Unit 3 Personal Blog Post: Persuasive Appeals

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos were all used in my recent post this week posted in the Community blog. All three of these strategies were needed in order to get my point across. In addition, I think that when you have to write a persuasive blog that all three strategies are needed.  Ethos in a persuasive blog is critical because it helps with merging the bridge of credibility between the reader and the author. Also, ethos creates character in the blog which is needed for the reader to relate.  The use of pathos is very important because it creates the emotional element that is needed to draw in the reader to understand the purpose of the blog.  There has to be a purpose so that the reader feels an emotional tug on his/her own heart.  And then the use of Logos, is just as important because it displays the reasoning behind why the author is writing what he is writing about.  This week in my community post I discussed the current pandemic that is taking place in the world today Covid-19.  The use of ethos in my post was the fact that I wanted to appeal to the reader through the facts of what has been presented to us already about the concerns of the virus and the importance of staying home as much as possible.  The pathos strategy in my post was one that appealed to the author through my own life experience with the recent knowing of a close friend of the family having been diagnosed with Covid-19.  This emotional appeal was one that I wanted the reader to understand how much this pains me but how it could pain them if it was someone who they were very close to that was infected by the virus. And then the logos in my post was the reasoning behind why I expressed the “stay home” and not to go out for non-essential goods. Furthermore, I think that all three strategies are effective and connect with a blog and the reader. However, I think that the usage of pathos is probably the most effective and necessary strategy to implement when looking to persuade a reader.  The main reason is because the use of pathos is based on the emotional aspect from the author.  If the author is able to connect with the reader on an emotional level then the element of persuasion is very easy and the other two strategies will fall into play.

Science of Persuassion

People will follow credible knowledge of an expert, is the concept of Authority.  The idea of Authority in a blog is very important.  The role of this concept is to provide a message that the audience wants to read and is able to relate to the message. In addition, the goal of authority is to develop a relationship between the reader and the author.  All of the keys are important, but I think that the key of liking is less important in a blog.  The idea of liking is one that shows the similarities between the reader and the audience as well as expecting some type of recognition which is not necessary in a blog.  Credibility, rhetoric, and to inspire are some of the strategies needed in persuasive blogs.  Credibility, is important because it builds a foundation of what is mean in the message and what is deemed to be truthful. Blogs have been seen as being not as credible as a personal narrative. Therefore, a blog has to be written in a way that shows how credible the author is within his/her message. The strategy of rhetoric is not what is said but how it is said.  Blogs have to be written in a way that the reader has to not think about the words but instead is able to apply the words to their own life. The more rhetoric that is in a blog the better chance that blog will be relatable and be a passage that the reader wants to read and enjoys reading. Another, strategy that is necessary in a blog would be the strategy of inspiring.  Again, a blog is a short story in most cases and has to get to the point that the reader is trying to portray in the quickest manner as possible. So, in order to write a successful blog, there needs to be a message that inspires the reader to want to read beyond the text and potentially read more of the same passage or a passage from the same author but with a different message.  I think that bloggers use all three ethos, pathos and logos in their writing.  The goal of a blog is to create a sense of credibly, emotion and reasoning all in one.  With that being said all three of these are utilized in a successful blog.  For example, referencing Julie and Julia from last week. Julie’s blogs used all of these elements.  The ethos that she used was the fact that she references Julia Child’s previous recipes to create a level of credibility to the audience so that they knew her material was relevant.  The level of pathos in Julies blogs, was the fact that she used her daily actions and what she experienced daily as a form of emotion.  For example, when she talks about the sound of lobsters and relates it to her life that is a sense of emotion.  And logos was also used in her blogs based on the message that she was sharing and how she was getting her audience to see the meaning behind her daily blogs and how they were not just about cooking but about her daily life and what she wanted out of her life.   I do think that this differs from traditional essayist because of the nature of the material written today compared to historians.  Traditional essayist wrote based on life experiences so that the reader could learned and live in the life of what was experience. Where today essayist writes more to create a level of emotional connection and reliability of the message being written.

