Moves are Tropes!

One of the astonishing findings that I had learned in the beginning of this course is that theories are not formed from refreshingly original idea that no one has ever thought. In other words, diverse perspectives of ideas and concepts shaped by others in the past come together in a particular way in an individual's unique mind in order for theories to be made. This does not only apply to theories, but opinions in general as well. When one states that 'in my personal opinion,' it does not mean that individual has some refreshingly original ideas. They may have interesting approaches and methods of putting ideas together, but the building blocks are often opinions that have existed for a long time. This notion struck me with a new perspective to approach this entire course about discourse. Professor Graban has described the acts of discourse as;

"products of back-and forth negotiation, i.e. negotiated as a result of some relationship formed between reader, writer, reader's probable assumptions, writer's assumptions, text, context, background knowledge, space, time"

The relationship between these various factors are all about presenting the existing ideas and interpreting them. By using the term 'interpreting,' it refers to taking thoughts and ideas and processing them through a metaphorical tube that is your own unique mind, the thinking computer and pushing them out on the other end of that tube. It is a simple concept to think about. In fact, everyone unconsciously does this in every sentence they write, type, or speak. But by learning and investigating about this process, it created a whole different meaning within my mind to explain anything.

Throughout this course, Joe Harris' Rewriting has been helpful in learning to use other authors' words in various ways such as 'Coming to Terms,' 'Forwarding,' and 'Countering.' Theories by diverse authors from the coursepack have helped me learn about discourse. It has been challenging to have many theories mixed together, but some of the ideas have started to link together, and having the opportunity to attend Joe Harris' lecture contributed to a deeper understanding of Rewriting and relating it to particularly the theory of tropes by Killingsworth.

In Appeals in Modern Rhetoric...An Ordinary-Language Approach, Killingsworth describes different types of tropes. He notes that they "tend to connect the abstract to the concrete." By using tropes, people have historically been able to make sense of puzzling things such as ideas and opinions, and natural phenomena. Tropes are methods, and approaches that man have used for as long as language existed in order to have previously uncomfortable or confusing thoughts turn into their own assets to effectively use in discourse. In his lecture, Harris was using a writing called Speak Softly anc Carry a Lipstick by Adrienne Niederriter as examples for the audience to identify some 'moves' that she was using. I interprted the portion that the audience read as Niederriter explaining that red lipstick during war efforts not only indicated government support system but also empowerment for women (8). She was 'Arguing the Other Side' of what red lip stick had originally represented which was just to support the war efforts of the American government. Killingsworth's explanations of tropes can also break down this sentence. It is a metaphor in a way she identifies red lipstick as a sign of both government support and women empowerment, because according to Killingsworth, metaphor is "identifying one position with another," "by bringing together seemingly unlike things."(123) It is not as simple as "love is a rose," but red lip sticks are definitely represented through the use of dissimilar ideas than just a cosmetic tool.

Tropes are used very frequently in language, but by re-investigating how they are used and applied to convey a message can open up a different perspective and connection in discourse. All Harris' 'Moves' are complex use of tropes. In 'Coming to Terms,' one defines a writer's project by identifying, associating, or representing one position with another (Killingsworth 121). The term 'Extending' within 'Forwarding' refers to spinning the term. For example, in one of the examples Harris used in his lecture, he first defines wrestling and refers it to sitcom as a similar concept. This method can also be seen as metaphor because he uses wrestling to further define sitcom.

We are always engaging in discourse, forming relationships with assumptions, contexts, background knowledge, space, and time (Graban). Learning and applying theories in this course have supported and helped me understand this essential act of human beings. As they make more linkages, they become more and more beneficial to all fields and areas of studies and occupations that I will encounter in my life.


Graban, Tarez Samra. "lecture." English W350. Indiana University. Bloomington, 7 Septermber 2010

Harris, Joe. "Teaching the moves of the Critical Essay." Indiana University. Bloomington, 29 November 2010

Killingsworth, M. Jimmie. "Appeal Through Tropes." In Appeals in Modern Rhetoric: An Ordinary Language Approach. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois U P, 2005. 121-135

Niederriter, Adrienne. "Speak Softly and Carry a Lipstick" : Government Influence on Female Sexuality through Cosmetics During WWII. Writing 20, Fall 2009.