Writing Which Saves the World

If I were Superman, I’d roam the campus of Penn State University with a sidekick named Merriam-Webster. The misuse of “your” would be the kryptonite that would cripple me. All time spent not saving the world would be spent writing for The Daily Collegian, instead of The Daily Planet and my secret identity would be a recluse who reads books and writes poetry in her dorm room. My Fortress of Solitude would be a coffee shop where I’d protect Happy Valley from the corruption of the illiterate.

Yet, shocking as it may be I’m no super human. I am however an English major who hopes to one day enter the world of Publishing. I stand as a 19 year old wishing to publish books that will ignite a spark in the minds of the public, much like the one that claimed me.

I find solace in reading. It was in reading that I discovered that all of mankind has the same basic desires and feelings. Books always were a way to connect with the world around me, while also escaping it. That paradox enthralled me and as a highly sarcastic person, the ability to use words to enlist feelings and unspoken meanings has always been an art form to me. Whether it was song lyrics or newspaper articles, words always were and always will be my close friend.

My life journey is simply a story of being fascinated with stories. I am, however, more than a reader. I also write for Penn State’s The Daily Collegian. It is a recent endeavor but a joyous one nevertheless. Writing for the newspaper employs my ability to meet deadlines and work hard, balancing both school and the newspaper.

Simply, I enjoy writing. I enjoy reading and I enjoy any form of the collaboration between the two. Yet, there is more to me than English. I enjoy food. I enjoy napping. I find politics interesting (though I know few people who actually enjoy them) and - thanks in large part to a mother who taught me the proper way to observe people, while sitting on a bench in the mall - I enjoy human psychology. A friend to nature, the image shown above I took when I canoed 70 miles through the Algonquin outback of Canada this past summer. I also have maintained employment since I was fifteen years old and played soccer, while also dabbling in a vortex of various arts and things that all started with the proclamation that “I must try this at least once.”

Citing a line from my favorite poem by e.e. cummings, “life is not a paragraph” and with that in mind, I encourage you to read on as I try to save the world.

Link to Kelsey Tamborrino's E-Portfolio

Romney Rhetoric

Throughout this entire process of blogging about rhetoric, I’ve tried not to mention the current political spectrum. Though politics are one of the best displays of both successful and failing rhetoric, I have far too much to say about candidates, so I’ve avoided it.

This week though, I’ve decided to highlight the “civic” part of Rhetoric and Civic Life. Without divulging too deeply into politics, I want to discuss the failed rhetoric of Mitt Romney recently.

In a speech, Romney attacked President Obama as “out of touch” for spending too much time at Harvard, where Obama went to law school.

But Romney himself has twice as many degrees from Harvard, as Obama.

That’s where rhetoric failed.

Any time a person makes a speech or an argument, in order for rhetoric to work well, we need to think about what we are saying before we say it.

Often politicians say things that are later analyzed and then their integrity is placed at risk, when it becomes a topic in the media.  For Romney to criticize Obama on his Harvard education, when he himself has degrees from Harvard – no matter what point he is trying to make – makes him seem hypocritical.

It is crucial to think before we speak. It is crucial to always think about every statement we make, from all angles. Whenever an argument is made, we must always think about how our words can be misconstrued or taken differently.

As a politician, Romney should be more aware of his presence and he should be aware that whenever he makes a statement, there is a whole opposing political party looking for a flaw – looking for a way to expose him and shine a negative light.

This situation is a perfect example of a statement backfiring and though, as rhetorical speakers we aren’t trying to be elected by a nation, it is a great example of how we must try our best to always have a solid argument.