When I think of a situation in which someone is speaking or writing in a rhetoric way, I believe them to be speaking or writing in a persuasive or convincing fashion. I think writing in a rhetoric way means trying to impress an audience. Although, sometimes trying to sound impressive can make someone forget important details that help the readers understand the argument. It is important to focus on quality of communication above all else. I found it strange that the website we were supposed to explore used so many nature-related metaphors, such as comparing rhetoric to a forest. I’m not sure the metaphors necessarily made the website’s point more clear, but it was definitely creative. The site’s overall definition came down to rhetoric being described as the study of effective speaking and writing. It mentioned that rhetoric is about being persuasive and it has many other attributes.
The website mentioned Aristotle quite a bit, which was all extremely relevant because of his appeals about speaking and writing in a persuasive manner. Aristotle wasn’t the only historical mention on the site. I read several pages comparing rhetoric to renaissance times, and ancient Greek and Roman education. It has been used for centuries to train and discipline students in writing. The reason this is relevant is because even in those times, rhetoric was closely related to schooling just as it is today. Although, the study of rhetoric has immensely changed an evolved since those times and has become a more complicated and sophisticated study.
I found it helpful that this website broke rhetoric down into five categories: invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. With the idea of rhetoric being broken down this way, it is almost like a template. This is how the website can be related to They Say, I Say. Using these categories to organize writing is similar to using a template in They Say, I Say in order to make an argument in a way that makes sense.
Many people define rhetoric as being overly concerned about appearance and style, and not concerned enough with the quality of the content. This website called this a common misconception. In a way, it was explained that if someone is writing only for appearance, they aren't doing it right.
Overall, I agree with the websites definition of rhetoric, though I would think the it would have mentioned more about figures of speech. There were a few things mentioned about figures of speech. I assumed there would be more information about figures of speech on a website about rhetoric and I even expected it to be mentioned somewhere in the definition. This information is very helpful when writing a rhetoric or persuasive themed essay. It is also helpful when making ant kind of argument, in speech or in writing. When a writer is arguing their side of a debate, tips and information from this website would greatly help in getting the readers or an audience to agree with them.
Burton, Gideon. "The Forest of Rhetoric." Silva Rhetoricae. Brigham Young University, n.d. Fri. 4 Sept. 2015. <http://rhetoric.byu.edu>
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and I completely agree with your opinion of the website. I noticed all the historical references as well, but didn't put much thought into it at first. However, now I can see how all the references to Aristotle and the renaissance may be there to show how rhetoric is a foundation that has always existed in some way. I think that helps stress how critical rhetoric is in writing.
ReplyDeleteYour relation to They Say, I Say was exceptional and the references to the historical points within Dr. Burton's text validate the meaning behind the use of rhetoric. However, I suggest you expand on the five canons of rhetoric. Explain what they are or how they are used, this will insure the audience knows how and why it relates to Graff's book.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your connection between They Say, I Say's templates and the "five canons" of rhetoric. When I read through the five canons, I could see exactly how they related to the templates and were really helpful in thinking out how to form an argument. I do agree with Kailyn above that it may be helpful to give examples of how the five canons can be used, or give an example argument and show how the five canons led you to form that argument in a well-thought-out manner.
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