SWA 2

Matt Miller’s paper, “ Is Persuasion Dead?” is about the dieing methods and effects of persuasive writing and speaking. He questions if it is even possible to sway the seemingly rock solid opinions of many Americans today. Miller believes that the public has no desire to be informed of the opposite side’s opinions, let alone be swayed to believe them. As a result, politicians do not even try to show a strong argument or debate that might make their voters unsure. The new world of persuasion is one of votes, popularity and entertainment. There are very few that can, in fact, change opinions of the hardheaded, and those people must stand up and fight for the preservation of influential speaking and writing. Of course, persuasion cannot only be brought back through the media. At home, parents must teach their children to be open to the opinions of others.

Miller wrote a strong paper on the need of persuasion in the media, yet he failed to mention the lack of openness in the minds of the youth. Children seem to be completely guided by the opinions of their parents. They have no regard for the opposing views and will surely never be openly influenced by them. It should be the responsibility of parents to raise their children with slight uncertainty. It is not necessary for them to have all of their views thought out and determined by the age of five.

Through my adolescence, I have learned that it is completely necessary to accept, yet not mindlessly adopt the views of others. If a time comes when one does find himself persuaded by the opposing side, it is not a shameful thing to succumb to those beliefs and embrace them as his own. My parents raised me to not judge others and to always keep an open mind towards other lifestyles, which is what I believe Matt Miller hopes will come from his writing.