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    Rhetorical Theory, Chapter 1

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    Matthew Mace Barbee
    This document provides an overview of key concepts in rhetoric and rhetorical theory. It discusses how rhetoric relies on symbols to communicate with an audience and establish what is probably true. The document also notes that rhetorical theory is both analytical and inventive. It outlines some areas of disagreement among rhetorical theorists, such as whether rhetoric is limited to persuasion or includes other forms of discourse. Additionally, the document states that rhetorical practices change based on cultural and technological contexts.

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    Rhetorical Theory, Chapter 1

    Uploaded by

    Matthew Mace Barbee
    187 views14 pages
    This document provides an overview of key concepts in rhetoric and rhetorical theory. It discusses how rhetoric relies on symbols to communicate with an audience and establish what is probably true. The document also notes that rhetorical theory is both analytical and inventive. It outlines some areas of disagreement among rhetorical theorists, such as whether rhetoric is limited to persuasion or includes other forms of discourse. Additionally, the document states that rhetorical practices change based on cultural and technological contexts.

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    Rhetorical Theory, Chapter 1

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    Rhetorical Theory, Chapter 1

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    This document provides an overview of key concepts in rhetoric and rhetorical theory. It discusses how rhetoric relies on symbols to communicate with an audience and establish what is probably true. The document also notes that rhetorical theory is both analytical and inventive. It outlines some areas of disagreement among rhetorical theorists, such as whether rhetoric is limited to persuasion or includes other forms of discourse. Additionally, the document states that rhetorical practices change based on cultural and technological contexts.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    187 views14 pages

    Rhetorical Theory, Chapter 1

    Uploaded by

    Matthew Mace Barbee
    This document provides an overview of key concepts in rhetoric and rhetorical theory. It discusses how rhetoric relies on symbols to communicate with an audience and establish what is probably true. The document also notes that rhetorical theory is both analytical and inventive. It outlines some areas of disagreement among rhetorical theorists, such as whether rhetoric is limited to persuasion or includes other forms of discourse. Additionally, the document states that rhetorical practices change based on cultural and technological contexts.

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    You are on page 1of 14

    DEFINING RHETORIC &

    RHETORICAL THEORY
    ENG 211: RHETORIC
    T H U R S D AY J A N U A R Y 1 4 2 0 1 6

    ACTIVITY I: RHETORIC & INTENTION


    In your groups discuss a time you assigned meaning to something that was
    not intended as communication. For instance, a friend who yawned in a
    discussion who was not necessarily communicating that he or she was bored.
    Then, answer these questions.
    How much weight did you put on the unintentional behavior?
    What caused you to assign meaning to the action?
    How did your interpretation of the other persons behavior influence the
    conversation?

    ACTIVITY II: ANALYZING OPINION


    WRITING
    Who is the audience for the rhetoric youve identified? What action can the
    audience take regarding the rhetoric?
    Describe the symbols that are used in the rhetoric. Are there any that are
    especially powerful? Overall, do you think the rhetoric is effective? Why or
    why not?
    What are the various social truths that are part of the issue? Which belief do
    you think is most widely held by our culture? Why?
    Predict the outcome of the issue. Which side do you think will prevail? Why?

    ACTIVITY III: RHETORIC & SYMBOLS


    Which symbols were most powerful? Which influenced you the most? Why?
    Which symbols were least powerful? Why?
    Would you do anything different if you could redesign the advertisement?

    DEFINITIONS OF RHETORIC, PART I


    At the most basic level, rhetoric includes words, images, and gestures presented
    to an audience.
    Aristotle associated rhetoric with the tools used in persuasion.
    The book, Rhetorica ad Herennium, identified the five basic functions of rhetoric:
    invention, arrangement, style, delivery, and memory.
    Peter Ramus separated the delivery aspects of rhetoric from its inventional
    components.
    Francis Bacon applied psychological principles to rhetoric, saying that the duty
    and office of rhetoric is to apply reason to imagination for the better moving of
    the will.

    DEFINITIONS OF RHETORIC, PART II


    Marie Hochmuth Nichols implied that rhetoric was used to make choices
    and pass judgment.
    Kenneth Burke equated rhetoric with identification and cooperation.
    Sonja Foss and Cindy Griffin focused on how rhetoric can create equalitarian
    relationships between speakers and audiences.
    Thomas Farrell focuses on the social act of rhetoric, which allows people to
    collaborate and make decisions.
    Thomas Rosteck added that rhetoric is used to create individual and social
    identities.

    ADDITIONAL TERMS USED IN THE


    STUDY OF RHETORIC
    Rhetoric is used to define both the content of what someone
    communicates as well as the theory that explains certain forms of
    communication.
    In this book, rhetoric, or rhetorical practice, will refer to the symbols people
    communicate.
    Rhetor is used to define the person communicating.
    Rhetorical theory describes and explains rhetorical practice.
    Rhetorical theorist refers to the person who develops a particular rhetorical
    theory.

    R H E T O R I C H A S , AT
    MINIMUM, FOUR
    BASIC
    CHARACTERISTICS

    RHETORIC RELIES ON SYMBOLS


    Symbols represent something else.
    Symbols are arbitrary and subjective.
    Symbols include letters, words, pictures, and nonverbal gestures.

    RHETORIC INVOLVES AN AUDIENCE


    Audiences determine the meaning of symbols.
    Because an audience is involved, rhetoric is practical.
    Audiences are either immediately present or dispersed in time and space.

    RHETORIC ESTABLISHES WHAT IS


    PROBABLY TRUE
    Rhetoric is used to communicate about ideas that are not certain.
    Some theorists are skeptical of rhetoric because it does not communicate
    absolute truths.

    RHETORICAL THEORY IS ANALYTICAL


    AND INVENTIVE
    Rhetorical theory can be used to create effective forms of communication.
    Rhetorical theory also addresses the implications of how rhetoric is used.

    THEORISTS DISAGREE ABOUT FIVE


    QUESTIONS REGARDING PERSUASION
    Theorists question whether rhetoric is limited to persuasion, or if it includes
    informative discourse as well.
    Theorists disagree about whether rhetoric is intentional.
    Theorists focus on different types of symbols. Some theorists focus mostly
    on words, others on images and pictures.
    Rhetorical theory has been expanded to explain mediated forms as well as
    traditionally oratorical forms.
    Rhetorical theorists have, at various times, focused on either the content or
    stylistic qualities of rhetoric.

    RHETORICAL PRACTICES CHANGE IN


    DIFFERENT TIMES & CONTEXTS
    Culture influences how rhetoric is practiced.
    Technology has also affected how we think about rhetoric.

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