Lecture Notes: Rhetorical Listening and Communication

Introduction

• Key Question: What is the most underused tool for great communication?
  • Hint: Involves ears, not mouth.
• Core Idea: Best rhetorical moves are from listening, not speaking.

Concept of Rhetorical Listening

• Listening Rhetorically: Specific process, not just biological.
  • Critical for effective communication.
• Common Misconceptions:
  • Listening is passive, reflexive.
  • Often used only to respond, not understand.

Cultural and Historical Context

• Cultural Issues:
  • Current culture teaches listening to respond, not to understand.
• Historical Rhetoric:
  • Greek and Roman traditions neglected listening.
  • Manuals treated audiences as static.

What Rhetorical Listening Is

• Deeper Definition:
  • Invention process to understand another's perspective.
  • Helps achieve a rounded perspective.
• Complexity:
  • As discussed by Wayne Booth and Krista Ratcliffe.

Wayne Booth and Krista Ratcliffe's Theories

• Wayne Booth's Deep Listening:
  • Removes misunderstandings.
  • Pursues new reality, not just victory.
• Krista Ratcliffe's Rhetorical Listening:
  • Builds understanding actively.
  • Involves ethical responsibility.

Application in Rhetoric

• Rhetorical Triangle:
  • More like a dynamic trapezoid in real conversation.
  • Author and audience roles are fluid.
• Ethos, Pathos, Logos:
  • All require understanding the audience.

Implementation in Communication

• Listening Roles in Rhetoric:
  • Audience history, genre response, setting variation.
  • Understanding the purpose of dialogue.

Parallax View Metaphor

• Parallax in Vision:
  • Different perspectives can alter perception.
• Application in Communication:
  • Both perspectives are essential for full understanding.

Comparison: Regular vs. Rhetorical Listening

• Regular Listening: Evidence gathering.
• Rhetorical Listening: Understanding narratives, being diplomatic, broadening perspective.

Practical Steps for Rhetorical Listening

• Listen to Understand:
  • Avoid finding faults, seek perspective.
• Ask Generous Questions:
  • Encourage dialogue.
• Promote Inclusive Dialogue:
  • Invite quiet voices.

Conclusion

• Transformative Listening:
  • Opens negotiation and affects beliefs.
• Essential for effective, ethical communication.