Blog #1

According to Foss, rhetoric is “… an art and a discipline that facilitates our understanding of the nature and function of symbols in our lives.” (1) In other words, symbols play a major role in human life and these symbols affect the choices that we make. Foss states that the definition of rhetoric is made up of three parts, which are human, symbol and communicate (1). The “human” aspect deals with the idea that “humans create their realities through symbols.” (2) Foss believes that these symbols change and influence our perceptions of specific events that occur in our lives. The next concept is “symbols” which a word represents something else and is related to that “something else” in some way. In An Introduction to Rhetoric Foss, Foss, and Trapp use the example of smoke in relation to fire (2). The third and final component is communication, where rhetoric is sometimes considered synonymous with this term.

I believe that rhetoric is the way people communicate via symbols, expressions and word associations. Foss states that “rhetoric features the use of symbols by humans” and I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. At first I really did not know what the term meant, but now I see that the different symbols found in human life that can be considered as “rhetoric”. I also feel that the usage of these symbols is a great way for people to communicate with one another. Personally, rhetoric can be seen in everyday life if one looks closely. For example, logging onto Facebook can be considered a symbol that shows boredom and procrastination. Another example would be the oven. When one thinks of the word “oven” they automatically associate it with cooking and it is then further associated to food. Therefore, the term “oven” symbolizes food. A final example could be seen throughout fairytales, Disney movies and current books such as Harry Potter. The image of a wand symbolizes magic and one usually associates the two with one another.

Definitions:

A. Rhetoric:

1: the art of speaking or writing effectively: as

a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times

b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion

2 a: skill in the effective use of speech

b: a type or mode of language or speech; also : insincere or grandiloquent language

3: verbal communication : discourse

B. Rhetoric:

1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.

2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.

3. the study of the effective use of language.

4. the ability to use language effectively.

5. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.

6. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.

7. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.

8. (in older use) a work on rhetoric.

Works Cited

1. Foss, Foss, and Trapp. Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric, Third Edition. Washington: Waveland Press, Inc.

2. “Rhetoric.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 1 Feb. 2010.

< http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rhetoric>.

3. “Rhetoric.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010. Merriam-Webster Online. 1 February 2010
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Rhetoric>