The Five Canons of Rhetoric

I was interested to read about The Five Canons of Rhetoric in our reading this week in Chapter One.  I have always prided myself in being able to write papers well during my college career, but I have a fear of public speaking.  During my paper writing process, I use the first three parts:  invention, style and arrangement.  I first must decide on what I want to write about, what I feel knowledgeable about and a topic that I feel I can express thru my writing well.  Then I must decide what kind of style I will use when writing the paper.  Is it informational?  Persuasive?  Then I must arrange my paper into the best format:  introduction, body and conclusion.  Turning my paper into a speech would require the final two parts:  memory and delivery.  I would need to memorize my paper and be able to recite it without sounding monotonous or boring.  And most importantly, I would need to deliver my speech to the audience in a way that would capture their attention and emotions.  For me personally I believe delivery is the most important part of your speech because it holds the power as to whether or not you will get the attention of your audience.

Orator - Morally Good?

I don’t believe that to be an orator and individual has to be morally good.  I hope that they are but this is not always the case.  I believe in laws of karma, and to live your life doing unto others.  Most public speakers deliver a speech with all of the things the audience wants to hear, even if they cannot deliver.  Most presidential candidates promise lower taxes, better healthcare, etc. just to win your vote.  It’s not just what you say, but how you deliver it.  It’s about making a connection with the audience.  I think the audience wants to hear goodness and truth from the orator, they want something/someone they can believe in and that gives them hope.  Whether it be a presidential candidate or the pastor of your church, each individual person takes something different away from the speech.  More often or not it is what they can relate to in their everyday life and inspires them to create change for the better in their lives.

Speaker I Admire

One of the most compelling speeches I ever heard was in my Human Sexuality class last semester.  We had to watch a video that was a speech given by Keith Obermann regarding Proposition 8, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry.  I was moved to tears upon hearing his stance regarding same-sex marriage and will never forget his passion that came thru in his speech.  One of the most memorable parts in his speech was when he stated “In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want -- a chance to be a little less alone in the world.”  I think that Mr. Obermann was able to persuade his audience all three ways, but if I had to pick one it would be pathos, the ability to arouse emotions.  By speaking on a level that we can all relate to and applying it to everyday life, he impacted me on an issue that I was indifferent to.  I think my ability to be compassionate, a good listener, optimistic and having common sense are all qualities that would enhance my ability to persuade.  However, I tried this theory out yesterday and asked for a raise and was unsuccessful so clearly I have room to improve!  I think that Aristotle’s classification scheme worked for Mr. Obermann because all three powers of persuasion were evident.    The speech was riddled with his personal character and how he stated that he has no personal investment in Prop 8.  He aroused emotions by providing a platform that we can all relate to, a chance at happiness and permanence.  And his speech was logical and concise, allowing us to ponder what Prop 8 really means to us.  If any of you have time, I highly encourage you to watch the below link, it was very powerful, no matter what side of the fence you are on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21xdFUp-vVU

All About Me!

Hello everyone!  I go by Missy, I am 39 years old and have been going to Sierra part-time for the last 2 years while juggling working full-time and raising two teenage kids.  I recently changed my major from Nursing to Accounting because of the odds of getting into the Nursing program at Sierra and also because I have done Accounting in one form or another for the past 20 years.  In my free time (what’s that?!?) I love to travel with my kids, spend time with friends, go to Giants games or go to live music shows.  I am a self professed concert junkie!!  So far this year I have been to five concerts and still counting!

I have zero experience in communication studies.  I honestly have dreaded taking Speech class to the point of considering dropping out of college at the thought of getting up in front of a class and talking.  I don’t like being the center of attention and have a hard time expressing myself verbally.  However, I am always open to new ideas and learning styles and hope that if I can take one thing away from this class it is to better communicate with the rest of the world, whether it be verbal or written, personally or professionally.