Mark Edmonson’s The Heart of Humanities: Reading, Writing, Teaching is a collection of works that explore the importance of the three components for those interested in pursuing humanities as a future study field. Throughout the book, the author introduces his ideas on humanities and explains the importance of reading, writing, and teaching. The target audience, which represents humanities students, teachers, and those considering the profession, is engaged with the help of real-life cases and examples from literature, which pertains to the logos rhetorical strategy.
The author connects to the target audience’s beliefs by giving advice and reasoning for the suggestions. For example, according to Edmonson, one “can read your way out of your own life. But your chances of coming into a new one increase vastly if you are willing to learn how to write” (7). In this part, the author also uses logos to encourage his audience to continue learning and developing as not only readers but also writers. The strategy of logos is essential because it appeals to the intellectual abilities of readers. By appealing to reason in his writing, Edmonson is more effective in creating a connection with the audience that is based on common knowledge and values, which facilitates persuasion.
Pathos is another component of the author’s rhetoric that is used in the book to persuade his readers. Appealing to emotion brings the author closer to the audience, creating a connection that is based on trust and mutual interest. This is illustrated in the following example: “most professors of the humanities have little interest in religion as a field of life options. […] Beyond skills and knowledge, it is imperative to develop also a sense of individuality and understanding of who students are as people. Because of this, religion can be “the right place to start a humanities course” (Edmonson 34; 32). The appeal to the emotions that readers may associate with faith and the belief in the greater good is a rhetorical strategy that would invoke a psychological response.
Ethos, which is a rhetorical strategy characterized by convincing the audience with the help of a credible persuader, is also widely used in Edmonson’s work. The author encourages reading as a learning tool by using the example of Malcolm X, who was “easily bested” during debates (3). To deal with his weakness, he “ordered books from the prison library, loaded his cell, and set to work reading […] the great philosophers, the economists, the analysts of society” (3). As a result of dedicated reading and reflection, Malcolm X managed to train his mind as a muscle, making his speech more powerful and graceful. The audience can learn from this example because it shows that dedication to work, which is an essential component of Edmonson’s rhetoric, can pay off and lead to success in the long run.
In his writing, Edmonson is clear about his intentions and does not make claims of knowing what is best and how his readers should act. By admitting that there is no right way but rather a different way for each person, the author creates a narrative that is persuasive through a positive outlook on the humanities. Instead of a stiff and fact-loaded text that is challenged in its persuasion, Edmonson aims to foster an understanding relationship with his readers, such that it will facilitate self-exploration personal growth.
Work Cited
Edmonson, Mark. The Heart of Humanities: Reading, Writing, Teaching. Bloomsbury, 2018.