Although I found all of Cicero’s Five Canons of Rhetoric
interesting, the concept of “style”
stood out the most. In short, style is the language one uses to present their
ideas. It is said that classical writers believed language should be clear,
lively, and appropriate for the audience. This is something that I completely
agree with. Using just the right words and approach towards the audience is
vital in gaining both their attention and respect. For example, it would be
inappropriate to write a letter to the Dean of Admissions using the kind of
language you would use to right a text to your best friend. Another good
example, is when and when not to use slang. If you wanted to receive a good
grade on a class term paper it would not be smart to use slang. Aristotle’s
ethos, logos, and pathos is also a part of the concept of style. These three
persuasion rhetorics directly relates to three (for lack of better words)
sub-concepts of style: plain style, middle style, and vigorous style. Plain
style is built by ethos; it is where you would convince the audience of your
good character by using good sense. Middle style is built by logos. And lastly,
Vigorous style is based on pathos; where you try to hit an emotional/personal
cord with your audience.
Hello WobbledyWa! I also wrote about the concept style. I agree with you that it is important to use the right words correctly in order for communication skills to get better. It is important that language should be clear when speaking so that the other person you are communicating with doesn’t get the wrong impression. I liked your example about writing a letter to the Dean of Administration. It would be very important that you speak in a more professional manner. When you talk to your best friend there is usually an understanding between you two where it is okay to use slang or talk however you feel.
ReplyDeleteHi Erica,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. I also think that the concept of “style” really stood out. I think for our generation, our “style” for communication is totally different from our parents. I am sure many of us uses slang when we text our friends. But when we are trying to write an email to our professor, work, and other organizations, we try to be as formal as we can because that is the norm for our society to follow. I love your example of writing a letter to the Dean of Admissions is inappropriate if we use to same language like how we communicate with our friends. Such a coincidence example because I just recently send an email to the dean and I found myself having a hard time picking words to use. Good job on your post!
Anny
Hello wobbledyWa,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Reading your post about style. I agree with you about style being an important concept when it comes to our form of communication. You are right about us having different styles when we communicate with different people in our lives. As speakers, we always need to know what type of audience we are speaking too, develop our speech in a way that our audience can understand and respond too. Style becomes an essential roll in persuading others to agree with us. I also believe that style has some form of connection with delivery, because delivery has to do with how we deliver our speech, and what tone of voice we use. At the end, as speakers our focus is to have a connection with our audience, and style makes this happen.
-jazzy
You are very clear with your points which make it really easy to follow. I also chose to write about one of Cicero’s Five Canons of Rhetoric. I like how you said that style is a key factor in communication because I agree with you. We have to use the correct words in order to get the point across clear. Having style in the way you write as well as the way you speak make the biggest difference and gains the audience’s attention right off the bat. I also agree that in order to have good persuasion, style is a huge factor in winning someone over. An example would be in the business of sales! Good work!
ReplyDelete