As many men and women typically argue that the Marines just issue guns and send you straight to war in the most direct manor to be a bullet catcher, I must argue back and explain that we are more than just your average gun club. Many people often are misleading on what the Marines really have in their arsenal when it comes to benefits, jobs, and opportunities. As approximately 7 out of 10 people normally explain to me that they would much rather join another branch so they can take full advantage of educational benefits, I quickly bounce back with the fact that the Marines can offer those benefits as well. Though many are still very skeptical on this subject, I describe the route I have taken over the past 3 years to work on obtaining my bachelor degree and explain how the Marines have helped paved my way as well as my wife’s way to one of the most well known universities in the United States. As I focus on making the conversation as personal as possible, I find myself explaining to my audience the jobs I have been a big part of as well as the many opportunities I have been able to take hold of while using them for my success. Though I had no idea of what pathos were all about, I quickly realized that on a daily basis I bring many of my conversations to a personal level to gain the interest and emotional ties of my audience in hopes of showing them the many ways they could benefit from this career opportunity.
Last but not least, logos are also a big part in my conversation being that as I utilize this concept I continually use logical reasoning in explaining why our boot camp and training courses are known for being as tough as they are. Though there are many aspects of being a Marine that are tough, the one issue that often arises from parents is why we put their sons and daughters through intense training cycles. As I usually take a few moments to catch my train of thought, I know exactly what I’m going to say but like to let the parents realize what they are really asking before I answer them. As I often find myself with this question, I always find myself asking the parents in return how bad they want their son or daughter to return home. After hearing their response I work into my answer in that we too want our Marines to come home in one piece. This is why we make them sweat in peace (boot camp and training) so they don’t bleed in war if they were to find themselves overseas in a hostile zone. As I found myself learning more about the rhetorical triangle, I have gained a better understanding of how to “enhance my credibility and trustworthiness,” in which this makes up what’s known as ethos (Ramage, Bean & Johnson, 62-63). I have also learned if one effectively uses logos, they can build their argument to gain the audiences attention easier than others who ineffectively support their claim with improper evidence (Ramage, Bean & Johnson, 63). As both ethos and logos make an effective argument, you can not count pathos out being that this is how you can grasp your audience’s attention by making the argument more personal and emotionally appealing (Ramage, Bean & Johnson, 62-63).
Work Cited
Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. "Chapter 3." Writing arguments: a rhetoric with
readings . 8th ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2008. 62-63. Print.
I really liked your comparison of the rhetorical triangle and your performance and a Marine Corps recruiter. I thought it made perfect sense in that you have to really be able to use logos, ethos and pathos. You have to really be able to not only sell the Marines, but you have to really sell yourself as well. You have to sell it to the recruit, but in many cases, their parents as well. I think your blog is a great example of how ethos plays a role in your life. You say that pathos is the "meat and potatoes" of your argument and you make a great point. In general, we have to know who we're arguing to, especially in your gig. If you don't realize who you are dealing with, you will lose that potentially great recruit. This could be someone who would really flourish under the guidance of the Marines. Knowing who you are dealing with can only help you frame your selling points even more, and make a deeper impact on your audience. Same thing goes for the parents. I think in terms of a message, you’re sending a good one: help the Marines and the Marines can help you. That is, join the Marines and serve your country, learn job skills and get money for college. A lot of people will buy that, it just has to be wrapped differently sometimes. When I started reading about the Rhetorical Triangle I basically had the same experience you did. I found it much easier to visualize it when I applied a real world situation to it. So, I'm right there with you. Good post.
ReplyDeleteI found this post extremely interesting. You wrote that the pathos is your most utilized piece of the rhetorical triangle as a Marine recruiter. I think it is very interesting, as in my blog post I decided that I considered the logos the most important part of an argument. I think it is kind of neat how these parts of the triangle mesh and meld together. As you are presenting the reasons why a recruit should join the Marines, you say you focus on making the recruit’s visit as personal as possible. This is interesting, as I (with no military experience, I must admit) would think that logos would be important—explaining the basic reasons why a recruit should join up – job benefits, school benefits, career opportunities, etc. Yet after reading your post, I see that this would be insanely dry and boring, and that you are more in tune with the realities of recruiting than I am (of course). It really is an incredibly important and personal decision to join the military, and mere dry facts would not suffice in themselves to make such a decision. It is neat to have my perception of the rhetorical triangle shifted. This was a very interesting read – thanks!
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