WEEK ONE RHETORIC AND ITS APPLICATIONS
The first piece of reading is from chapter 2 of RHETORICAL ANALYSIS: A BRIEF GUIDE FOR WRITERS by Mark Garret Longaker and Jeffery Walker.
". . .the rhetorical perspective views discourse - any meaningful use of signs and symbols (words, images, etc.) - as always and inherently situated" (p. 7).
The issue of a relationship between the speaker or writer and whomever is listening is presented initially in the piece. They discuss the field in which rhetoric plays out...it is an experience that happens between people. What is appropriate to the situation regarding how to use words rhetorically in a deliberate manner, with meaning, with purpose? Furthermore the piece delineates the language of rhetoric with rhetor, or practitioner of rhetoric, rhetorician meaning "analyst, theorist, or teacher of rhetoric." Through the use of the word discourse meaning any form of "persuasive effort."
Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail given as example of persuasive effort.
How is this different from in-class definition of rhetoric? Well, a couple examples include a thing rising out of classical greek philosophy (logic, grammar, rhetoric) and as any form of persuasive speaking or writing. By creating a focal point on specific words, Longaker & Walker enumerates the importance, or weight, of words and the gravity of specific speech is inherent in all people. Another interesting point brought up by the authors is the "ancient" word Kairos, a new word for me, that "basically means time, in the particular sense of a moment in time, especially the right time or the opportune time" (p. 8). Interesting because it draws into the discussion stages of life. This word introduced by Longaker and Walker shapes my understanding and definition of rhetoric. We constantly interact with folks who are generations before or after us. I'm 30, my niece is 7 months old, my brother will be 34 next month, my mother is 66, my yoga teacher is 49, my friend is 38, and on and on. Our context of speech changes as we interact with these generations. We have our own vocabulary that reflects where we are in life, and we have a vocabulary that is formed with cross-generational verbal interaction. We get to create new language with each new relationship we forge.
The authors are really great at breaking down the methodology of and components considered by a skilled rhetor. Maybe I can re-create them here:
Establish the atmosphere
Timing in regards to introducing an idea
The oral/speaking - aural/hearing relationship and how this relates to
"A rhetorical occasion" for the speech, how this relates to the need to alert the audience to this occasion for purposes of recognition
Exigence or issue being discussed
Types of discourse...is it judicial (court of law), deliberative (to address future actions or policies) or epideictic (praise or blame in the present)?
Forum
Larger historical and cultural context
Presuppositions
What I find so interesting, perhaps because it stimulates either a need for challenging the validity of speakers or deep seated trust issues, is that the purpose of practicing rhetoric is to convince an audience of the speakers point of view.
As a yoga teacher, I am careful with my words as I am teaching so that the teachings are being conveyed accurately. Rhetoric is a tool I use in practice to disseminate the practice of yoga. The practice is something I have structured my life around, it is a great thing to have yoga! So beneficial! So as a teacher I want to be persuasive....without having to persuade. The yoga needs to speak for itself and the teacher needs to engage the student.......When thinking about the purpose of rhetoric I continue to return to the underlying aspects of reality that prompt the use of rhetoric.
". . .the rhetorical perspective views discourse - any meaningful use of signs and symbols (words, images, etc.) - as always and inherently situated" (p. 7).
The issue of a relationship between the speaker or writer and whomever is listening is presented initially in the piece. They discuss the field in which rhetoric plays out...it is an experience that happens between people. What is appropriate to the situation regarding how to use words rhetorically in a deliberate manner, with meaning, with purpose? Furthermore the piece delineates the language of rhetoric with rhetor, or practitioner of rhetoric, rhetorician meaning "analyst, theorist, or teacher of rhetoric." Through the use of the word discourse meaning any form of "persuasive effort."
Martin Luther King's Letter From Birmingham Jail given as example of persuasive effort.
How is this different from in-class definition of rhetoric? Well, a couple examples include a thing rising out of classical greek philosophy (logic, grammar, rhetoric) and as any form of persuasive speaking or writing. By creating a focal point on specific words, Longaker & Walker enumerates the importance, or weight, of words and the gravity of specific speech is inherent in all people. Another interesting point brought up by the authors is the "ancient" word Kairos, a new word for me, that "basically means time, in the particular sense of a moment in time, especially the right time or the opportune time" (p. 8). Interesting because it draws into the discussion stages of life. This word introduced by Longaker and Walker shapes my understanding and definition of rhetoric. We constantly interact with folks who are generations before or after us. I'm 30, my niece is 7 months old, my brother will be 34 next month, my mother is 66, my yoga teacher is 49, my friend is 38, and on and on. Our context of speech changes as we interact with these generations. We have our own vocabulary that reflects where we are in life, and we have a vocabulary that is formed with cross-generational verbal interaction. We get to create new language with each new relationship we forge.
The authors are really great at breaking down the methodology of and components considered by a skilled rhetor. Maybe I can re-create them here:
Establish the atmosphere
Timing in regards to introducing an idea
The oral/speaking - aural/hearing relationship and how this relates to
"A rhetorical occasion" for the speech, how this relates to the need to alert the audience to this occasion for purposes of recognition
Exigence or issue being discussed
Types of discourse...is it judicial (court of law), deliberative (to address future actions or policies) or epideictic (praise or blame in the present)?
Forum
Larger historical and cultural context
Presuppositions
What I find so interesting, perhaps because it stimulates either a need for challenging the validity of speakers or deep seated trust issues, is that the purpose of practicing rhetoric is to convince an audience of the speakers point of view.
As a yoga teacher, I am careful with my words as I am teaching so that the teachings are being conveyed accurately. Rhetoric is a tool I use in practice to disseminate the practice of yoga. The practice is something I have structured my life around, it is a great thing to have yoga! So beneficial! So as a teacher I want to be persuasive....without having to persuade. The yoga needs to speak for itself and the teacher needs to engage the student.......When thinking about the purpose of rhetoric I continue to return to the underlying aspects of reality that prompt the use of rhetoric.
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