A Definition of a Global Citizens in Various Literary Pieces

Last Updated: 28 Feb 2023
Pages: 3 Views: 78

My former English teacher once told me, "Everything is an argument." Arguable, right? Well, if everything is an argument, then everything must be rhetoric. Rhetoric fills spaces far beyond the pages of literature, and we make its use materialized with everything we do.

The most impressive forms of rhetoric that I have seen are by those who can utilize their level of intelligence and understanding to enhance their argument. It goes beyond simply having "a way with words." For example, my favorite piece of literature is Johnathon Swift's "A Modest Proposal". His success as a satirical author comes from his profound knowledge of society, and from his ability to create an irony pertaining to a major world crisis. The benefit that Swift gains from using an irony as his form of rhetoric, and in this case, create his call to action, is that he is able to reach out to his intended audience, political and governmental leaders, in a different and unique manner than in which most would address them. Swift, however, is greatly challenged from the beginning, because reaching out to an audience that already remains indifferent to the cause is likely to receive little results. The author, though not a political expert, is able to use his wit and style to gain literary attention, and ultimately attention for the crisis in Ireland.

A variety of rhetorical appeals in terms of variations in audiences is also what creates a memorable approach. Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgy, which basically plays into Shakespeare's "All the world is a stage," claims that people are merely acting and playing certain roles around certain types of people. We dress differently, speak differently, walk, eat, and even listen differently all depending upon whom we are trying to make an impression, or persuade. Acting according to one's intended audience leaves the greatest overall impact, ergo, a greater chance of initiating change. as global citizens, for worldliness is simply the opposite of ignorance. In other words, a way with rhetoric must enhance one's worldliness, and vice versa.

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It is no surprise that the greatest and most memorable of global citizens also have an impacting rhetorical appeal. But it goes far beyond the way these people speak. I was too young to understand anything about who Condoleezza Rice was, or what she contributed to other nations, but her face left a major impression on me at such a young age: her stature, her demeanor, her overall presence simply screamed power, and that is what made me, an eight year old, simply scream respect.

I always thought that we all classified as global citizens. But as I started opening my eyes, I realized, most of us can't even fathom the world outside of our hometown. Upon my arrival at college, I was entering a new home for the first time since I was born. I walked out of my dorm the next morning, and was nearly knocked over by the mountain that stood before me. For the first time, I realized how big this place really is; my perception of myself on this planet became so minute, and I realized how much I truly had to learn.

I praise global figures of the past, and those which we've recently learned about, who are able to fathom a sense of direction in this world. A global citizen is capable of not only understanding the parameters of our nations, but has the ability to interact with and attempt to influence its citizens to make our world a little more close-knit; smaller.

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A Definition of a Global Citizens in Various Literary Pieces. (2023, Feb 23). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/a-definition-of-a-global-citizens-in-various-literary-pieces/

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