Rhetoric, sweet rhetoric; these are the sentiments which should fill my heart by the end of the semester, or at least they should be representative of my grade. Besides getting an A in this class, I would love to love rhetoric. Our lovely green book sheds some pretty flattering light on the rhetorical situation and the power encompassed in such a remarkable tool. It gives the impression that if one can harness the power of persuasion; you have harnessed the power to procure whatever your heart desires.
Now of course there will need to be much instruction on the subject, as well as much studying and practicing, but these things can be accomplished. The other thing to be accomplished is the ability to write papers quickly and efficiently. I want to have confidence in my writing and not have to worry about everyone else’s paper because I know that I have the skills and the persuasion to not only make my point, but to convince my teacher that I deserve an A since obviously I am an amazing writer.
Within this class I want to have fun learning, as we have been doing with discussion and movie clips and examples that explain and showcase rhetoric in an environment where question are welcomed. I want to have the best English 150 class I want to be part of the smartest and most fun class of any semester. Class should be something that is looked forward to and not dreaded.
I want to be able to come into class with my rough draft and have people tell me not only that yes there are things you need to fix, but give good feedback so that I can understand my audience and understand what pathos I can use to make the paper an A+ masterpiece. I want to be able to sit down and type out 600 words on any topic in less than a half an hour. Quick writing is essential to efficiency in college and in the workplace. I will not have the time to sit around and contemplate about what phrasing I should use or if it’s persuading. I want rhetoric to be second nature to me as I write. I also want to be natural at good grammar and literary devices.
Not only do I want to write rhetoric I want to realize when it is being used on me. I want to be able to read critically anything I pick up, the power of discernment is an essential part of the survivor’s toolbox. Discernment will allow me to detect plays on my emotion and will allow me to decide whether I truly believe what they are trying to convey. This helps in not only a secular way with politicians and journal articles and business proposals, but also in spiritual matters. Satan uses his powers of persuasion on us all the time and I want the ability to see that yes this person is tempting me and no I know that they are using logic and rationalization as well as my emotions to break my barriers. This could ultimately help me to be a better person as I use my powers of discernment to choose the right as the choices are laid before me and be guided by my intellect and the spirit.
Above all what I want most out of this class is to have fun and experience college, by gaining tools that will make the rest of my collegiate career easier for having taken this class.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
600 glorious words concerning my life!
In the large hospital of Layton a tiny baby girl was born on her great-grandmothers 100th birthday, and so they named her Marissa Laurette Campbell. They brought her to the home which would be the site for many adventures! First of which was travelling to the exotic and dry landscape known as the backyard by jumping from trash can lid to trash can lid all the way to the swings, a frequent destination. Climbing the neighbors cherry tree and gorging herself with the delectable fruits.
Unfortunately about the age of four, when she and her older sister Krista had received their first kitten, news was sent to say they would be moving to Delaware. After a last Utah birthday with an amazing Skipper Barbie doll cake the move was made. It seemed to be a mansion with its cathedral ceiling, but these thoughts diminished with age. Though Marissa and Krista did have a large bedroom with beds on opposite sides. It was a haven for midnight adventures concerning pirates, while during the day the mattresses were dragged halfway off their frames to create slides. As the two travelled through their mattress travels Crest Kids toothpaste was rationed as food. When the bedroom became too confining the two girls broke out the large papa bear sleeping bag, buried themselves inside and tumbled down two flights of stairs repeatedly, never was such fun had! Fall brought great outdoor games with the neighborhood gang who had enormous kick-the-can, tag, war, and hide-and-go-seek tournaments. The Blizzard of '96 provided unheard of fun. Large sleds were connected to Uncle Artie's truck and then pairs of children would ride the neighborhood streets as if tubing on the water, bumping over wakes and waves of snow, occasionally getting thrown into drifts. Her mother and father created an entire snow living room, while Marissa's friend Caitlin was the proud owner of a towering snow slide! In previous winters sledding was conducted in a best friend's backyard, where her father had built a jump that led right into the beginnings of the forest, and thence toward a slow flowing river. After everyone had gone in to savor hot chocolate, Marissa and her mischievous friend Carolyn went sledding! Being a small child Carolyn flew off the jump and out onto the ice of the river which broke! Marissa was able to pull her friend out before anything could happen!
