Judith Cooley Cook Intro to RPW WA1 12/05/2013 Re-examining what is Rhetoric

Looking back on the first writing assignment its apparent that my perception of rhetoric was very narrow. It appeared as though rhetoric was effective speaking and writing, a small easy definition. However, now it is clear that rhetoric encompasses a wide range of communication, whether we intend to persuade in a specific situation or not. Rhetoric is being used everywhere by everyone. For example people use rhetorical skills in songs, in social media updates, in informal work emails and teaching children right from wrong. Rhetoric is the term for the skills developed to affectively communicate, but what some people, including myself three months ago, do not understand is they use rhetoric all the time, intentionally and un-intentionally. When speech writers compose speech they consider their audience, the writers plan to connect with the audience using Aristotles three forms of rhetorical appeals: emotionally, logically and ethically. A speech needs to grab the audiences attention in order to make an impact; the best way to do this is connecting emotionally. Telling a story, opening with a joke, reciting a poem are all ways to entice the listener. A writer needs to arrange their speech logically so the audience can follow the message clearly. Building a sense of credibility is essential in delivering a speech. If the audience has misgivings about the speaker the message is disregarded. As mentioned earlier social media updates like posts on Facebook and Tweets on Twitter as well as lyrics in songs and emails to co-workers use rhetoric to make and argument. Song lyrics, emails

and speeches all have the intent to persuade, and have logical thought behind it before releasing the work to the public. Although the same can be said for the occasional Facebook post or Tweet most of the time it is not the case; these sites are more devoted to personal updates and opinions. The peculiar thing about the sites being personal outlets is that those forms of expression are also representing rhetorical skills. When a person receives multiple comments on a post they have communicated well and presented an argument strongly. Rhetoric is a natural ability, and parents are a wonderful representation for this point. Parents realize that everything they do is an example for their children, which in its self is rhetoric, example is communication. Do parents realize though that in almost every lesson they present a rhetorical argument? For example, Joey do not touch the stove, its hot. They are engaging the child directly, giving a command and giving a reason for the command. Joey would most likely remember his parents told him to stay away from the stove because its hot. Strong skills regarding communicating are both inherent and developed. The opinion that rhetoric is a powerful tool, and can be used deceitfully is shared by many from the ancient Greeks, to John Locke, all the way to modern day. In the days of the ancient Greeks sophists would enlighten their followers and create new thinkers. The problem then was communities did not want trifle matters pondered over; the only good part of rhetoric was the ability to state a case for their farms, or roads or even military activities. Looking to a modern day example, the presidential elections are littered with broken promises, and disturbing new initiatives. Without the use of effective rhetoric these promises would have never been taken to heart, and the opportunity to change platforms would not be allowed, because the candidate would not have been elected. Rhetoric is a not a narrow subject or a mini set of skills, so it is sensible that no formal definition has been assigned, but we all agree that rhetoric is the art of effectively communicating. What most

people do not expect is that they are employing rhetoric in everyday life situations. Whenever we communicate we are making some sort of argument intentionally and un-intentionally. Rhetoric as a desired skill can be strengthened, and used to manipulate or inspire, the power is in the delivery, and the choice is ever present.