The Art of the Personal Essay

 “The Art of Influence”, was a striking piece of literature with over seventy-five personal essays written by various scholars.  What strikes me in this passage is that throughout most of the passage the authors tone is very consistent.  The tone throughout this passage is one that is genuine, honest and delivered in more of a friendly manner than of one that is demanding.  In the first part of the passage, written by Lopate, he expresses how a personal essay is noted more as friend than an author. “It’s friendly, conversational tone, its drive toward candor and confession, and its often-quirky first-person voice.”  

The first section alone of this passage makes me realize how important honesty and integrity is when it comes to the ability to influence or persuade an individual in ones writing.  In Lopate’s writing he allows for the reader to learn about life lessons that have not been shared with anyone or that he does not want shared with the reader.   This alone shows me as a writer that in order to be an influencer through my writing I have to gain that same level of trust from my reader through honesty, and more important being conversational.  I know as a writer that I tend to write what I think and what my views are. With that being said, I know that it is important to maintain a level of conversation so that there is a communication between the reader and the writer.  This communication is the understanding of what is written by me the writer and what is assumed by the reader.

Social media plays a huge role in Influencing people.  Before social media we relied on “word of mouth”, leaning on what others had to say about a piece of writing.  Also, before social media we had to rely on reviewing multiple documents to see if there was credibly and validity of the material that was being presented.  However, today social media today has changed how we view material and has influenced the reader and the author that much more.  Social media, is no considered to be the norm of how material is presented.  The more an author is able to get his/her passage reviewed or shared on social media the more the passage is viewed as a work of art.  Moreover, social media has a mixed role of being both positive and negative.  The positive aspect of social media is that it allows for a passage to be view easier and more regular. Also, it allows for the reader to receive immediate feedback, therefore being able to make changes as needed to any new piece that will be written. However, the negative impact of social media is that the document is readily available. So in the event the piece of writing is not well written or not in the form as what the author wanted then that will display a lack of credibility of the author, which in the long run could hurt the authors ability to write more pieces to reach his/her audience.

Being able to influence someone can be done intentionally and unintentionally.  Over the years, there have been times when I was influenced to do something that I was not comfortable doing. Also, I have been influenced unintentionally as well.  The unintentionally that I speak of is where one is influenced based on the outcomes of others actions. Even when those actions are not the right actions that need to be represented.  For example, a couple of years ago a group of my friends decided that they wanted to go rock climbing. I did not want to do it, however, after watching them all go and talk about how much fun it was, I decided I would try. Now I am afraid of heights but because everyone else was doing it and I was at the bottom looking up I had to try for myself.  Therefore, the unintentional influence here was the fact of me seeing how much fun everyone else was having and I was not. I was afraid of falling or getting hurt, but no one else did before me in my group of friends or the others that were at the wall.  

Unit 2 - Truth in Memior

Is it a “true memoir or a fictionalized one” you tell me?  This is the main argument in this entire dissertation.  Over the past weeks, memoirs have been one of the main areas we have looked at. Thinking of what a memoir is to me, it is a truthful document that provides an authentic voice or tone that is used to put the reader in the same set of minds or physical setting that he/she had experienced.  The issue in the dissertation is one that is unique to memoirs. Why you say? Because the issue is the ability to write a memoir that is truthful and accurate.  In doing so there have been memoirs that are not true memoirs. “Did they move between fiction and nonfiction restlessly until the true voice of the piece was clear? (truth in memoir, 2013). So how does the author address these issues? In a method that would be able to characterize different forms of memoirs to determine what would be the a “true memoir”.  “Different forms of writing not only come from the different people we are at different stages of our lives; they also require different writerly approaches and techniques. Smith and Watson illustrate how these techniques and practices of remembering change, using the observations of leading scholars and theorists” (truth in memoir,2013).  So the argument of tension in truth, non-fictional and fictionalized memoirs is still relevant today.  Is there a strong argument? No, there is not a strong argument, for example, “Memoir, according to academic and writer, Enza Gandolfo, is an increasingly popular genre that continues to be seen primarily as the individual’s story (truth in memoir, 2013). The goal of a memoir is to share fictionalized data that has impacted an individual or a group of individuals based on a particular time in history.  So a “true memoir” can have “truth in tension” and can be a fictionalized one as well.  A memoir is a piece of work that is unique to the author that is writing.  Every memoir will be different, every memoir will have a different tone, and every memoir will be unique to the person and the audience that is reading the memoir.

