Overview
This lecture explains how to select and analyze rhetorical artifacts, situate them in historical context, use rhetorical methods, and evaluate their impact on democratic principles.
Selecting Rhetorical Artifacts
- A rhetorical artifact is a specific instance of rhetoric produced by a rhetor for an audience at a particular time.
- Artifacts can include speeches, ads, songs, social media posts, works of art, films, and more.
- Choose an artifact that addresses a significant community concern or public issue.
Distinguishing Artifacts from Topics
- An artifact is a concrete example (e.g., a sermon, billboard, or video), not a general topic or subject.
- The artifact should attempt to influence public perception or action regarding a civic issue.
Situating Artifacts in Historical Context
- Context includes the conditions or situation in which rhetoric was produced (social, political, financial, etc.).
- To establish context, answer: Who, Why, What, To Whom, When, and Where.
- Identifying audiences includes direct, target, implied, and implicated groups.
Researching Context
- Use reliable news sources, opinion sources, books, scholarly articles, and official websites to learn about context.
- Knowing historical context deepens understanding of an artifact's functions and influence.
Using Rhetorical Methods
- A rhetorical method is a specific lens or approach for analyzing an artifact (e.g., focusing on metaphors, myths, or gender).
- Methods guide analysis by highlighting certain features and shaping interpretation.
Evaluating Impact on Democracy
- Evaluation means judging an artifact's functions and consequences, especially regarding democratic principles.
- Democratic principles include participation, equality, tolerance, open debate, press freedom, accountability, and rule of law.
- Artifacts may strengthen or weaken democracy based on alignment with these principles.
Considerations for Evaluation
- Always consider the artifact's specific historical context and community.
- An artifact can support democratic principles even if its ideology differs from your own.
- The rhetor's conscious motive is not the sole determinant of democratic impact.
- An artifact's success (achieving goals) may not reflect its democratic value.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rhetorical artifact — a specific instance of rhetoric created for an audience at a given moment.
- Context — the social, political, or cultural circumstances surrounding the creation of an artifact.
- Rhetor — the creator or author of a rhetorical artifact.
- Rhetorical method — a focused approach to analyze rhetorical artifacts.
- Demagogue — a leader who uses rhetoric to gain power by appealing to emotions and division.
- Demagoguery — rhetoric that undermines democracy by prioritizing personal or group gain over public good.
- Democratic principles — standards necessary for democratic governance, such as equality, participation, and accountability.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Identify and select a rhetorical artifact that addresses a public matter.
- Research the artifact’s historical context using the six guiding questions (Who, Why, What, To Whom, When, Where).
- Prepare to analyze the artifact using an appropriate rhetorical method.
- Evaluate the artifact's impact on democratic principles for your analysis assignment.