Perfecting Public Discourse Portfolio

            Simple lack of considerate dialogue and deliberation is at the root of many of today’s foremost issues. The very way people think about arguments divides them from one another. Meaningful progress requires compromise and understanding in argument. Instead, we take a warlike approach to argument with a winner and a loser, and no willingness to give validity to the other’s point of view. For as long as I’ve been old enough to pay attention, the news has been filled with such conflict, bias, and opinion. Every story seems to be polarizing, with each side neglecting the others thoughts and feelings towards an issue. Daily protests and riots occur to fight back against anything people disagree with. While protests are a healthy part of every democracy and society, too often participants never even give consideration to why others might feel differently about the issue at hand. Through better deliberation and argument, w...

The purpose for many articles written today is a call for action in regards to an important and pressing issue that is otherwise not receiving enough attention. There is a fine line authors have to be considerate of when writing these kinds of pieces because they can often be dismissed as a plea for charity or contribution towards special interests. There is only one truly effective approach to this type of writing. Present the issue itself at the forefront of the piece and work to move the reader with the consequences of the issue alone. While presenting the issue and drawing in the reader, shine light on what is currently being done to help, and the people, groups, or organizations involved. With this information, if the reader was effectively influenced by the article, they will know what steps they can take to help without being asked. This is precisely the approach taken by Time Magazine ’s Bryan Walch with his piece "The Plight of the Honeybee" and Nature C...

The Narrator’s Impact On Effective Persuasion             Much of the documentary Before the Flood ’s success is contingent on Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as narrator and viewpoint character. Director Fisher Stevens and many film critics alike believed this meant establishing DiCaprio’s credibility as a true environmentalist and voice in the community would be vital to the film. Consequently, through the first ten or so minutes of the film following Leo’s opening monologue describing a piece of artwork his parents hung in his room as a little boy, Before the Flood takes several different approaches in establishing this level of credibility for Leo. He is seen meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban KI-Moon and speaking to world leaders as the newly appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace. Ki-Moon describes Leo as a “very coveted and effective environmentalist”, and thusly “counts on his leadership and vision”...