Journal 6 - My Memoir

What do I hope to gain from writing a memoir?  Writing a memoir is new to me, something that I am not familiar with. But, from what I have learned so far in this class is that a memoir is based on observation, truth and emotion that has given me a different viewpoint on life in general. So when writing this memoir I want the reader to experience how major life changes to my family was a challenge, a blessing and life altering.  I plan to share these elements being direct, but yet truthful, with the intent of being able to have the reader relate to the memoir.  More importantly, I hope to set a tone that is consistent throughout the entire memoir. The tone that I want my reader to experience is one that conveys details and is very descriptive with the hope of the reader relating to my memoir. 

Journal 5: Memior Mindset

As I think about writing a short memoir there are a few ideas that come to mind that would be good to write about.  The ideas that I think would be interesting and easy to write a memoir about would be my Family life, personal struggles growing up and life changes and the experiences through these changes that have impacted my life. 

    As stated in other forums, my family life would be a good idea as it pertains to a memoir mainly based on the various events in my life that have shaped who I am as a person.  Throughout my life I have had to be independent, relying on me to get what needed to get done, even getting to college.  

    Personal struggles, would also be another good idea to write a memoir about.  Throughout my life growing up there have been many personal struggles that I have had to deal with in order to achieve the small goals that I have set for myself.  Also, these personal struggles have come with little or no help from family, again making a lot of my personal struggles my own problems that I have had to overcome by myself. 

    Another idea would be life changes that I have experiences and the impact that these changes have had on my life and the advice that I have gained from these changes.  A big life change in my life would have been the addition to my family, my beloved dog Harlee.  Adding Harleee to my life has been a blessing in desiguesd.  She has been a great addition to the family and in many cases feel as if she is my own personal therapy pup, being there for me when I need her and showing me the same love and affection that I have shown her over the couple of years she has been in my life.

Journal 4: Feelings if you only kne

Too many times in life I have been hurt by others. No one understands my feelings or thoughts as it pertains to life.  So what are my true feelings? Why do I feel I get hurt?  It is simple, my true feelings are what make who I am. I am a caring person who wants to be liked. But a caring person that will not force anyone to like me.  There are times when my feelings are so hard to handle that my own family does not want to be around me.

The feelings that I speak of are those that show others how passionate I am about others and making sure that those in my life are cared for and know that they have meaning. As I look at my field of education while in college. I am in the medical field? Why you ask, because of those feelings of care, compassion and wanting to help others that are in need.

So the hurt, well that comes from those that do not understand that my own feelings are true and are genuine. I have had so much hurt in life from obstacles and those that have passed away that the hurt is there. So that hurt is one that can not always be taken away. The hurt that hurts, is the hurt of a friend that does not listen to you or assumes the wrong of you.  That hurt is one that is hard to recover from. Because that hurt is not physical hurt but emotional and emotional hurt, hurts more each day, compared to the physical hurt that can hurt immediately and then heal.

Journal 3: Its me, Its me !

Why don’t people understand me or understand what I mean? Is it hard to see that I am a very transparent person?   I am who I am and will always be that person. I do not try to come off sarcastic but direct and honest at all times. But so many times, people do not understand my tone of voice. However, it is even harder to understand me because of technology.

I am not a vocal person, one that wants to be on the phone. I am more of someone that likes to text. Why you ask? Because through text I can express my thoughts without being judge. In text I can keep a journal of the words that were said. In text, I can reference what was said to me so that I do not take the meaning out of context.

The other day, a friend of mine had an argument about what was said in a group setting. I know what I said and I know what was said to me. But face-to-face the words were changed to make it seem like I was in the wrong. Text, well that could not be changed. Text showed that I was not lying. Text showed that I was not being sarcastic. Text showed that I was being me and only me like I said I am.  So as I said it is me, it is me. I am who I am and will be in person and in text. If you do not understand what I mean then take the time to read what I said. Take the time to listen to my words and the tone.

