Assignment #1

Hey everyone! My name is Sarah and I am a sophomore Professional Writing Major with a minor in Literature. Ever since the age of seven (and the age at which I could finally convince my mom to order me a subscription to Vogue) have I completely embedded myself in reading, watching and studying fashion. Broadening my magazine subscription to include W, Lucky and British Vogue, it seems only natural that once finished with college I hope to take over Irini Arakas' job as Fashion Writer for Vogue. Growing up surrounded by vast farmland in the "complete rural" part of Allentown, I am craving the chance to move to New York and begin a new chapter in my life.

Ramage's "Introduction: The Way of Rhetoric" was extremely exciting and hard to put down. He writes with such vigor, such wit and can surface ideas and arguments that are blatantly honest and thought-provoking. The concluding argument he brings up, comparing rhetoric to slow-food is simply brilliant. Every thought expressed is true. He states that slow-food restaurants are continually changing due to the foods in season and new selections are created in favor of broadening and playing to an individual's changing self. Rhetoric is exactly the same. People who use rhetoric are open and willing to change, to question motives and old traditions, to bring a new light with new ideas to the stagnant sameness and allow their ideas and themselves to be seen as bold, different and passionate individuals who are willing to change and put forth a different stance or view.
I also like the quote from Kenneth Burke stating "cicumstances alter cases." This idea is evident in almost every facet of the human journey. What may occur in one situation at one time in a particular place, can and is entirely different in another setting, time and place. Cases are changed, looked at differently and interpreted in varying degrees by different individuals based upon the circumstances leading up to, during and after. Thus, Ramage's discussion on this matter is beautifully crafted.
I enjoyed reading this chapter, I love his style of writing, his presentation of examples and metaphors is incredible and helps to strengthen the argument and for me at least, it helped me understand and place his words and examples into a clear picture. I then compared my views and feelings with his, and it turns out that almost all of them are the same.