Does hope really demolish one from achieving the best or is hope the fuel that ignites one’s ambitions? According to Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, one can only be successful if they give up all hope of succeeding. In her article, “Start Where You Are”, Chodron shares her perspective on Buddhism and how giving up hope is the solution to all problems. On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson advocates hope by persuading his nephew in a letter to always strive to become better. These two authors provide readers with two very different views on how one could live an exceeding life.
In the article, “Start Where You Are”, Pema Chodron states that one can only achieve something or some goal by giving up ...view middle of the document...
Though Chodron makes powerful statements such as, “as long as you’re wanting yourself to get better, you won’t, “ or, “ Buddha is not somebody that was born than 2000 years ago and was smarter than you’ll ever be, “ with the usage of rhetoric making her article dynamic, the readers can still discern some ineffective persuasive strategies. Chodron’s argument becomes weak because of her use of hyperbole. She exaggerates dramatically when she claims “there are 12 step programs…someday there will probably be a 108 step program. This statement is fallacious because it uses slippery slope, a logical fallacy, which makes it ineffective. Chodron uses slippery slope by asserting that since there is already a twelve step program; someday there will be a 24 step program and then a 108 step program, which is illogical because the step programs would have stopped before reaching such a high number and it is not necessary for point C to happen just because point A and B did. Due to Chodron exaggerating to the extremes to prove her point, her argument comes off as inconclusive. Pema Chodron creates an image of a life with no hope and no disappointments with her strong beliefs woven in her writing.
Thomas Jefferson composed a letter to his nephew, Peter Carr, asking him to reconsider and reconstruct his life. Peter had been slacking in his studies, which had disappointed Jefferson and in his letter, he discusses the challenges one goes through along with a schedule one should follow to lead a successful life. Thomas Jefferson engenders a convincing argument that is effective through the use of rhetoric. He successfully applies the rhetorical device allusion to define his point. Jefferson refers to the Gordian knot, a Greek legend that was given its name by Gordius, a peasant turned king, who tied an intricate to his oxcart as a dedication towards Zeus. Gordius had exclaimed that the next person who unties the knot would rule all of Asia. Many tried and failed but when...
