Rhetorical Analysis

My experience thus far in this rhetorical analysis has been particular. It has reminded me a lot of high school English class and how hard writing is for me. I am a terrible writer of things like this and so I feel apprehensive and tense. I dread most writing assignments, this one included. I am a little bit excited to read the speech that I have chosen because it seems interesting. From what I have read so far (so, the title) it will talk about the conscience, which is an interesting topic, in regards to the nation. Hopefully, this will be an interesting speech so that I can feel more engaged in writing it, and that I can do a better job, just like Sister Steadman said.

My Readings Thus Far

The different reading that we have done thus far have been great! I read the proclamation given by the First Presidency of the Church. One reading that I have thoroughly enjoyed has been the textbook called Mindful Writing. All the things that I've read for this class have been very different and yet interesting. 

One of my favorite things to read has been the book Mindful Writing. The tone he uses in that book is perfect. It is directed towards students of my age. The book is very unlike any other text book I have ever read. He uses jokes, he quotes Lord of the Rings, he tells stories to which we can all relate. He had a very good understanding of who his audience was and how to make the reading more enjoyable. 

The Proclamation to the family done by the First Presidency was wonderful as well. There was a great demonstration of all ethos, logos, and pathos. For me personally, they are very credible so that adds a ton to what they are saying. However, if some other random dude off the street was saying the same thing, I would probably agree. Not because his ethos is high, but because the words which were written are the words of the Lord who has perfect ethos. 

Those words really touch me to the core and make me want to follow them. That shows me that pathos is used a lot. I am sure that the Brethren were inspired to write this, that's a given, and knowing that it comes from God and knowing that He knows me, relates to my pathetic side.

Other than the great use of ethos and pathos, there is a great use of logos because all they say is true.

Floods As They Really Are

Elder David A. Bednar gives two talks that talk about how grand the technological world is but in two different lights. From these two talks one must keep in mind the importance of using the God-given technological advances in helping others find God personally and in creating or strengthening their own relationship with God. On the other hand, one must be aware of the dangers that exist in using such advances if misused.

The talk given entitled “To Sweep the Earth as With a Flood” talks about how great and marvelous the God-given technological advances of social media are. There is so much good that can be done using these social medias. We can post, tweet, or upload instantly any image, song, or quote that we desire. Thanks to the advanced stage of technology we can reach people around the world in seconds. For those reasons, this advancement is wonderful.

Taking those same points, however, and applying them to how much bad one can do with social media is incredibly devastating. There is so much bad that can be done, even instantly. The talk given entitled “Things as They Really Are” talks about these dangers. Using this correctly or not depends on our desires. What do we desire? Elder David A. Bednar teaches us in that talk that we must have fidelity. If we are faithful to God and His teachings, then we will use these gifts correctly, because that is our desire. If we aren’t aware of these dangers and they slowly creep into our lives, we can be ruined by the adversary and his destructive force.  

Both talks talk about how grand the technological world is and the capabilities there are. The first one supports the use in so many good ways and the second one warns against the dangers if used incorrectly. Both are very informational and help us in so many ways.