Okay, this is more of a venting post. In one of our first classes, Hillory handed out a worksheet containing many different definitions of rhetoric. We spent most of the class discussing these definitions, as well as the Herrick article, "The History and Theory of Rhetoric." One topic of discussion we focused on was the difference(s) (if it even existed), between rhetoric and communication. According to Herrick, the differences between rhetoric and communication are very small. Herrick states, "If persuasion is central to social organization, and if the art of rhetoric takes in the study of persuasion, then our lives as members of human communities are inherently and inescapably rhetorical." In my opinion, everything humans do is rhetorical. Whether we are designing buildings, talking with a friend, or dancing, rhetoric is always involved. I was a bit perplexed a few days ago when one of my professors brought up the topic of rhetoric vs. communication. I was giving a presentation on visual aids and mentioned rhetoric and the strategies of ethos, logos, and pathos. Since my audience was not quite ready to discuss the differences between communication and rhetoric, I decided to leave the topic out; yet, when my professor brought it up, she stated, "And what I'd like to note now that there is a distinct difference between rhetoric and communication. Communication is the sending and receiving of messages, while rhetoric is communication with intent, motivation, or a goal." I was shocked -- keep in mind that this professor is highly decorated and I would easily consider her a knowledgeable source of information. Naturally, I did not want to correct her in front of an entire class, but I think that in order for rhetoric to advance as a strong term it is important that all are on the same page. A unit or study of rhetoric should be mandatory for all first-years in either FYP or FYS, isn't rhetoric equally or more important than learning how to write a research paper? Rhetoric is involved in daily life and the ability to recognize and employ it is very impressive. Rhetoric is a life skill.