Here's her final paper. (Not all of the suggestions I gave her did she take but most she listen to a lot of it. I told her that was her choice since it was her paper so she could do with my thoughts what she wanted.)
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Lilly Salyards
Sister Nielsen
Writing Mentor R. Salyards
Quest
1-13-16
Diplomacy’s Necessity
Diplomacy is made of many facets. Some of these facets are: being able to
influence others and a way to help others in their difficulties. Diplomacy is key to strong
leadership and influence. Diplomacy is often negotiation between nations, yet in
everyday life without either party having undo negative feelings, being a means to
quash contention or disharmony, diplomacy is needed to help keep peace and
happiness. Rhetoric is a bonus when persuading and using diplomacy. Diplomacy is
often called tact or persuasion, and Benjamin Franklin, a well-known diplomate
throughout history, was quite apt at making points without upsetting or discouraging
others in their debate. He had great amounts of practice in stating his positions on
matters, publicly beginning when he wrote humorous “Silence Dogood” letters. Franklin
with his knowledge based off of experience, would have agreed with Isaac Newton
when he said, “Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.”
Diplomacy is used between nations to agree, communicate, and further their
respective diplomat’s country. Franklin spent many years overseas as a diplomat for the
newly formed United States. In December of 1776, Franklin along with some others
were sent to France as commissioners to arrange a treaty. The whole of France
seemed to adore him, yet the French government was not willing to commit to a formal
treaty, for the outcome of the American Revolution had not yet been decided.
This was a time Franklin’s skills in diplomacy and leadership were put to full use
to convince the French government to aid the United States. Franklin was able to
productively communicate and handle this situation with care. Still trying to get formal
support from France, Franklin and other commissioners attempted to get a triple
alliance; France, Spain and the United States all together. France refused to go into this
alone, but Spain would have none of it. In 1777 when news of a success from the
United States came, all of the commissioners began again redoubling their effort in
forming an alliance with the French. The French reconsidered. French courts began
debating and looked deeply into all the possibilities of going into such an alliance. Soon
Franklin’s objective of getting an alliance with France to help the United States
succeeded.
Diplomacy and listening intently to understand the other party helps in
communicating your ideas and desires appropriately. It also allows the other person to
know that they have been heard and allows you a greater opportunity to then be heard
by them. Hopefully to the point in which they adopt your opinion and way of thought. All
done without hurting their pride by the use of this approach.
A friend who teaches the piano described a way she has helped a student while
being diplomatic. The student was really having a hard time and sometimes broke down
crying during lessons. The teacher would kindly listen to her student’s worries, feelings
and problems, trying to figure out a way to make the piano a good experience.
Understanding her student’s feelings made it easier to find a solution. Because the
teacher took time to understand her pupil, she became a more effective teacher for this
student. Intelligently using her skills to guide and create a solution without hurting her
student’s pride, made the situation better for both student and teacher. It helped build
confidence in both. Kindness is an effective starter for diplomacy and for not hurting
pride.
Wit is an excellent tool as an entrance for diplomacy in a conversation. Franklin
often used wit when speaking to friends and family. One such instance is described by
Thomas Jefferson of Franklin gently using wit in a diplomatic way.
When Dr. Franklin went to France on his revolutionary mission, his
eminence as a philosopher, his venerable appearance, and the
cause on which he was sent rendered him extremely popular. For
all ranks and conditions of men there entered warmly into the
American interest. He was, there, feasted and invited into all the
court parties. At these he sometimes met the old Duchess of
Bourbon, who, being a chess player of about his force, they very
generally played together. Happening once to put her king into
prize, the Doctor took it. “Ah,” said she, “we do not take kings so.”
“We do in America,” said the Doctor.
Wit is a good way to make the person think and understand a principal or encounter
differently. Franklin was known for his humor, which is one of the qualities that made
him so popular. Wit is fitting for diplomacy for it is intelligent and clever. It makes you
more likable and others desire to listen to you when something is funny rather than
serious.
I have used diplomatic wit while working a shift at a baseball snack shack.
Interesting customers in food with a funny remark while still being professional works
well. Humor put my customers into a good humor which made them indulge in more of
the possible things to buy.
Diplomacy is applicable in all situations including this rather interesting story. A
couple had to tread with care and use diplomacy as they tried to adopt several children.
After traveling to Russia, they had to appear in court to testify that they could take care
and provide for the children they truly wanted to adopt. They had to persuade everyone
whom they came into contact with. Gifts were given to all involved in the process of
adopting. In hopes to help create a feeling of goodwill. Persuading the judge was an
absolute must for the sweet determined couple to have the ability to adopt. Finally, the
couple was able to bring home their children and begin a new life with them. Diplomacy,
persuasion, and gifts were hugely involved in bringing the couple and children together
as a family.
Franklin used his intelligence and persuasion to further the cause of liberty and of
communication between people, just as we can. In our daily lives we can increase our
felicity both personal and publicly when we practice diplomacy. Diplomacy is without a
doubt a power of great worth. Understanding and communication is well worth the time
it takes. Household diplomacy may include figuring out what movie to watch as a family,
the type of dessert to devour after dinner on a Saturday, and/or sharing possessions
between children.
Diplomacy is a tool used to negate conflict. I have used it to help persuade my
brother when it was his turn to pick the family movie. He chose a movie that I, along
with multiple others did not want to watch. I thought about what I could do to lower the
tension and also help my brother to choose a different movie that would be more
enjoyable for everyone. I had a brilliant idea. Star Wars. I knew it was a good idea, but
how I was presented it (diplomatically with a tad of rhetoric, or not) would determine if
we all watched this movie. My efforts to be diplomatic succeeded well.
Diplomacy can have traces of rhetoric tied into it. Rhetoric is the ability to use words
in an attractive manner. It commands respect for what you are saying. A great
illustration of the combination of diplomacy and rhetoric is described by Winston
Churchill. “Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask
for directions.” (Disclaimer: Doing it this particular way is not advisable. Be more
diplomatic.)
In conversation one can clearly state expectations and ideas through diplomacy.
Such diplomacy brings the opportunity to have righteous influence, harmony and
appropriate negotiations and provides a reasonable solution. It brings out the best in a
situation. Both parties are benefited by this tactful way of discussing. Diplomacy
continues to be a skill that is worthy of each person’s attention and habits in speech and
action. Whether it is a small thing of not much consequence, or a large thing such as a
national committee, diplomacy influences what happens. If you have the ability to be
diplomatic use it to the advantage of yourself and others, with virtue in your heart and
mind.
Bibliography
Allison, Andrew M. The Real Benjamin Franklin. Washington, D.C.: National Center for
Constitutional Studies, 1987. Print.
Stevenson, Augusta, and Ray Quigley. Benjamin Franklin, Young Printer. New York:
Aladdin ;, 1986. Print.
"Benjamin Franklin". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 06 Jan. 2016
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Dove Thrift Edition ed.
New York: Dover Publications, 1996. Print.
Hart, Joseph. "Everyday Diplomacy." Experience Life. 2007. Web. 12 Jan. 2016
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