This class is really awesome. I'm not sure what everyone else was expecting, but I was expecting boring readings, boring papers and boring lectures... I guess that is what the name "Issues in Composition" conjured up in my mind. I was pleasantly surprised to learn just the opposite... the readings are actually not boring and the class discussions are always interesting. The class seems to be getting into that comfort zone of being able to speak up without feeling awkward - we all know it is safe to voice our opinions without being ridiculed. Some teachers shove their opinions down your throat... but not Garrison... he actually jots down little notes of interesting things we say (I think he is going to sneak the comments into his dissertation - ha ha) Anyway... love the class.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, this class will give me great insight on how to make writing appeal to teenagers. I know reading and writing leaves a bad taste in some teens' mouths... but I am pretty sure after this class, I will be able to change some of their opinions... and how will I do that??? Yep - the art of persuasion!! I am learning so much about how truly manipulative people can be!! When you take this class, it seems to sharpen your (excuse my language) bullshit radar. Its almost like some people become transparent and you know instantly what their motives are! (My boss for instance) Not that persuading people is always a bad thing because it isn't... I was just using that as an example.

The Art of Persuasion

Emphatically YES! language is 100% persuasion... whether we are speaking aloud or just thinking - as we discussed in class when I (without shame!) admitted I talk to myself, at times trying to convince myself that it is time to get off Facebook and do my homework!

It was actually interesting that you (Kevin) brought up the blue shirt/impression of professionalism idea. Just the night before, my youngest son and I were in Pizza Hut. We like to sit around in malls and places like that - and look at the people. We are people watchers for sure! Anyway, we judge them all... as awful as that is, we judge them by their appearance. The clothes they wear, the way they carry themselves. Back to the clothes thing... there was a couple in Pizza Hut that were definitely NOT easy on the eyes. Well Ethan said, "Man Mama, they look like crack heads." Just by the way they were dressed and how they presented themselves. I doubt very seriously they were on crack! That got us to talking about people and their clothes and what they say about a person. He said "Like you, when you get dressed up for your observation days, you look like a rich snob." But I am far from that - I am WAY not rich, nor am I a snob - but just the clothes I choose to wear and when my hair and make-up are done, he thinks I look like one. I guess in a way that is persuasive, not that I am trying to say being a rich snob will get you respect or that I am trying to look like one - but I am trying to convince the teachers and students at the high school that I am professional and deserving of their respect - when in actuality, I prefer t-shirts and jeans.

Understanding Rhetoric is very important when teaching composition to students. I mean, after all, a paper written on a book is nine times out of ten a critical argument. Learning how to be persuasive in your argument is a very important tool in getting your point across and getting your side of the argument seen by others. In their lives as they get older, they are going to have to learn the fine art of persuasion - whether it is to get a job, getting accepted into college or something as simple as convincing a person of the opposite sex to go out with them. Language is a very powerful tool when used properly and persuasively.

Are We Inherently Evil?

I have sat here for a little while contemplating this question about inherent evil... the only answer that I can reasonably come up with is - of course not! What a sad realization for one to come to... Its funny actually, I am doing a mock unit in my education class on the book Lord of the Flies. I share the same opinion that the author, William Golding has - we are born in original sin. We have the capability of being either good or bad, but I would not choose the word evil. Evil to me conjures up images of demons and monsters. How we choose to live and behave in this world is just that - a choice. Our parents can teach us right from wrong, but in the end it is all up to us an individuals to decide which path to take. Take Jeffrey Dahmar for instance... I am quite certain his parents did not instill in him that mutilating young men and eating their body parts was proper behavior. He chose to be a monster. The boys responsible for the Columbine shootings... was it in them from birth to be murderers? I don't think so. As one of the girls said in class - we are all born with the ability to be good... it is all a matter of the choices we make.

I have also been thinking of the question that Kevin brought up about abortion. There are far more women that choose to give birth to their babies than choose to abort them. I suppose I am going on my own experiences when I say that women are more selfless than men. I found myself pregnant at a very inopportune time - I was a senior in high school and abortion was not the choice I made. But I stand by my argument that women are the more selfless sex. For example - it is said that we all, as humans, have the selfish need to procreate... well then tell me why so many men are disappointed each time their women give birth to girls. They are the ones that are convinced you are a "real man" if your produce a make offspring. Why? So their name can be carried on... I may be generalizing here, but it seems to me, in my experience, that women are deliriously happy either way - they just want a healthy baby - regardless of the gender. So maybe it IS all about the MEN'S selfish need to procreate. And lets not forget all the deadbeat dads out there. My father was about the most selfish man alive... perhaps I am a bit jaded when it comes to the subject of fathers, and men in general. My experiences have not all been so great. My children's father is extremely selfish and puts his needs before his children's every time. I, on the other hand, would give my life for my children and my mother would have done the same for me or my brother.

Evil? No. Capable of evil? I give that question a resounding yes.