The Best Proposal

            I have never been a big contributor to national charities, mostly just local ones now and then when asked in person or on the phone when I felt I was unlucky enough to have answered the phone or door in an unguarded moment. That is why, when I donate year after year to this same charity, I know it is something that comes from my heart, and of course, I think this might be the best proposal argument I ever remember seeing/reading. That charity is familiar to most Americans, as they have an annual drive this time of year that matches any Christmas campaign by the Salvation Army. It is the March of Dimes and their familiar logos that accompany any correspondence always makes my heart skip a beat as it usually features a baby, tiny, sweet, innocent and full of promise.

            I know there are plenty of people who may think this charity is so big that they couldn’t possibly need my money, but I feel differently. Last year during their annual campaign, they brought a family to my office as a reminder of how the money donated helps families.  I remember a very sweet little girl, not a baby any longer that could actually function as a normal child. They let her family tell the story of how she may have not lived because she was born premature.  She is one of the reasons why I keep on giving. They not only help U.S. citizens, but they help on a global scale. The results show how effective a really good proposal argument can be.

Proposal Arguments

            The practice of writing arguments should be getting easier by now and although the terminology associated with it is a little strange, I realize that in everyday life as well as at work, most people (including myself) put into play arguments everyday. The last type of argument to be studied is the proposal argument which is, according to our text book “the most common” (Ramage 311). To argue one’s point in a conversation at work, I sometimes make my case using the practical argument, for example, we need to make the work flow easier, because it reduces stress, helps in completing a task in a shorter period of time and means less time spent doing the unimportant things and leaves more time to concentrate on the more difficult tasks. This is just a generalization, but it is an example of the type of argument that most of us use on a constant basis. It may not be related to work at all, it could be justifying to a parent or child the reason for an action you are taking or how they should go about completing their task.  

            The other type of proposal argument is the policy argument. This type of argument is clearly the more important of the two when it is used in business, politics or social issues (Ramage 311). It can help solve problems at work, or help to persuade a voter to vote for a candidate, or even sway action in a community to help better the surroundings or people. Learning to effectively write this type of proposal will definitely help to make me a better employee, voter, and member of my community. 

Works Cited

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean and June Johnson. Writing Arguments:  A Rhetoric with             Readings. New York:  Longman, 2010. Print.

Logos/Ethos/Pathos

            As I learn more about writing arguments, the rhetorical triangle becomes the focus of my attention. It is a good starting point for any paper, email or conversation. Whether I knew it or not, this triangle comes into play each and every time I write a personal email, business related correspondence or any papers for school. Although they might not be as lengthy or as detailed compared to a well written argument, any good, thought out conversation uses the triangle of logos, ethos and pathos as the building blocks of a well built house, so to speak.

            I consider logos as the foundation of the conversation, email, paper, etc. If I don’t have a good reason (foundation), then it is not possible to move on to the next building block of my house. Logos is made up of good logic and structure, and defines the issue (what kind of foundation) my house will have. After the foundation, I can begin to attach the framework for completion. Within the framework is ethos and pathos.  Again, to have one without the other is to have an incomplete house, which means it will not withstand the harsh elements of weather (attacks/rebuttals of skeptics).

            When building the frame work, ethos is to be considered as necessary as the mortar is which holds the bricks, or the nails that bind the wood to the foundation. If you don’t have ethos, how can you expect the pathos to stay in place? Ethos focuses on how credible I am as a writer and what impact this has on the recipient of my writing. If my ethical appeal does not have a good impact, then it cannot hold up the framework for my house.

          Pathos is the final piece of framework which is put into place. It engages whomever reads my correspondence emotionally, maybe imaginatively so that the appeal (looks) of my house have become pleasing to the eye, then, as attention is drawn to my well-built house, hopefully it entices my audience to want to come in and visit and to listen to what I have to say. If they like what they see (metaphorically), maybe I have persuaded them to my way of thinking, and my ideas. They might not want to stay permanently in my house, but at least they were open to the possibility. As communication goes, the well-built house has served its purpose and made a nice place for people to come visit.