The Learning Hub What is ? Writing Handout Series Rhetorical Concepts

In today’s media, we often hear terms like “divisive rhetoric” or “bad rhetoric,” which often gives a negative perception of rhetoric even if someone may not understand what it exactly is. At its core, it’s a term that has its roots dating back to ancient Greece. Back then, they focused on persuasion techniques and speech rather than written text. Now, rhetoric encompasses not only speeches and written works, but also visual such as images and film.

To this day, scholars are still debating the definition of rhetoric and everything it incorporates. Below is The Learning Hub’s working definition of rhetoric, which explains how it can improve your writing and also the world around you.

What is Rhetoric: A Working Definition

• Rhetoric is the way in which you communicate in The Rhetorical Situation everyday life. These can be persuasive in nature and can be made of text, images, video, or any other type of media.

• Rhetoric requires an understanding and control of and knowledge of culture, the rhetorical situation (pictured on the right, which includes the purpose, audience, topic, writer, and context), genre, and other aspects to achieve an intended purpose. In many cases, rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) can also contribute to this intended purpose.

Why is Rhetoric Important?

• Since everyone can use rhetoric, an awareness of its prevalence can be empowering and can help you become a more critical consumer and creator.

• It helps you as a writer and reader understand the different and interrelated influences surrounding your writing and how it will be received and interpreted.

• Rhetoric gives you a framework to think critically about your writing and choices.

• Knowing how to use the tools of rhetoric can improve your and can help more people to agree with your perspective.

• Rhetoric is a careful way of channeling your creative energies and incorporating written/visual/audio compositions to create, affirm, and improve the world around us.

On the next page, we will look at a tweet to demonstrate how these features can be rhetorically analyzed. When conducting a rhetorical analysis, generally writers are asked to examine how a particular message is conveyed. This means looking at different aspects or parts of the media to determine the intended effect on the audience.

Last Edited: 7/12/2017 [email protected] | (217) 206-6503 By: AA BRK 460 | www.uis.edu/thelearninghub #thehub

Analyzing a Tweet from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Twitter Page

TONE AND AUDIENCE

The term “SanFranHam” speaks to ADDITIONAL RESOURCES the more casual nature of Twitter The link to the YouTube and is directly addressing an video allows viewers to audience familiar with the Hamilton learn more about the musical’s updates and shows. contest while still adhering to the 140 character limit.

PURPOSE

When Miranda talks about seeing Hamilton with his parents, he is building a more personal relationship with his followers as he invites them to join his family. Literally.

COMPOSITION

The center framing and natural lighting puts all focus PURPOSE WARDROBE CHOICES on him, and his casual, easy half-smile is welcoming and “Did you miss me?!” Expresses Miranda’s Hamilton shirt a bit goofy, which appeals to enthusiasm, but also hints that if is a purposeful choice to an audience interested in Miranda is followed on these platforms, advertise the show in learning more about him. more contest opportunities may addition to the contest. become available since this is not the first time a contest has been offered.

Rhetoric is everywhere and is a way to enact change in your world; however, it takes practice to recognize and use rhetoric. Check out our linked resources to learn more about using rhetoric as a tool in your everyday life. Remember—rhetoric can be a catalyst for change in your world and the lives of people in it, but it is up to you whether or not to harness this power.

Miranda, Lin-Manuel. “Win tickets to see SanFranHam opening night with my parents. They are fun…” Twitter, 2 Mar. 2017, twitter.com/Lin_Manuel/ status/837363185518854145.

Last Edited: 7/12/2017 [email protected] | (217) 206-6503 By: AA, SC BRK 460 | www.uis.edu/thelearninghub #thehub