Rhetoric can be described as a way of communicating information by using hypothetical scenarios or examples that your audience is likely familiar with. This approach to communication not only aims to persuade but also seeks to influence others to consider different viewpoints or to effectively convey your message. For instance, consider Kevin Hart's stand-up comedy performances where he employs humor and body language to not only make his point but also make the story he's telling more memorable.
From the readings, several ideas stood out as particularly relevant to my own writing. These include the use of the three appeals of rhetoric, namely ethos, pathos, and logos, as well as the importance of understanding your audience and context when employing rhetoric. These concepts are crucial for effectively persuading or influencing others since tailoring your message to your audience and context can enhance the impact of your communication.
The author of "How Academia & Its Jargons Gatekeep Knowledge" uses ethos and logos to show how biased curriculum and language barriers can affect the learning environment for students. Using jargon in classes is biased because not everyone in the class has the same level of knowledge as expected. Many students come from a variety of backgrounds, and using jargon can prevent them from being able to learn the material. Instead of using jargon, teachers or other academic leaders can break down the material into more accessible terms so that the coursework and material are understandable for the class they are teaching.
The author of "Who Gets to Tell What Stories?" uses pathos and relationships to help develop her story writing. The author believes that stories are powerful and that they shape the way we see the world. She often tells stories about her friends and relationships, but she doesn't make it obvious in the fictional stories that she writes. She expresses that everyone's story should be heard because everyone comes from a different background.
In my writing, I want to make it more accessible so that everyone can understand and relate to my work.
I would define accessibility for an audience as a way to make users understand your content without too much thinking when they're interacting with media. When people view digital media they spend a few seconds analyzing the material before they continue scrolling or reading more about your content.