After only two fun filled years the neighborhood gang was sent off to school, to become educated and learned members of society. In Mrs. Valentine's kindergarten class fun was everywhere. From singing and dance time, to painting, and cooking green eggs and ham, there was never a dull moment. But as they must good times passed away and it was time to move into the schoolyard big leagues, first grade! Lunch was always the most exciting part of the day because of the amazing packs of chocolate milk. These were always amusing to Marissa and her friends on Dad's For Breakfast Days because inevitably all the dads ended up with chocolate milk or orange juice all over their work shirts due to an elusive straw technique. The elementary years passed all to quickly as did the fun of chasing boys at recess, singing in choirs, field day, and crazy arts and crafts.
Most importantly next came High School!
In this era sports were most actively pursued in the forms of Field Hockey and Lacrosse. The academic world was extremely challenging, and increased in difficulty with each passing grade. Then came senior year with the dreaded Senior Research Project and the anticipated day of graduation. Then with diploma in hand Marissa and Erin ran for the door toward college! No more early morning seminary or crazy Charter uniform shirts!
At the conclusion of an exciting summer of hostessing at The Charcoal Pit and serving pizza at Sbarro's Marissa hastily packed her things and moved to Utah for college. The big adventure had begun!
Unfortunately about the age of four, when she and her older sister Krista had received their first kitten, news was sent to say they would be moving to Delaware. After a last Utah birthday with an amazing Skipper Barbie doll cake the move was made. It seemed to be a mansion with its cathedral ceiling, but these thoughts diminished with age. Though Marissa and Krista did have a large bedroom with beds on opposite sides. It was a haven for midnight adventures concerning pirates, while during the day the mattresses were dragged halfway off their frames to create slides. As the two travelled through their mattress travels Crest Kids toothpaste was rationed as food. When the bedroom became too confining the two girls broke out the large papa bear sleeping bag, buried themselves inside and tumbled down two flights of stairs repeatedly, never was such fun had! Fall brought great outdoor games with the neighborhood gang who had enormous kick-the-can, tag, war, and hide-and-go-seek tournaments. The Blizzard of '96 provided unheard of fun. Large sleds were connected to Uncle Artie's truck and then pairs of children would ride the neighborhood streets as if tubing on the water, bumping over wakes and waves of snow, occasionally getting thrown into drifts. Her mother and father created an entire snow living room, while Marissa's friend Caitlin was the proud owner of a towering snow slide! In previous winters sledding was conducted in a best friend's backyard, where her father had built a jump that led right into the beginnings of the forest, and thence toward a slow flowing river. After everyone had gone in to savor hot chocolate, Marissa and her mischievous friend Carolyn went sledding! Being a small child Carolyn flew off the jump and out onto the ice of the river which broke! Marissa was able to pull her friend out before anything could happen!
After only two fun filled years the neighborhood gang was sent off to school, to become educated and learned members of society. In Mrs. Valentine's kindergarten class fun was everywhere. From singing and dance time, to painting, and cooking green eggs and ham, there was never a dull moment. But as they must good times passed away and it was time to move into the schoolyard big leagues, first grade! Lunch was always the most exciting part of the day because of the amazing packs of chocolate milk. These were always amusing to Marissa and her friends on Dad's For Breakfast Days because inevitably all the dads ended up with chocolate milk or orange juice all over their work shirts due to an elusive straw technique. The elementary years passed all to quickly as did the fun of chasing boys at recess, singing in choirs, field day, and crazy arts and crafts.
Most importantly next came High School!
In this era sports were most actively pursued in the forms of Field Hockey and Lacrosse. The academic world was extremely challenging, and increased in difficulty with each passing grade. Then came senior year with the dreaded Senior Research Project and the anticipated day of graduation. Then with diploma in hand Marissa and Erin ran for the door toward college! No more early morning seminary or crazy Charter uniform shirts!
At the conclusion of an exciting summer of hostessing at The Charcoal Pit and serving pizza at Sbarro's Marissa hastily packed her things and moved to Utah for college. The big adventure had begun!
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