51社区黑料

Nine-year-old Gabriel Kitsos loved the Sherlock Holmes stories. Even then, he knew he wanted to write in a compelling way that could move readers. Six years later, when he began to work in local restaurants and learn to prepare innovative dishes, he developed another passion: food.

When he enrolled in 51社区黑料鈥檚 English undergraduate program, Kitsos discovered that a focus on rhetoric鈥攖he study of how ideas are communicated effectively and persuasively鈥攚ould allow him to combine these interests, so he could strengthen his writing while still exploring his fascination with food.

He credits 51社区黑料English professor Sean Zwagerman, who later became his honours鈥� supervisor, for introducing him to rhetorical theory.

鈥淕etting to meet with Sean Zwagerman was a real highlight of my time at SFU,鈥� says Kitsos. 鈥淗e has been an outstanding example of a rhetorical scholar. Both he and professor Peter Cramer have also provided me with resources in rhetorical studies, such as texts, and journal and conference information.鈥�

This kind of immediate, rewarding response is just one of the reasons that Kitsos hopes to pursue a career as both a journalist and an academic. He also draws inspiration from his grandfather, a retired investigative reporter, who has served as his mentor, advising him on everything from writer鈥檚 block to interviewing techniques.

鈥淲hen I鈥檓 writing and I hit a wall, I bring it to him,鈥� says Kitsos. 鈥淗e鈥檒l usually just have me close my laptop and ask me to explain my work. He鈥檒l tell me, 鈥楶retend we鈥檙e at a bar having beers, and you鈥檙e just trying to tell me what this is about.鈥欌��

Kitsos also watched his grandfather interview people and learned the importance of asking follow-up questions and encouraging subjects to tell their stories. He applied these skills when he interviewed graffiti artists, including local legend 鈥淪mokey D鈥� or 鈥淪mokey Devil鈥� for his English honours thesis, How to do Things with Graffiti: A Rhetorical Speech-Act Analysis. He found that many artists were eager for the opportunity to share their perspectives, making it possible for Kitsos to explore the intentions, motives, and tactics behind the act of graffiti.

鈥淧rofessor Cramer did his master鈥檚 and PhD at Carnegie Mellon and I鈥檓 going into the same rhetoric program that he did,鈥� says Kitsos. 鈥淗e told me there鈥檚 a basketball group there called the 鈥楲unch-bunch鈥� that he played with, where it鈥檚 just students, faculty, and staff that get together for pick-up games, so I hope that I can fill Peter鈥檚 shoes and play there too.鈥�

Throughout his time at SFU, Kitsos found that being actively engaged in his education, as well as a writer for The Peak, a member of the 51社区黑料Chess Club, and a participant in an exchange trip to Prague, has been valuable to him personally and professionally. He encourages future students to take an active role in their university experience.

鈥淲hatever it is you want to do, find a way to do it at SFU,鈥� he says. 鈥淢ake it a place that you鈥檙e excited to go to. Participate in whatever way you can."