As far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a lawyer, and the skills I gained this semester in LA101H will be invaluable in my pursuit of this dream.
Throughout the course of the semester, I have mastered uses of rhetoric that will be vital to my success in the future. Whether I need to convey my own personal beliefs, contextually analyze an advertisement, or convince or motivate an audience I will be ready. Further than new abilities with rhetoric, my public speaking skills have improved dramatically. I still have a racing heart as I approach the podium, but nerves of steel are definitely coming my way.
More importantly, I have gained the knowledge of how to use my words effectively in situations outside of academia. Through weekly informal blog posts, I have honed the skills of writing a piece that is intended to entertain an audience of my peers, while also being effective rhetoric. This informal writing skill is one that I had not been able to use effectively before taking this class when I was stuck in the world of “LOL”s and “BRB”s. In my oral rhetoric skills, impromptu “Stand and Delivers” were conducted regularly and helped me be able to speak informally while also sounding passionate and knowledgeable. The random and instantaneous speaking allowed me to become more comfortable with speaking in front of my class, but at the same time sound like a good public speaker.
A hefty workload full of readings, essays, and speeches throughout the semester has definitely paid off. I am a more engaged citizen who is able to appreciate rhetoric in my everyday life and speak about it to any audience at any time. I know that the work that I did in LA101H will help me succeed in the future and become the lawyer I want to be.
