Lecture on Rhetorical Analysis

Introduction to Rhetoric

• Definition: Rhetoric is the art of effective communication.
• Understanding Effective Communication:
  • Choices: Communicators make choices in how they present their message.
  • Effects: These choices have varying effects on different audiences.

Examples of Rhetorical Choices and Effects

• Restaurant Scenario:
  • Waiter wears an offensive t-shirt.
  • Paint color in the bathroom affects the restaurant's ambiance.
• Hardware Store:
  • Repetitive jingle intended as advertising but perceived negatively.
• Speech Delivery:
  • Choices in speech content, presentation, and vocal style affect audience reception.
• Writing:
  • Choices in organization, tone, and style impact effectiveness.

Study of Rhetoric

• Focus: Analyzing the effectiveness of communication choices.
• Context: The situation in which communication is delivered influences its effectiveness.

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

• Rhetorical Situation:
  • Define the context of the communication (audience, purpose, genre).
  • Importance of context in judging effectiveness (e.g., T-shirt appropriateness differs by setting).
• Analyzing Choices:
  • Identify choices made by the communicator (e.g., vocal tone, organization, persuasion methods).
  • Discuss choices that are interesting or significant to the analysis audience.

Discussing Effects

• Impact on Audience:
  • Analyze the effects of communicative choices on different audience segments.
  • Effects may vary: positive for some, negative or neutral for others.

Structure and Organization

• Flexibility:
  • The order of discussing choices and effects can vary.
  • The author controls the narrative and emphasis of the analysis.

Conclusion

• Goal: Highlight interesting and relevant aspects of the communication.
• Personal Judgement: The analyst's perspective on the effectiveness of rhetorical communication.

These notes summarize the key points discussed in the lecture about rhetorical analysis, providing insight into evaluating communicative effectiveness through the study of choices and their impacts on audiences.