Brooke+Lockwood+RP+Post+1

I am leaning towards writing a lit review, as I feel it is the best paper to accurately capture the scope and nuances of my topic, the rhetoric of social/environmental movements. By writing a lit review, I will be able to synthesize a variety of sources analyzing my topic, which I find to be rich with possible sources of analysis, while simultaneously incorporating my own analysis. I am also considering, however, writing an extended definition of intelligence. Intelligence is a widely interpreted topic, its definition evolving with each passing age, and thus an extended definition would allow me to probe deeply into the idea of intelligence and explain its variety of interpretations. How dependent is the success of a movement on its rhetoric? How is intelligence defined and how has this definition changed?
 * I. Presentation of Research Findings**
 * II. The Pursuit of Knowledge**
 * In what ways has rhetoric been utilized to aid in the success of social and environmental movements?**


 * III. Background and Early Knowledge**

As someone who has and continues to be involved in various environmental and social causes, I have some experience with the rhetoric used by the organizational bodies of these causes. Slogans are widely used, and while they generally do not penetrate into the heart of an issue, they are useful in gaining the public's attention and attracting wider following. In the 1960s and '70s, songs were also a common way to voice the concerns of the people, launching many artists to national prominence, such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Themes of unity and brotherhood are also very common.

As for the definition of intelligence and its evolution, I am aware that their are several theories that online what defines intelligence. While some measure the speed at which one can reason vs. crystalline intelligence, others explore multiple intelligences. Theories that support multiple intelligences emphasize that intelligence is more than one's academic ability, encapsulating physical and creative ability. Some modern cultures emphasize math and science, while others, mainly Western countries, put more emphasis on vocabulary. Certain disorders, especially those on the autism spectrum, can also complicate the issue of defining intelligence, as one might be extremely gifted in one arena, but absolutely incapable in another. I am very interested in both of these topics, and I feel that I would be able to write a great paper on either of these subjects. My interest in the rhetoric of social/environmental causes is a personal one, as I have both listened to and used rhetoric in support of various issues. While it might be strange to dissect something so personal, I feel it would be an important subject to analyze as it might clarify what draws people to become so passionate about various issues. Once I begin, I could see taking this into both a historical and modern perspective, looking back at the 1960s and 1970s, when the country was blooming with activism, as well as looking at some of today's social and environmental movements. This might create an interesting contrasts between what was effective then versus today. Because there is such a broad range of media used to effect change today, I could also see writing about how the dawn of the internet age has affected the rhetoric of these movements. My one concern is my uncertainty regarding how a "lit review" essay is written, and whether I can actually create something that is unique.
 * IV. The Rationale**

My interest in intelligence largely stems from my interest in prodigies and geniuses, as well as my own periods of personal introspection. I consider myself to be an intelligent person, but I have always wondered what intelligence actually is, and how it develops in varying degrees, if their are degrees at all. Writing this essay would allow me to explore these uncertainties and inform my own opinion about what intelligence is. While writing, I could explore prodigies and geniuses, or even those on the autism spectrum. I could also write about how the definition of intelligence has been defined from a historical perspective, exploring how intelligence was perceived from the ancient Greeks to today. My one concern is being able to synthesize a paper about something that has been written on extensively, thus providing an enormous amount of material, and maintain a clear thesis.