Topic 1: The Rhetorical Situation

 Let’s Begin

                                          Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.

                                                                                                            -Plato

The first communication lens through which you shall be critically examining social issues and concerns in local and global contexts is Rhetoric.

 Public persuasive presentations have the potential to influence people to take concrete steps in addressing social problems. A speech presented in a social gathering, a video that went viral, or a lecture in class can so move the listeners that it results in a change in they way they think or act. What goes into a situation that allows for public persuasive presentations and discussions to take place? This section will provide you with an understanding of the rhetorical situation and its components. 

Learning Outcomes:

 After studying this section, you should be able to:

1. explain the importance of rhetoric in communication;
2. discuss the elements of a rhetorical situation; and
3. examine the use of rhetoric in the discourse around social issues.

 Read

Read Lloyd Bitzer’s (1968) essay on “The Rhetorical Situation.” 

 Think

1. What is Bitzer’s definition of a rhetorical situation?
2. What are the different aspects of a rhetorical situation?
3. Identify three top issues you encounter today or the past week that you think warrant rhetorical discourse?

 Dig deeper

 Condor, S., Tileaga, C., & Billig, M. (2013). Political Rhetoric.  In L. Huddy, D.

           Sears, & J. Levy  (Eds),  

 Oxford Handbook of Political Psychology (pp.262-297). Oxford University

          Press.

 Zappen, J. (2005). Toward an Integrated Theory. Technical Communication

           Quarterly,    14(3), pp. 319-325.