Blog Posting #4

I think understanding rhetoric affects every part of a persons life. It not only helps you understand yourself and why you do and say certain things, but it also helps you better decipher what others are trying to communicate to you. Before I was familiar with rhetoric communication, both emotionally and logically, was very one dimensional. I didn’t think much about the meaning behind what I say or more importantly what others were saying to me. I think rhetoric is more accepted within “formal” relationships, for example between you and a co-worker, or a boss, or a professor. You understand that going to work and school means people are using their language to teach and persuade you of something. What it has really changed for me is the communication between people I feel very comfortable with, like friends, family and/or a spouse. Its with these people that I thought I said what I really meant to say without any type of persuasion involved. It has really made me question what I am trying to get from certain relationships by the way I use language. Its important to understand rhetoric in order to successfully communicate with anyone, regardless of the relationship or situation.