Composition incorporates many definitions. Defining composition presents a challenge for many. On our first day of class in ENGL3360 we were told to write down our definition of composition. My first definition was that composition is a well written piece of writing over any subject that is grammatically correct. My ideas of composition were essays, reports, letters, and etc. However, after this class I have developed a new definition. After hearing the topics discussed in this class, it is evident, to me, that words have a power to shape people from what they are into something better. Personally, I believe composition is a written work that uses the power of words to shape and better humanity.
My first epiphany of the importance of composition occurred when our class discussed the idea of cannibalism. “If we do descend from apes, and they were cannibalistic, then what has kept human kind from inheriting the cannibalistic gene?” (Garrison Lecture). An obvious answer is language. Humans have the ability to communicate through composition, and therefore, share ideas of morality. If one person writes about cannibalism being morally wrong, then they have the power to spread that idea and shape other people’s thoughts. The next class discussion involved language. The class was presented with the question of what makes us human. The answer is language (Garrison Lecture). As stated before, language gives us the power to shape each other into better people. Language gives us the power to persuade each other to follow certain norms. Composition incorporates this idea of language’s power. Many write because they want to persuade someone about something. Therefore, our composition has a rhetorical purpose.
The next idea the class presented was that “all language and composition is rhetorical” (Garrison Lecture). This furthered my thoughts on exactly what composition is. If we are constantly trying to persuade something in our writing then our composition has more meaning than pure entertainment. If I write an article about gladiator sandals being in style then I am trying to persuade the world that it is important to follow fashion. Though, it may seem like a simple article about fashion, truly I am trying to persuade others to wear gladiator sandals. Composition involves many different aspects that make it rhetorical. Composition involves logos (appeals to logic), ethos (appeals to character), and pathos (appeals to emotions). In composition, many authors use these tools to persuade others of their opinions (Garrison Lecture). People state a thesis, back it up with data, and present warrants to people (Toulmin Argument). In all composition, these aspects can be found. Therefore, if composition involves these aspects, then it is rhetorical, and its purpose is to persuade.
Technology has lead to composition easily being spread to people. Why do we have blogs? Why do we have websites, such as Myspace and Facebook? The answer is because we want people to see our beliefs and thoughts. People want their ideas to be heard. “Internet makes composition cheap and easy to transport and store” (Garrison Lecture). Thanks to the internet our ideas are heard by a much larger audience. This further proves the idea that composition is a powerful device used to better humanity. If we did not care about spreading information to many people, then we would most likely not have the internet. Yet, because we care to compose our ideas, and because we care to share them with as many people as possible, we have technology like the internet.
All composition is rhetorical. Composition’s purpose is to spread one’s thoughts to another, and to permanently publish those thoughts to exist longer than we do. Composition incorporates the power of language. People use their words to shape humanity. Composition is more than just a grammatically correct written work. Composition is a rhetorical tool used to better humanity. This definition of composition is important for future composition courses because it shows students the power of their own writing. If students feel empowered by writing their thoughts, then composition will not be such a scary course to take. Students will be able to enjoy composition because they know there is a purpose behind it. Composition is so powerful it can change the world. Unfortunately, that change could be for better or worse.
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