While reading the last few chapters of Thank You For Arguing, I realized something interesting. This came to me while I was thinking of my own use of rhetoric in everyday life. I realized that I was developing a more sanguine view on my knowledge of rhetoric. I was starting to understand the arduous terms involved in rhetoric. Decorum, patheticness, seduction, emulation: they were all coming together. However, I still oftentimes find myself after certain situations that I had not used all the possible rhetorical skills I could have used. How the heck am I supposed to remember all this? Henrichs, however seems to think this is all a walk in the park. As stated by him  in regards to a certain rhetorical technique: You can apply the same method yourself. Simply claim you used to hold your opponent’s position." (Henrichs). But is it really that easy?

I mean, I'm not saying that it is impossible. Let alone the possibility of me implying that these skills are useless. No, not at all. I am just having a hard time remembering to make my friend sympathize with me before trying to convince me to lend me a pencil. Possibly I just need to be exposed to these techniques longer, pound them into my brain. Try to use at least one once a day. I don't know.

Maybe I’ll try some of these and see how it goes. And while it may sound like I am leading towards some type of epiphany here, this would not be the case as surprising as it may sound. Most of the time for students, this type of essay results in some kind of culmination of their problem. To show how they have mastered the topic. But nope, not me. In this essay, I am not showing a solution. I am realizing a problem. However, on this account hopefully the statement that accepting there is a problem leads to its resolution comes true. And while it still sucks that I can’t make my real life audience bend to my will (yet), hopefully one day I will reach that point.