TOW #4: IRB How To Win Friends & Influence People

        How To Win Friends & Influence People, written by Dale Carnegie, underlines the fundamentals in complete success in almost every scenario presented in a persons life. The book is split up into four parts, of which I have finished two. Carnegie sets up the sections of the book by providing evidence to support his "principle," which is presented at the end of each section. Ultimately, the book consists of general rules that one should abide by and apply to their lives in order to be successful when working with others.
       In the beginning of the book, Dale Carnegie's ethos is established by the preface and explanation of the concepts and purpose of the book. Early on in the book, Carnegie also establishes that this book is interactive, and there are rules to it such as; stop and think how you can apply the principles, take notes, read with a highlighter, and read each chapter multiple times. Through each chapter, Carnegie produces a multitude of historical examples from which the principles are derived from. He constantly refers to Abraham Lincoln and utilizes quotes such as, "Don't criticize them; they are just as we would be under similar circumstances" (Carnegie 9), in an attempt to allude to his overall purpose of that specific chapter. Carnegie also uses allusions to other writers, philosophers, and scholars, including "one of the classics of American journalism, 'Father Forgets'" (Carnegie 14). Among the abundance of allusions and historical examples, Dale Carnegie also presents some personal anecdotes from his life and childhood. He also draws on concepts and results he has acquired through his classes and students. Although some examples and concepts may appear dated, they are all directly relatable to the current generation. Metaphors and other rhetoric devices are slipped into the text by Carnegie such as, "your smile is like the sun breaking the clouds" (Carnegie 69).
       Dale Carnegie is addressing a general audience. He discusses how the concepts are helpful in both business, and economics, yet also very helpful in general social situations. His examples also appeal to many different groups of people. His overall purpose, from what I can see so far, is to lay out the basics of success in influencing and talking to others. He touches on points such as, smiling and how one sincere smile can change someones day and cause them to simply have a different view of you. So far, he has covered the topics of handling people, and the ways in which to make someone like you. There is little depth in the actual concepts themselves, and he stresses more on the ways in which to apply the techniques and principles to your own life. From the point in the book I am at currently, I find the whole book and psychology behind it very interesting. Dale Carnegie has been very successful in these first few chapters in explaining and providing examples as to how to truly be successful in life when dealing with others.

Robindickinson.com