Before taking Rhetorical Traditions I, my knowledge of rhetoric was simply that it was a style of argumentative writing based on the three appeals: ethos, logos, and pathos. After having taken the first test and writing the first paper in Rhetorical Traditions I, I have realized that rhetoric is more of a strategy or study of persuasion that can be applied not just in writing, but in speech, social media, art, and countless other areas of communication and language.

Studying for the first test, I learned about the origins of western rhetoric in Ancient Greece, specifically Athens. I learned how the changing political climates fostered an environment that would allow rhetoric to develop and flourish. We specifically focused on famous sophists and rhetoricians who taught rhetoric. We analyzed the views of these men, such as how Plato was against the use of rhetoric and how Aristotle sought to perfect rhetoric.

After researching and writing the first paper, I was able to focus on how a particular rhetorician, Isocrates, contributed to the development of rhetoric in Ancient Athens. I was able to research Isocrates’ criticisms and praises of rhetoric and how he sought to teach a certain use of rhetoric.

Having earned an A on the first test, I would attribute my success in the class to the environment of the class. The class isn’t a strict lecture with specific material that needs to taught, rather there are key ideas and concepts that we address and discuss. The class discussions and arguments allows for the exchange of ideas and for me specifically, allowed me to look at the concepts being discussed from completely different views.