In Neil Postman's "Defending Against the Indefensible", he suggests that our society has been culturally brainwashed. Therefore, Postman has given us seven key elements of critical thinking to help us understand the English language and avoid the manipulation of language: definition, questions, simplicity of words, metaphors, reification, style and tone, and the non-neutrality of media. Postman's first principle is that a definition is only a means of helping us achieve our goals. Definitions do not have the power to stop us from achieving our purposes. Definitions will always have a bias. It is our job to spot that bias and question who wrote the definition, why, and for what purpose. The word "organic" is seen quiet frequently …show more content…
What was considered "right" to Hitler was very contrary to what was right to Churchill during World War Two. Students who can understand the meanings of these small words will be able to understand how the media, politicians, and preachers may try to mislead or cover up. Fourth, students must realize how much metaphors are used in the english language. Not only are metaphors used so commonly, they also greatly influence the way we think about things. All subjects are based on metaphors. Education is currently seen as a business with the students as the clients. Language is a tree with deep roots. Metaphors are a cornerstone to how we grasp concepts and understand the knowledge we have. We really only know things in relation to other things, often by a metaphor Postman's fifth concept is reification. This is the confusing of words with things. It is with reification, that we can manipulate words to help us conceal ideas. Words like ethnic cleansing or final solution make a concept sound like it is a good thing, yet it really involves the massacre of millions of people. Reification displays to us that a person's word choice is profoundly influential to how we perceive a concept. Style and tone is the sixth concept used by Postman. All subjects of knowledge are like genres. They share certain qualities that are distinctive to the subject matter. A man of science could not write about history
Metaphors help readers visualize and develop a greater understanding of the text, which in this case, is neuroscience. In conclusion, Elizabeth Kolbert's use of metaphorical expressions stimulates imagery and connections, which in turn, appears to strengthen the thesis of her essay to the
Lakoff and Johnson state, “[w]e have found, on the contrary, that metaphor is pervasive in everyday life, not just in language but in thought and action” (3). They are saying that metaphors are used all the time and not just when people talk, but when they think and in what they do. This is exactly true because after learning about metaphors, and getting a better understanding of them, I have realized how much I, and others, apply them to everyday life without even realizing it, or trying to. Using a metaphor to describe Haas and Flower’s reading concepts will therefore make for a better grasp of what the concepts mean.
Style is choosing how to express your ideas. Contributes to the writer’s content, message, or emotional appeal.
In the text, ‘Learning to Think Things Through’ written by Gerald M. Nosich, he emphasizes the importance of the comprehension of specific concepts that are necessary to achieve critical thinking. One of these concepts includes the seven standards, which he states are clearness, accuracy, relevance, sufficiency, depth, breadth, and precision. In the text he states “Two primary ingredients turn thinking into critical thinking. The first is that critical thinking is reflective thinking… the second is thinking that meet high standards of thinking” (Nosich, 133). Maddow aides the viewers in comprehension of the material by appropriately interpreting the purpose of the information and explaining the implications and consequences resulting from the issues.
Formative and summative assessments over the past two years indicate that metaphor was routinely the figurative language technique that student most struggled to grasp conceptually when it was presented to them in the traditional sixth-grade poetry cannon, but introducing The Crossover at the end of last year caused a significant shift in this area. Alexander introduces students to the concept of metaphor through conversation between father and son. “The court is my kitchen,” Josh’s dad tells him when Josh tries to dissuade his father from taking a coaching job due to his dad’s declining health, “Son, I miss being the top chef (Alexander, 166, 167).” Here, Alexander not only illustrates the correct use of metaphor, but also highlights the power of continuing figurative language to a logical end point. The original metaphor simply compares the court to a kitchen in the eyes of the father, but the continuation with the father comparing himself to the top chef in the kitchen both crystallizes the metaphor as a kitchen in a restaurant rather than a house. This also completes the meaning of the metaphor by demonstrating the father’s desire to once again be the best. Here again, the metaphors used by Alexander are relatable and powerful, which allowed students to gain a firmer grasp of the
Metaphors are the colors and life in literature. They help enhance the audiences’ experience, painting pictures in everyone’s minds, and giving everyone a better understanding of the writing. But what truly makes a good metaphor? Metaphors are commonly used in everyday speech and writing, but what makes a powerful metaphor is the power they have of connecting the audience with the artist. In Inside Out and Back Again, Thanhha Lai writes “I’m practicing to be seen” when Ha, the main character, is learning how to defend herself with her brother on page 161.
