Sunday, September 9, 2012
Response to course material: Sept. 9th 2012
So far in AP lit, we have learned primarily about the rhetorical situation, how to approach the AP test, and how to create an argument. As we all learned throughout the first week, we use the rhetorical situation all the time, and personally I never realized I was using it all this time. When I think back to other pieces of writing I have done in previous literature classes, I notice that I have used some form of the rhetorical situation. Always. Persuasive essays are the jackpot for evidence of how I have used the rhetorical situation without even realizing it. In the past, we have been told to write a certain way, by considering your audience and by thinking about what they would want to hear and how they would want to hear it. That is exactly what we see as one of the main parts of the situation itself. The purposes of the writing (reflect, persuade, entertain, and inform) help link us to how we take the AP test. The main thing to think about while testing is how. How does everything come together? How does one thing relate to another? Well, while taking the test, you have to be able to make these connections. If we hadn't learned about the rhetorical situation, it wouldn't be as easy to tackle. The rhetorical situation helps us connect the dots and make sure we use every piece of information that we can. Of course, this ties in with the use of argument. We have to consider all of this information, plus how to even set up an argument. In the past, I have written many essays arguing something. What I didn't really think about though was how to appeal to my audience. Do I want them to feel what I'm saying emotionally? Logically? or to consider their morals? Putting all of these into mind will help me on future essays and pieces of writing. With knowing how to structure my writing logically, it can make my writing that much more effective. I just have to be able to put all of the elements we learned into play, and with practice, I am sure I will be able to.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Julia, I've never really considered the rhetorical situation either. Honestly, AP Lit was the first time that I've ever even heard of the term. It's hard to keep so many things in mind while trying to write! However, I agree with you that it's something most people do naturally. Whenever I sit down to write an essay for school, I'm always thinking about how I can sound academic and smart, since the teacher is the one grading it. It's been really hard for me to apply the rhetoric to other situations though. I've been having so many difficulties trying to write my college essays, since I'm not just writing for a teacher anymore!
ReplyDeleteHey Julia, I really liked the points you brought up in your response. You connected the ideas we have learned about in an interesting way and have added many thought provoking comments. I agree with Haley and you when you guys talk about writing and considering the rhetoric situation. I tend to do it naturally as well. It is hard not to when you are consistently writing for the same people every time. Maybe we need to write to new audiences? Great job!
ReplyDeleteNice job, Julia. I really liked the way that you connected the ideas you talked about to real world situations you encountered, and where you have used them in. I think you might need to talk a little bit more about the formation of an argument and how that affects you and how everything we learned fits together. Also, you don't really embellish on the idea of AP test taking. Nice job though, I really agree that students need to have more audiences to write to because, like Haley, I'm having a tough time writing my college apps for someone other than a teacher.
ReplyDelete