Watch a Pro Use All Four Temperaments
Editing for personality belongs in every English 101 course
By JackDermody on 01-23-2008
What follows is an actual plea I received today from a current Presidential candidate for supporters to do phone work. Notice that all four temperaments are addressed. The beauty is in the brevity. I’ll call the candidate John.
“John’s supporters will gather in homes all over Los Angeles County to make calls for John. Bring your cell phone, meet fellow John supporters that live near you and have a fun afternoon helping to elect the candidate that has the experience to lead and bring about change starting on January 21, 2009. CALL FOR THE NEAREST LOCATION.”
Don’t Idealists have to love the engaging sense of community and potential friendships? Won’t Guardians relax and let their “guard” down because there’s nothing strange or unusual when the whole County is involved? Won’t Artisans and Rationals love the brevity and clarity of the request? Artisans will go for the fun, right? All that said, might Rationals be the least attracted to this promotion and wouldn’t most of them rather do anything else but make cold calls?
I posted this because I believe that modern editing should include the Four Temperaments – and they ought to be part of every English 101 class in the world. This candidate’s promotion was a pretty good example, don’t you think?
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Posted by KipParent on Jan 23, 2008
That is a pretty good plea. As a Rational I like the statement of leading change - although you are right, I don't enjoy cold phone calling (I have done it plenty for causes I believe in...) |
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Posted by Keillan on Jan 25, 2008
I'll second the notion that Rationals are reticent to be cold telephoning. For me, that makes me rather nervous, although I did briefly work for a telephone survey firm. In terms of teaching the Four Temperaments, perhaps not necessarily in those terms, but yes, something that covers the whole of human experience is worthwhile. English 101 is the beginning of liberal education, so that's where it should start. |
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Posted by Faucethead on May 8, 2008
As a law student, your blog made me think of closing statements in the courtroom. I would bet that the best closings are those that appeal to all four types. Or, if an attorney is astute enough to type the jury, those types. |
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Posted by JackDermody on May 13, 2008
Faucethead, when you get to practice in moot court, I hope you'll try appealing to all four types and report the results to us. If you want another brain in the creation of the appeals, make me a friend on this site and feel comfortable sharing your first drafts with me. I'll be happy to brainstorm with you. :) |
Reminds me of the time when I was involved cold calling on behalf a political party. I rang this one number in the South Wales Valleys and before I finished with the title of the party, the caller replied 'Leave it there, love'. What I was quite meant to leave where I'm still not sure but it made me smile and chuckle. I think she was Rational.