One thing that comes up repeatedly is how important it is to have all critical components of rhetoric present when writing. The parts of writing do not work when they stand alone. Ethos seems to be the best way to begin a writing because it can gain the attention of the audience by reaching out to their emotions and drawing them in. There is a lot of things that ethos accomplishes, however, ethos can be too overpowering and hinder the success of the writing. I think a definition of rhetoric that I am beginning to see is that rhetoric is not only the art of persuasion but also the art of balance. A successful piece of writing will depend on the balance that is struck up between the different parts of rhetoric that we have been discovering throughout the classical period and now in the medieval period. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos are the three arguments primarily used in writings. But too much of one can make the writing ineffectual and not only that but each audience will be more receptive to different tactics. That is also something that has been picked up along the way throughout the readings.

The use of language is also important for the success of the argument being made. The use of positive and negative words is an important tactic that sets up the argument by setting in the feelings the author has to the subject that is being presented. The example of the woman writing about Sarah Palin and President Reagan was very interesting to examine and her choice of words created the tone that made her emotions so strong that they affect the reader. Diction is an important part of creating an argument because strong word choices, that have strong emotions attached to them, create an image in the mind and when used correctly affects the reader’s emotions on a certain subject. Playing on the readers emotions continues to be a critical part of an argument.

With the readings all piling onto each other, and each author continuing the argument made by an author before, makes the definition of rhetoric more complicated and thorough. While some things are reinforced, new things are added in and I think that is what is beginning to reveal how an arguments success is dependent upon the balance of the components within the writing. Part of rhetoric is persuading through the balance of the argument.