Rhetoric is debatably the foundation of every society, relationship, and piece of writing, but the branches which extend off of rhetoric are usually not analyzed with the same depth. One figure of speech in particular intertwines a level of complexity that allows for a drastic amount of interpretation: metaphors. A metaphor is nearly always within one’s speech, intentional or unintentional; a metaphor allows a reader to dive deeper into a text and allows more creativity to be shown. The protege of Plato, Greek philosopher, scientist and debatably one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Western thought, Aristotle, produced the books Rhetoric I, II, and III, where he plays with the concept and necessity of metaphors. Continuously Aristotle refutes himself, but throughout the rigorous interpretation and analyzation one may see he leans towards the usage of metaphors and the beneficial properties it bestows. Aristotle describes a metaphor within book III, Poetics as, “…the application of an alien name by transference either from genus to species, or from species to genus, or from species to species, or by analogy, that is, proportion.” The usage of metaphors is a critical way for a reader to grasp deep understanding of a topic that without there would not be a correct explanation for, while allowing the author to steer them into the correct interpretation of the text.
For this session, I introduced figurative language to Sophia. The first two examples of figurative language I taught her were similes and metaphors. I taught this lesson in the same format I taught story elements. I would have the definition writing down on the power point of Sophia and would have her write down the term and definitions in her notebook to refer back to later. I also included some examples as a way to teach the term that I also asked her to write down in her notebook.
It discusses what has previously been researched and distinguishes what arguments the author plans to advance in their essay. Heidt’s literature review focuses on metaphors as a powerful rhetorical tool. He calls on their ability to organize people’s attitudes and beliefs in certain directions, inviting audiences to adopt particular views and ideas. Heidt also discusses a metaphor’s ability to resolve contradiction, pointing to policy discussions in which metaphors are used to direct audiences towards a specific goal or
Metaphors are a useful literary device that help enhance the readers interpretation of the author 's intent and they provide clarity to the context.
It always amazes me to see how people can be alike, and different, at the same time. As I age, I find that I am ever more observant to the uniqueness of each individual, yet awed by our common humanity. Our differences are less something to be feared, than something to be celebrated. The metaphor presentations varied significantly, yet they addressed the same theme. The assignment provided an opportunity to glimpse how my classmates see and use metaphor. I believe we grow when we experience the creativity of others.
I really like the reading about different metaphors, and I found some of them quite interesting. I recognized some of my professors’ teaching styles as well. The Mail Carrier Metaphor + The Garden Metaphor can best describe the public school teaching style in China, which will definitely not be my philosophy of EFL teaching.
Just as Osterwalder believed that the business model canvas served as a visual aid to understanding organizational strategy, Van Engen believes that metaphors enhances communication by way of providing validity, giving clarity, and developing creativity. Anyone can deliver a message verbally, but the ability to deliver that message effectively requires a different skill set. Metaphors are useful communication devices in daily conversations and they are conceptual tools that are used to make sense of an issue, which helps to interpret and deliver meaning. (Ortony, 1974; Oswick & Grant, 1996)
Foregoing, metaphors only used in poetry, drama, literature or holy books. People also did not have an idea about metaphorical types, as time goes by metaphors became popular in conversation and people start extensively explored about metaphorical types. Now, metaphors become widely known and used in almost every aspect of conversations so as metaphorical types description. Metaphors are accepted in every circle, that is why nowadays people tend to use metaphorical regularly in speech, advertisement, songs, movie, and even when gossiping. Older people love to use metaphor to show off their experience and mock others in a most polite way. For young people, they use metaphor so they would look smart and mature. Either way is good that people
Metaphors are basically another manner of communication. It is in essence a shortcut to immediate comprehension. You can consider it like an intellectual calculation in which you are comparing one thing to another thing. Metaphors can turn complicated and unknown objects or thoughts into something that can be easily understood by listener. This is because you are taking something that is familiar to the listener and comparing it to something that may be unfamiliar in order for them to get a better understanding. “Metaphors are to be understood as a global term meaning a comparison between two unlike things which serves to enhance our understanding” (Bowman 1996-1997 p. 1). Metaphors can assist speakers and listeners in understanding and communicating with each other about different things and relating those things to their personal views. “These metaphors and their understood meanings could be considered positive or negative, constructive or destructive.” (Bowman 1996-1997) Metaphors are oftentimes unnoticed, but they hold an unbelievably great deal of influence. The usage of metaphors when enthralled in conflict might aid those involved in moving toward a solution or escalate the issues and cause the conflict to get worse.