Rhetorical Citizenship Final Copy

7/31/2019 Rhetorical Citizenship Final Copy

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Elayane Merriwether

ENC331

May 28, 2012

Words: 1,381

Rhetorical Citizenship More Than Just A Piece Of Paper

Rhetoric has played a prominent role in Western tradition as a subject of great study, practice

and discussion. It is an art and not of the usual kind but one of discourse and persuasion. Aristotle

defined rhetoric as comprised of two beings one of logic and one of politics that facilitates the means of

persuasion. Aristotle further compartmentalized the art of persuasion into three persuasive appeals

most commonly known as logos, pathos and ethos. It is these three aspects of persuasion that led to the

successfulness and growth of rhetoric. Ethos normally takes place in a speaking setting where the

speaker is seeing how well they can influence an audience to believe what they are saying. Pathos uses

the emotional appeal to affect the audiences judgment and logos is the use of reasoning to either

induct or deduct in a way to construct an argument. These three styles of appeals can be seen through

public speaking and speaking analysis. It is through these three appeals that rhetoric is given life.

Rhetoric plays a crucial role in citizenship as well. In order to understand the role rhetoric plays

in citizenship one must first understand citizenship and everything it encompasses. Citizenship at its

most basic is defined legally as membership in a particular Nation-state. Strict legalists may be puzzled

by debates over definitions of citizenship or even discussions of citizenship in educated environments

because they view citizenship as a legal category, with conferral of status occurring in the legal realm

and certainly outside of the classroom or other social institutions. (WAN) To think of citizenship as a


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term that can only be applied to ones legal status is a jaded way of thinking which is why scholars such

as T.H. Marshall decided to expand on what citizenship really is. When one stops looking at citizenship

as merely a term for ones legal status you can see that citizenship is what defines us, shapes us and

makes us into the people we are. Citizenship is what motivates us to care about our country and the

people in it. It is our identity and self-worth. Its the sense of belonging and purpose to something

greater. That everyone is connected through citizenship. Even though people might have different,

goals, thoughts or opinions, there is still an underlying truth that connects us all.

Citizenship is the action that causes us to do. Whether it is a positive or negative light because

of citizenship we feel something about the people we interact with in our daily life whether it is positive

or negative. Because of citizenship we do care what is happening in society. Because of citizenship we

do care about our wealth being as a country. It is the feeling of citizenship that causes us to act, feel and

live. It is with this sense of purpose and love that inherently affects our day to day actions even if its

subconsciously. I think these are qualities that make a citizen. It is more than just being born somewhere

or taking a test on a country it is about what one actually does for a country! Are they giving back? Are

they trying to make their country better? I think it is important for citizens to selflessly give of

themselves to better not only their country but themselves. In order for us to grow as a society and

people we must constantly strive to better ourselves and the people around us. This is where rhetoric

comes into play. Not everyone is going to agree on the way society runs. Whether it be on a small scale

such as in a community or in a classroom to agreeing on politics.

When first asked to pick two major educational sponsors of rhetorical citizenship in my life I

must admit I was stumped. It took some self-searching and some self-actualization to realize the two

people who have impacted my life. I started to ponder on the person I am today. What defining moment

in my life made me who I am? Or what choices had I made that led me to hold my various beliefs and


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views on the world? Who was the person of sponsorship of rhetorical citizenship in my life and what

aspect does that even entail. I have always been a person who puts other first and who cares about

others well-being and up until this past week I never truly knew why. Then it clicked, it was my Youth

Director in Middle School and High School Elizabeth Whitney. Elizabeth Whitney was the Youth Director

at the First Methodist Church of Oviedo that came into my life at a time I needed it the most. The church

had previously gone through three youth directors and couldnt seem to find a Youth D irector who was

available to stay for a stagnant period of time. When our third Youth Director left Elizabeth who was the

assistant at the time stepped up to the plate and took on our youth program wholeheartedly. Elizabeth

went the extra mile and Im not sure I was ever able to truly appreciate everything she did for me. She

would constantly taking me and my friends out to lunch, picking us up from school on Wednesdays for

church and challenging us in our faith. She was the first church figure in our life that was our friend first

and was completely open with us in all aspects of her life.

Through my four years of High School I attended mission trips in Costa Rica every summer.

Elizabeth stressed the importance of civic engagement and how it not only benefited the people we

were helping but how it would benefit us as people. Elizabeth exemplifies a positive sponsor of civic

education. Through her relentless love, devotion and passion she inspired me to do more. She showed

me how to be a citizen in all aspects of my life. I know it is because of Elizabeth that I still in engage in a

myriad of civic activities for eleemosynary institutions. Whether it be running a 5K for the fight against

breast cancer or feeding the homeless at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. I have always wanted to give

and have found a great importance in reaching out in the community. I believe this is why it effects my

definition of citizenship. It is through my personal experience and the influence of Elizabeth as an

educational sponsor of rhetorical citizenship that leads me to believe that in order to be a citizen one

must engage in civic engagement.


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Rhetorical Citizenship Final Copy