While common sense may be defined as having good judgment in practical matters to most, she seems to define it as an old way of thinking, stating that, “Many quite nefarious ideologies pass for common sense. For decades of American history, it was ‘common sense’ in some quarters for white people to own slaves and for women not to vote.” (p.147) She thinks that for society to improve,

In this paper, I plan to argue the ideas by Edward Conard, in his argument that we don’t need more humanities major in our academic system. In specific, this paper will explore the writer’s claims, the gaps in his arguments and counter-arguments in this topic. My argument is important because I will challenge Conard’s article with the self-fashioning’s article by Keohane.

At the beginning of this article he states “colleges and universities are primarily vehicles for the preservation, development and transmission of our intellectual culture (scientific, humanistic and artistic).” He then goes on to explain that we expect colleges and universities to provide

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an autobiography in which Mr. Douglass tells his life story. He was born into slavery and experienced many harsh realities that shaped his life. Frederick Douglass was a free black man at the time in which he told this story. He is writing to his audience to inform them about slavery. His claim is that slavery is bad and must be stopped. His experiences help form his rhetoric as a credible speaker; His use of pathos truly develops the negative emotional and physical aspects of slavery on slaves.

Democracy has always been threatened by illiteracy. There are a few ways in which democracy has been threatened by illiteracy. These ways are, people forging a vote, not understanding instructions on medication, and traveling out to the streets. These three things are a huge problem for illiterates. In order to prevent illiteracy one must open themselves to the world and learn about democracy. As James Madison stated, “A people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives” (Kozol 114).

The Australian Curriculum for the Humanities and Social Sciences plays an important role in harnessing students’ curiosity and imagination about the world they live in and empowers them to actively shape their lives; make reflective, informed decisions; value their belonging in a diverse and dynamic society; and positively contribute locally, nationally, regionally and

In his article “If Technology Is Making Us Stupid, It’s Not Technology’s Fault,” David Theo Goldberg effectively informs the reader about the effects that computers in the home and school environment could have on the future education of the coming generations. Goldberg achieves this by executing defined organization and adding unique comparisons about the potentially crippling effects technology can have on a society when put into the wrong hands.

Humanities and Social sciences is one of the most important subjects in the Australian Curriculum because it leads students into learning about people and how people interact with each other and the environment. It is foundational to sustainable practices and civic responsibility.

The rhetorical situation is defined as the context of a rhetorical event that consists of an issue, an audience, and a set of restraints. While this may be true, there are many interpretations and versions of these situations. In David Bartholomae’s text, “Inventing the University,” he explains the situation of college students learning to fit the requirements of their college professors. Another author named Kevin Davis formulated an essay titled, “Does Coming to College Mean Becoming Someone New,” explores a similar situation of university students in terms of their commitments and changes they make to succeed in college. Bartholomae’s rhetorical situation is persuading college professors to understand that students have a problem with

As a modern-day student of English Composition, how is the study of rhetoric and rhetorical canon valuable to me? Prior to beginning this assignment I had very little knowledge of the term rhetoric, or rhetorical cannon when asked to write anything. In elementary school, our teachers taught us sentence structure, vocabulary, and the basics of writing for testing purposes, nevertheless reading this assignment showed me that rhetoric is basically the core of almost everything that we read every day.

Transferring to California State University, Sacramento was the most optimal decision that I have made recently this year and so far, it has been an enjoyable yet compelling one because of the helpful environment around me. Compared to the other two colleges I attended in the past in Stockton, California, I believe Sacramento State University has better resources and opportunities to grow as a student. Some of the resources I have utilized here are the Writing Center and PARC, but I plan to branch out and explore many others I have heard about. Although my major is Mechanical Engineering, I still have other classes that I am required to take in order graduate in Spring of 2020, such as English 109W for my undergraduate GWAR. Before entering English 109W, my mind was set on just completing the course and getting a good enough grade to move on to my Writing Intensive course, the last English class I would take in college. I thought that my writing skills were above

Rhetoric is a course in which students are taught the values of persuasion. And yet, behind this course is the utmost power to corrupt the world, changing it into a world of our own policies. This power, even though seldom discussed, has lead to many intriguing discoveries. One such discovery is how people are able to shape the world they live in simply by choosing the right words. Therefore those who would want the world to be a better place must protect this power. If in the wrong hands this power could cause serious damage. Several authors have striven to protect rhetoric and its power. Few agree on the matter of defining rhetoric, but they know that they must protect rhetoric from dark souls. A single definition of rhetoric must maintain a simplistic nature while incorporating every aspect of rhetoric. However, I argue that rhetoric is a means of persuading audiences of a situation and a particular reality through language and personal appeal. In order to prove this definition I will discuss how rhetoric creates a situation, the shaping of a different reality, the audience, the use of language, and the personal appeal. Finally, I will demonstrate the absolute need for rhetoric.