Response to James Ham's "Canon of Rhetoric-Memory"

James Ham's "Canon of Rhetoric-Memory" discusses the use of memory to aid a rhetorical argument (Ham).  I am drawn to the validity of his argument.  During the time of the Romans, memorization of the classical texts of Greek and Latin was essential to becoming a learned member of Roman citizenry.  Understanding of classical text would start with memorization, and then move onto higher cognitive thinking through analysis and application of this knowledge.  I am reminded of this fact when I judged a debate competition, recently.  During the Technology Science Academy high school competition, I found that students who could quote and apply properly information from scholarly texts performed better on average than those who did not.   Since debate is a form of rhetorical argument, I found that memorization indeed helps to "get one's point across" in a pointed way and hopefully win enough competition points.  Again I agree with James Ham's statement of knowledge "integration into one's own thoughts, adding his own personal touches, is how information is truly retained and appreciated" (Ham).

 

Ham, James. "Canon of Rhetoric-Memory." n.v. bonanzaham.blogspot.com. Blogspot.com.Web. 5 May 2011. http://bonanzaham.blogspot.com/

Kairos- An Opportune Time of Kindergarten Graduation

The rhetorical triangle includes pathos, ethos, and logos, but the fourth component is kairos.  Kairos is the Greek words meaning the "right time", "opportunity", or "season" (Ramage, 116).  Since the rhetorical triangle is made up of emotional appeal, ethical appeal, and logical appeal timing should be everything.  Timing of a rhetorical argument is essential to the overall emotional, ethical, and logical response of the call to action.  The appeal of kairos is not static but changes due to the changing response to the action (Ramage, 118). 

            The appeal to kairos has been important to the response given to the 911 tragedy.  During this time, my wife was a kindergarten teacher for a secular private school.  The kairos of the event deals with kindergarten graduation held many months later.  The previous kindergarten graduation events were based on alphabet letters and nursery rhymes.  However, this year the 2001-2002 graduation events were changed to include a patriotic theme.  This included songs of "God bless America", "This Land is Your Land", and "My Country 'Tis of Thee".  The script included small snippets of patriotic poetry and saying voiced by the students.  The flag ceremony was held with more patriotic zeal than previous years. The graduation events were highly received and well liked by the parents.  The next year the 2002-2003 graduation theme was centered on the theme of love and peace.  An overall arching theme of "let's get along" was prominent.  Songs sung were "Peace, Peace, Peace" and "Put a Little Love in Your Heart".  I know it sounds odd that I would remember this but I have had to sit through a lot of Kindergarten graduations and assemblies because of my wife.  We also discussed the changes of simply a year would bring from undying patriotism to peace.  Although at the time, I did not know the proper term of kairos but I did recognize the changeability and evolution of the kairos portion of the rhetorical argument. 

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with    Readings. 8th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. Print.

Evaluating and Understanding the Rhetoric of Web Sites

In the evaluation and understanding of source information for research, it is important to understand the "angle of vision" that the author's work is influenced by their personal beliefs and values (Ramage 360).  The angle of vision is shown through the author's figurative language, word choice and emphasis, statements, and the inclusion or the not inclusion of specific details which all work together to shape the text to reflect a specific value system (Ramage 360-61).  The credibility of the author is also derived by their credentials, affiliations, and previous publication data.  For example, an author might be considered to have a particular angle of vision if they only write for the Humane Society or the American Civil Liberties Union. 

            Further considerations in the evaluating the criteria for a Web site includes objectivity, coverage, accuracy, and currency (Ramage 365).  The objectivity of the Web site includes the site's purpose- to explain, inform, or persuade, clear understanding of the point of view, affiliations are clearly stated, and are the intended audience is identified.  The coverage of the Web site should explore in depth the information presented.  The accuracy of the information presented on the Web site should include source information and be verifiable. The information placed on the Web site should be dated and regularly updated to be current and timely.  All the information of the author's credibility, objectivity, coverage, accuracy, and currency should be considered when evaluating and understanding the rhetorical message of a particular author and Web site.  The concept of evaluating and understanding the rhetorical message in essential for a clear understand of a concept. 

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with    Readings. 8th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. Print.

Response to "The Great Proposal Argument" by Tommy Gray

"The Great Proposal Argument" by Tommy Gray discussed the eight hour workday in opposition to a ten hour workday.  According to Tommy Gray, the proposal the argument is always the same... "Eight is better than ten or twelve" (Gray). Each different proposal or argument states statistics, facts, and figures all pointed the outcome of eight hours being the optimal workday time period.  I understand that ultimately some circumstances of logistical conditions do not permit the eight hour day to be advocated in every forum but ultimately Tommy Gray does support it.  I am not sure that I agree with his opinion.  I have a variable work schedule due to military service.  Some weeks, I have worked away from home the entire week (and even months and year). At other times, I have worked a forty hour week in four days.

I do not advocate that this working period is an ultimate goal for others or even me. I know my chosen military commitment is not a typical work place or time period.  However, I prefer a work schedule of four ten hour days.  I have a three day weekend and can rest, relax, and recharge in this time period.

Gray, Tommy. "The Great Proposal Argument". n.v. Tgraysuccess. Blogspot.com. Web. 24 Apr.   2011. http://tgraysuccess.blogspot.com/

The Best Proposal Argument

The most effective proposal argument, I have ever heard and took steps to work with their call to action was the Salvation Army’s Proposal Argument.  In 2005, my son joined the Boy Scouts Troop 995 located at the Broken Arrow Salvation Army’s Boys and Girls Club.  That year the fund raiser campaign to Ring the Kettle was beginning and all Troop Members were required to participate a minimum of four hours.  The Salvation Army began to list all of the services provided in our area including an Emergency Shelter Dining Room, Transition Housing, Emergency Financial Assistance Program, Drug Rehabilitation Facility, and the Boys and Girls Club. 

At the Boys and Girls Club facility, the Boy Scout Troop is allowed to use the facility during troop functions and meetings which include a gym, swimming pool, recreation area, and kitchen. One of the most important features that the Salvation Army provides for the Boy Scout Troop is the use of vans and a small bus for troop outings. This transportation has been essential for the fifty to one hundred members to participate in trips around Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri for different outdoor facilities to complete merit badges, character development, personal fitness, and ecology training.

 Although this directly benefited my son and family, I still felt the desire to continue to do more through volunteering more time to the Kettle campaign and other fundraising opportunities in the Bouncing Bar-Be-Cue commitment.  Another personal connection to the good that the Salvation Army does in the community, a distant family member successfully attended the in house drug and alcohol treatment facility for eight months.  He has been sober for more than four years. 

I personally support the Salvation Army in my community due to the impact the programs have locally and personally.  Six years later, my son is still involved with the Salvation Army through the sponsorship of the Boy Scout Troop 995, completing his Eagle Project and is awaiting an Eagle Board for the final hurdle before obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.