Victoria Cuello

English 2020
5/13/14
Ice #1: Pre-assesment
"Language is like a suit of clothes." Because this quote reveals key insights on the use of
language, it is very useful and insightful for a discussion of expression through writing. In this
paper I will elaborate on the meaning of this quote by Zitkala-Sa and demonstrate how it applies
to the rhetorical process.
When I look at this quote, I focus on the word suit. The way someone is dressed says a
lot about the person. When a person elects to dress in a proper suit the immediate message
communicated is that they want to look professional, educated, and of higher social standing. In
writing the same kind of phenomenon is experienced. When people write well, the perception is
that they are well versed, intelligent, clear, and persuasive. As such, I understand why Zitkala-Sa
made the comparison between language and formal clothing. Thus, the way that we
communicate says a great deal about a person, just like the way we dress speaks volumes about
an individual.
A key to understanding the rhetorical process is to understand the term rhetoric. Put
simply, rhetoric is the tools of persuasion. Furthermore, the stages of this rhetorical process
include planning and prewriting, collaborating, researching, drafting, editing, reviewing,
revising, and publishing (Graves, 1984). Upon completion, writing is evaluated by its focus,
development, organization, style, and conventions (Graves, 1984). Similarly, when we see a
person dressed in a suit, we are looking at the completion of a look that took planning,
reviewing, and execution. It is also judged by similar standards; was the look stylish and well
organized? Was the person well received and properly perceived? Thus, the similarities between
language and a suit are undeniable.
In conclusion, the way we are perceived can appropriately be determined by how well we
dress and how well we write. This perception creates the need for proper standards in writing and
dressing. As with many things, our final products, be it an academic paper, public speech, or
physical appearance, are ultimately judged by how well they accomplished what they were
intended to do. Since the intent is to persuade others to our cause, I affirm that Zitkala-Sas quote
is insightful and quite useful in our discussion of personal expression.
1. Graves, Richard L. Rhetoric and Composition: A Sourcebook for Teachers and Writers. Upper
Montclair, NJ: Boynton/Cook, 1984. Print.