Journal Entry 2: Take a Picture

Take a picture it will last longer! That is right take a picture and don’t stare at me! That is how I feel when it comes to talking to people that are not really interested in talking to me to know me but have other hidden agendas.  Yeah, you heard me other hidden agendas, like trying to talk to me to see if I can be of benefit with work, or even better to get closer to a friend of mine. 

I have been guarded all of my life because so many times when I think that someone wants to be my friend or get to know me that is not the case. People wonder why I live a private life, well this would be why. It seems like yesterday, that I just wanted to tell someone to take a picture it will last longer. 

Yes, that person who I started talking to that seemed to be interested in getting to know me and wanting to be a friend decided that was not their own agenda. Started chatting via social media, talking on phone and even hanging out with each other and groups of people. It all seemed to be good, but what seemed to be good was just what I wanted to be good. 

So again, take a picture! If you want to be my friend then be my friend be honest, be open and show that you care. You don’t have to show you care based on what you do but based on your actions. As the old saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words”. So show me that you are a friend and don’t tell me.  Better yet, don’t judge me or criticize me get to know me, or if you really don’t want to know me then again, “Take a Picture it will last longer!” 

Journal Entry 1: Why a diary?

The Samuel Pepys diary video in week three provided a better understanding as to why a journal or a diary is important. Samuel Pepys kept a diary of major life changing events that affected him and others while living in England. So why would I want to keep a diary? Why would I want to write down what happens daily?  Well, after watching Samuel Pepys video it is important for me to keep my own diary. I can not control much, except for me and only me. I can not control time; I can not control the days.  So since I can not control either of those I need to keep track of my days and what happens. A dairy is not just a journal of how I feel or what happened, but can be a gift that I can give to my own children.  So again, I ask myself why a diary? It is not about me or about keeping track of my own doing but about what I can pass along to other generations in my own family and my children of what I experienced and the type of life I lived so that they can see the difference in how time has changed each individuals lifestyle, morals  and ethics to that point.

Writing as Self-Reflection

Writing as Communication 

What does it mean to be “writing as communication”?  It means to write in a way that guides others in the direction as to where you want to lead them. “ When we wish others to understand what we have written or to accept what we have put down on paper, we are faced with the responsibilities inherent in the desire to communicate rather than to express.” This means that writing is a responsibility that provides a message to the reader as to what is not implied but meant in the reading. Also, when writing it is important to think of the reader as a consumer. A consumer is a person that is looking to make a purchase or is in need of something and will make an immediate decision. The writing of an individual has to be the same. It has to provide a sense of meaning and want that the reader will not want to put down the material but instead keep reading trying to find additional time to keep the material in their hands and not setting down until they are finished. “All of us are consumers of ideas even more than we are producers of ideas. It is to the difference between the two concepts that I would call your attention, for it is to our failure to draw this distinction that I attribute much of the dissatisfaction that hovers over our teaching of writing.”

Goody-two-shoes is what I do not want to be

A Goody-two-shoes is what I do not want to be. A goody-two shoes really isn’t me. “Be willing to put your whole life on the line when you sit down for writing practice.”  Okay, a goody-two-shoes might actually be me. Knowing that there is a deadline and only so much time in the day I have to make sure that there is a plan in place from sunrise to sun-down.  A goody-two-shoes has always been me when it comes to any type of writing assignment. Not knowing what to write about, but knowing that the assignment due date was approaching has and still is a struggle. However, as I have transitioned out of high school and into the University life I have realized that there is no need to be a goody-two-shoes.  The only satisfaction I can get as a goody-two-shoes is the completion of the work, but not the satisfaction. So a goody-two shoes is not what I want to be, rather an out-sider. An outsider looking in rather than looking from the inside out, whos is trapped in a glass box. “Go into the cornfields. Go into your writing with your whole heart. Don't set up a system—"l have to write every day"—and then numbly do it.”