Well, Watson...

I would like to share what I have been recently reading. "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"! Now don’t laugh, these stories are actually very good and not difficult to understand. “Sherlock” is considered classic and I know many are weary of the classics, but please, give Mr. Holmes a chance! Start of with his numerous short stories and then go with a novel. I assure you, these stories are great!



Definitely check out "The Scandal in Bohemia"!!!

Origins

http://www.ngw.nl/int/gbr/scot/scotland.htm

Where we come from has always been a question we ask ourselves and our families. I find it a very interesting subject and have been asking questions to my elders the stories of their lives and the lives of their parents, grandparents and other family members.

Last night my grandma called me and told me she found out we have Scottish origins. A family member has done extensive research and traced the Smith side (my Grandma’s maiden name) to the Scottish family, Steadman (Stedman). I was very excited to hear this! I have always wondered if we have a connection with our ancestors, such as, am I like a great grandmother back in Scotland? Is this part of the reason I am the way I am? I also know a great, great grandmother (I believe on my Grandpa’s side) was from Wales or England. Is this part of the reason why ever since I can remember I have had a fascination with England?

My fiancé's Granddad, (his mother’s side), who name is Montoya, has traced their origins back to when they first sailed over from Spain to Mexico I believe in the 14th Century. His great grandmother (on his dad’s side) also wrote a book about her life and her family; it is so interesting to read! I’m so happy we got a copy!

This is such a fascinating topic! I can’t wait to learn more!

Aristotle's Branches of Public Speaking

Image: Aristotle and Plato

I didn’t know the complexities of rhetoric and the past few months I have learned so much! For this blog I want to focus on the three traditional branches of speeches as stated by Aristotle in his Rhetoric.


Forensic speech is typical of the courtroom and examines past actions.
Deliberative speech is that of governing bodies (political) and considers future actions.
Epideictic speech or ceremonial, attempts to establish the moral qualities of someone or something at present (Bizzell 172). Topoi or topics/places are then dispersed within each branch to create an argument.


We can hear forensic speech in movies or tv shows dealing with the courtroom. An obvious example would be Law & Order. Another example would be the movie,
A Few Good Men, if you haven’t seen it, check it out! There are many famous cases we can read the transcripts of trials, like the trial of Joan of Arc.


Deliberative speech has been used recently. For those of you who watched President Obama’s inauguration address, this is an example of deliberative speech. We heard him pushing us to future actions in regards to our failing economy. Many speeches given by past presidents have been made famous. President Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, President Roosevelt’s address after Pearl Harbor, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” and JFK’s “Ask not what your country can do for you…”


Epideictic speech can be either praise or blame. One of the most famous speeches is Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream.” This speech is a great example off strengthening shared belief of equal rights. The strengthening of beliefs is anther characteristic of this type of speech. We hear this one often and we probably didn’t even realize it! A speech at a funeral or wedding is considered epideictic.


These types of public speech are not only for oral speech but also include all types of discourse, form letters to conversation that is persuasive in intent (Bizzell 3).


Next time you hear someone speaking whether it be on TV/movies, in a classroom, or even the Academy Awards (Dustin Black’s acceptance speech), see if you can recognize the branches of speech being used!
*Many of these branches can be seen within each other.

I have included hyperlinks of the speeches mentioned.

Source: Bizzell and Herzberg. "The Rhetorical Tradition." Bedford/St. Martin. Second Edition, 2001.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Think back to your first experiences with books…What did your parents or guardian read to you before bed time? Do you remember when you began reading? Did you start in the 1^st Grade? Before that (or after)? I bet at some point you heard the famous words of “I do not like them Sam I Am, I do not like green eggs and ham.” Or the first time you saw the image of that iconic cat with the tall striped hat? And every year around Christmas time we watch that grouchy green Grinch learn the true meaning of the holiday of giving and sharing.

Yes, Dr. Seuss has been apart of so many children’s lives. His books are not only full of colorful images with funny words, but messages to children of acceptance of others. His works also introduce poetry to children at a young age. I have known many teachers to use Dr. Seuss in their high school classes to show students they have been reading poetry all their lives!

Today, March 2, 2009 is Dr. Seuss’s 105 birthday anniversary! So, take some time and reminisce your first experiences with reading, was Dr. Seuss there? And if you haven’t read his books, DO!!! They are not expensive, and disregard your age! Dr. Seuss is for everyone!

Also, check out his biography and see the history behind his words!!