Hmm... rhetoric = persuasion. Therefore by approaching each situation carefully and choosing my words very carefully and convincingly - perhaps it will be possible to use it to my advantage.

Maybe I could take my boss in the office and say, "Look, this is my claim. I am a great employee. I come in and cover whenever you ask, I stay late when you need me and I never call in sick. I think it is time for you to give me a raise." My claim is backed up by facts... the fact that I am sick of busting my butt for a measly 6.75 and hour. I could even take it as far as comparing myself to the other employees that slack off and yet seem to make more than me. That would just be more evidence to back up my claim an surely that would do the trick.

There is also the relationship part of my life. Yes, my boyfriend of 2 years wants to get married... but (and there is a huge but) I have been married before. All I got was 1/4 of a carat... now if you know anything about jewelry, you know that the only way to see THAT diamond is with a microscope. So my claim? "Yes, I will marry you, but only if you get me at least 1 carat." My evidence to convince him that I deserve a carat? "Look, honey, I put up with you having a mistress - her name is Texas Longhorn football - and I put up with you constantly changing the radio station to talk news radio when we are in the car, I also pacify you by letting you hold the remote control when we watch TV... and patiently sit through you flipping from ESPN to Fox News every five minutes and last but not least, I have yet to kill your monster in the front yard that ripped my favorite jeans with his razor sharp teeth... need I go on?" And I am more than certain I will get my 1 carat, pear shaped, high quality, platinum wedding band set!!

Oh I love the art of persuasion!! =)