Rhetorical Analysis Of Thank You For Arguing By Jay Heinrichs

Thank You for Arguing is a popular substitute textbooks for upper level English classes written by Jay Heinrichs, a journalist that has taught the art of persuasion to numerous Ivy League schools, the Pentagon, and even NASA. In attempt to restore that art of persuasion, Heinrichs submerges the modern world into the ancient realm of persuasion in the most entertaining way possible. Based on the teachings of Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson, this clever approach to teachings displays the best of rhetoric through the eyes of the twenty-first century. Despite other unique methods, Heinrichs primarily utilizes anecdotes to convey various techniques which is best displayed in Chapter 21: Lead Your Tribe.

Rather than a thick block of text written

In chapter 21: Lead your tribe, Jay Heinrichs teaches how to persuade the largest of groups with a simple image in three steps. First, define the issue in the most simple way possible. Next, identify the audience's values. Finally, the hardest part, combine the first two steps together into a meaningful symbol- a Halo. Heinrichs teaches this concept by recalling a time that he assisted the Pentagon by using the Halo Method. The issue was that many soldiers did not want to get the MILVAX vaccine because of the scar it leaves. Following the steps, Heinrichs used a commonplace to focus on what a true soldier truly values: strength and honor. Finally, he symbolizes these values with the idea that “battle scars” give meaning to something larger. These scars might be for their spouse or kids or even a pet, but either way, this symbol gives the idea that a measly little scar is a small price to pay for what they are protecting. This campaign used by Heinrichs proved to be successful in prompting U.S. soldiers to be vaccinated, therefore protecting themselves as well as the U.S from dangerous chemical warfare (243-245). Overall, the combination of the effectiveness, practicality, and the versatility of this skill is what makes it the most valuable. The persuader attaches what the audience wants to something

Information of the past is useless unless it is able to be updated, advanced, or applied to life as we know it. Imagine the world 3,000 years ago when rhetoric began to grow and evolve; what was life like back then? Consider their politics, their social standings, their religious beliefs- heck, they weren't even speaking English! Although the subject of these ancient arguments may not be applicable today, the sophisticated techniques utilized by these scholars are invaluable. Jay Heinrichs beautifully transforms these approaches to rhetoric into a way that make sense today. From examples using celebrities, political powers, humor, and intellectual banter, Heinrichs truly encompasses the real art of persuasion in a way that complies with modern times, therefore proving the books continued use without a