Rhetoric

In Writing 001, I learned that the best quality of a writer is to know how to approach their audiences. The ability needed to accomplish this objective was Rhetoric. I learned how critical it is to apply the right rhetoric methods when addressing a particular audience to persuade readers or listeners.

 In my compare and contrast essay, I had to analyze two political speeches:  Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” and Barack Obama’s “A More Perfect Union.” I was amazed by listening and reading Barack Obama’s speech. I realized the effectiveness of making a strong argument based on the audience. In his speech as a presidential candidate, he used his former pastor’s claims against the injustices from the government towards black Americans to strengthen his argument and prove he would be an excellent president. Different from Martin Luther King jr.’s audience, where most were African Americans hungry for justice. Obama’s audiences were politicians and the United States’ voters. By addressing not only African American’s past but also white working-class and other minorities adversities. He was able to persuade his audience and could prove he was ready to be the United States’ next president. Obama’s purpose was not to increase the tension existing between two groups of people or to respond directly to his former pastor’s sermon. However, he used those claims to reinforce his argument about creating a union that would bring a real change in America.  

By analyzing both speeches for my essay, I was capable of understanding the importance of identifying my audience before I write an argument. I acquired knowledge that changed my perspective about English. I discovered what tone I should use depending on the genre of my writing. Although, transmit a message to distinct audiences is complicated. The diversity of texts I read and discussed over Writing 001 helped me to understand better how I should direct to the different audiences. For example, in “how to tame a wild tongue,” Gloria Anzaldua adapted her style, mixing Spanish and English languages in several sentences. It had a stronger impact on me as a reader since, as a Spanish native speaker, I could relate to everything she said, having a better understanding of her message. Reading several texts throughout this course helped me to identify the different tones and structures, each author uses to have a meaningful effect on the readers or listeners. I felt this helped me as a reader as well as a writer to become more concise in transmitting the right message.

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