Rhetoric Lecture Notes

Introduction to Rhetoric

• Definition and Misconceptions
  • Rhetoric often misunderstood as political BS, empty style, persuasive tactics, etc.
  • True rhetoric involves understanding human interaction and meaning-making.

Rhetoric as a Concept

• Principles of Rhetoric
  • Guides human communication and interaction.
  • Helps understand how people perceive truth and make meaning of the world.
• Comparison to Gravity
  • Like gravity, rhetoric is both a set of principles and the interaction itself.
  • Functions as an operating system for human interaction.

Importance of Rhetoric

• Pervasiveness
  • Rhetoric is present in all human interaction.
  • Cannot communicate without it; it is essential for making meaning.
• Applications
  • Helps in persuasive speech, understanding experiences, creating effective communication.

Biological and Symbolic Roots

• Role of the Body
  • Communication is largely nonverbal; involves bodily signals.
  • Interpretation of these signals forms the basis of rhetoric.
• Symbolism
  • Language and everyday symbols are crucial for meaning-making.

Principles of Human Interaction

• Motivation
  • Rhetoric is driven by motives that shape interaction.
• Ecology
  • Rhetorical interaction occurs within an ecological context; involves multiple actors and influences.
• Exigence and Kairos
  • Exigence: Need for communication to occur.
  • Kairos: Timing and external circumstances affect communication.

Rhetorical Knowledge Making

• Narrative
  • Humans understand and communicate through storytelling.
• Rhetorical Appeals
  • Logos: Logical reasoning.
  • Pathos: Emotional connection.
  • Ethos: Credibility of the speaker.
• Value and Mythos
  • Communication is driven by values and cultural narratives (mythos).

Identification and Credibility

• Building Identification
  • Rhetors aim to build identification with their audience.
  • Ethos is key: expertise, character, goodwill.

The Canons of Rhetoric

• Five Canons
  • Invention: Developing content.
  • Arrangement: Structuring content.
  • Style: Expressing content.
  • Memory: Retaining and organizing content.
  • Delivery: Presenting content.

Conclusion

• Rhetoric is complex and interconnected.
• Key terms: Situated, motivated, contingent, interactional, epistemic, embodied.