Blog 14 Mar. 5

Robert R. Johnson is a professor of rhetoric, composition, and technical communication at the University of Michigan. In the text titled “For Romancing the Atom”, Johnson writes too different subjects. His first and primary audience throughout the text are his students and fellow professors. It is also safe to say that the text can be intend for those also interested in learning more about rhetoric. This text is also used to persuade his readers while also informing them about the topic. Throughout the article Johnson stresses the idea of manipulation. He believes that actions of others as well as ourselves are created by manipulation of events. Throughout the text, Johnson argues how different rhetoric and language is used through this manipulation. He argues that the certain way humans handle situations causes unique communication and rhetoric between different people. Johnson also uses a lot of primary sources in his text. He uses sources such as Albert Einstein quotes as well as various reports from very intellectual scientists. To discuss rhetoric more in depth Johnson also wrote “For the Love of Pretty Things: The Radium Girls and ‘Dying for Science.” In this text also portraits the same message as the last text but in a different way. This story about five women who were unaware that they were consuming and touching radioactive materials. At first these women did not know why they became ill but they later figured it was out it was due to the radium watches. When the five women talk about their illness they used rhetoric to persuade their listeners that the company was at fault for this tragedy. This came very difficultly for the women because they had to gain support from people other than themselves. In conclusion these two articles show how rhetoric can be used and is created by societal events.