Rhetoric is awesome. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the word, rhetoric is pretty much the art of language and communication. Now I'd be the first to say that I am an English nerd, and there would probably be hundreds to affirm that...but I'm totally proud to be one.
You see, mastering the art of rhetoric is useful, very useful. The art of language is more than just knowing how to say a few words and create a sentence and it's much more than writing one too. It's all about comprehension, of yourself, and others.
I have every desire to be an English teacher one day, because I find this fascinating and I want to show people just how ambiguous words and statements can be (obviously that isn't the only reason). I can ask many people, why they think they study English and common answers are that 'we have to', or because 'we need to know the language'. Both those answers are right, but not the main reason for the study of English.
Critical thinking. It's all about being able to think, make connections and find meaning. Any one can learn to read and write, and those are important skills, but studying English for so long is to help you think critically, find meaning and formulate opinions. This is totally important in ever single way, especially in a life where we have to communicate! When it comes to work, relations, even with yourself, communication is key! And try to imagine a life without an opinion...just as a sheep following the fox into it's home...yeah.
If you can't understand what you're saying, how on earth will someone else? And if others cannot understand you, what is the point in saying anything? Communication is important. And if you don't understand that the guy selling you the car is giving you a lemon on wheels, you're probably going to end up like that poor sheep.
Now, I didn't want to just write a blog on why we learn English, what I wanted to comment on, was the merits of being good at it, the merits of rhetoric. When you have it mastered, it allows you to think deeply, calculate moves well in advance, and pick up things that others don't. I mean, people always complain about being busy, you do too, don't lie to yourself. But their always comes an instance, where you get that phone call, text, message, whatever during a non-busy moment saying 'Hey...can you help me with this/want to go do this/can you _____' and you counter with, "Aww, I'd love to...but I'm busy". You know you've done this...I've done this...everyone does this! Just ask Margaret Wente.
Another example is boredom. That's just a polite word to say "I WANT TO DO SOMETHING'. You know that when your buddy asks you 'what's up' and you tell them "I'm bored'...it's a subliminal way to say "Let's fricking do something....or do you have any ideas to get me out of this 'boredom?''
Their are just so many ways, and instances to say things. So many ways things can be perceived, and that is why rhetoric and understanding language becomes important. Plus, you look smart when you understand things! I mean...just look at me...people think I'm smart! Hah!
Being able to understand and communicate allows you to do many things, you know. It allows you to get around those awkward situations, even gives you confidence to say things. Lawyers and politicians are great at rhetoric. That's because it is their job to uncover or even twist the truth. Now you don't need to be a lawyer or politician to be good at language, but you do need to be able to think.
Thinking is what allows you to be good at anything really, although too much thinking is bad...and I'll tell you why some other time. But if you're able to think and comprehend, you're over half way through the game. I was marking tests for a class a week or so ago. People lost many marks on their tests, just because they incorrectly answered a question. They were unable to comprehend.
Those that can understand, are picking things out of books and conversations like pins in a haystack. They make these crazy connections which make them look genius like and almost as if they can see into the future. Being able to understand language, allows you to say something, and even anticipate what will happen next. For instance, after you're done reading this useless blog, you're going to say 'Wow...That was stupid/This guys insane but...kind of cool'.
Trust me, being a master of language, communication, comprehension will get you far. It opens up bags of tricks you had no idea about! Remember, an uncrossed 'T' is just an 'L/I'....unless that's what you want it to be.
Think about that...my rice is ready.
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