Thursday, September 8, 2016

Journal #1 - Jack Quinn


There are countless ways in which human beings express themselves. Every day individuals are discovering new and old methods of sharing their thoughts and ideas with the world around them. These methods preserve history and glorify creativity. They facilitate education and help our societies to develop.

Writing is arguably the most prevalent of these methods of expression. Defined simply as: “The way that one uses written words to express their own ideas or opinions” by Merriam Webster, the concept of writing is quite simple. It is instead the effects one’s writing can have that can become quite complicated.

Writing can bring about change. It can inspire groups of people to push themselves to their limits or to chase their dreams. Writing can educate. It can document the findings of scientists and philosophers from many years ago and allow those in the present day to build upon their discoveries. Writing can entertain. Writing can help us learn from our mistakes.

Key Terms:

Communication: The imparting or exchanging of information. The concept that in the modern world ties together countless cultures, peoples, and ways of life.

History: An ever-growing account of the past. The experiences of others that came before us, recorded and preserved in the hopes of allowing future societies to learn from the mistakes of others.

Expression: The procedure of making one’s ideas or emotions known to the world. Self-expression comes in endless forms. From music to art and from film to dance, humans have sought to express themselves for as long as they have existed as a species.

Persuasion: The process of convincing others to alter their viewpoint on an issue. Persuasion is so integral to our culture that entire schools of thought have been built around it. Philosophers in ancient Greece and Rome spent lifetimes attempting to understand and utilize persuasion in the most effective way possible. In the present day it’s importance has only grown. Lawyers fight in court rooms to sway a jury to their cause. Politicians create convincing platforms in the hopes of being elected. Protestors search for new ways to make their voice heard to recruit members to their cause.

Rhetoric: The art of effective speech, both oral or written. The style or method an individual uses when expressing any given thought or idea.


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