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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ever since we talked in class about language being completely persuasive I have been reading into EVERYTHING... not just what I am trying to convince people of but also what others are trying to persuade me to believe. I used to think that people simply dressed based on preference but I agree... you dress certain ways to persuade the kind of people that are in that enviornment. Something to think about... if a very intelligent accountant wore sweat pants and a t shirt he wouldnt be any less intelligent, so why do we insist on wasting the time and money?
ReplyDeleteI loved your post Melissa. I feel the same way when I get dressed up-if my students only knew the minute I get home its back into jeans and sneakers, haha.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that teaching English is, in a way, teaching students how to be persuasive with their writing.
In response to the comment preceeding mine, I think that as a society we have chosen these clothing stereotypes, and that yes, the accountant wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt would be looked down on and possible even fired. This may go back to the selfish gene theory, in that a boss wants HIS employees to look the best and carry themselves in a way that makes people buy into his company.
I feel like your post really put our discussion about persuaion in perspective for me. I totally agree with you in how everything we do, even how we dress, expresses some use of persuasion. I really understood where you were coming from with the whole jeans and t shirt kind of person but becoming someone completely different when put in a different style of clothing. If it were up to me I would wear jeans and a t shirt every day, which to class I do. But now that I am about to start my observation I'm looking for new clothes that will give off a more professional look and it's now all connecting that I'm doing that to attempt to persuade my students and advisors that I am that professional young adult teacher that they can take seriously. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you said about people's appearance and what it could say about someone. But on the same token I don't think it is fair to base your initial judgment of someone on their outward appearance (which I think is done far too often, especially in the professional world!) I think it is simply human nature to do so, as I think you would agree with. Whether we like to admit it we are all people watchers in our own right and I think this is simply human instinct
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. The sad thing is that I don't think many people are aware of what they are convincing others of with their outward appearances. Language and rhetoric can be used greatly to your advantage when you know what you are doing, but if you are unaware of what you are really communicating, the same rhetoric can be a huge impediment.
ReplyDelete