Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Rhetoric
Rhetoric has been the topic of discussion in our first two readings from Herrick and Aristotle. This term, rhetoric, though not often used today plays a major role in our every day lives. For students, the rhetoric used by professor often determines how interested we become in the particular subject being presented. Rhetoric is a key tool employed by motivational speakers, athletic coaches, military leaders, and politicians to rally individuals towards a particular feeling, effort, or cause. The authors of our texts both emphasize the persuasive character of rhetoric and how rhetoric alone can often influence the masses because of this dynamic. I believe that many would agree that the use of rhetoric played a vital role in the campaign of President Barack Obama for the 2008 presidential race. His eloquent and persuasive speaking ability alone allowed him to attract many votes even from stark Republican voters. I'm sure that everyone can think of at least one instance where they were persuaded by another's use of crafty rhetoric. Rhetoric is a key tool that should be studied by anyone wanting to be an effective leader, after all to be a leader one must first have others to lead, and rhetoric seems to be the tool of choice for attracting such a following.
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Tripp,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think if Barack Obama was not the great rhetorician that he is there is NO way he would have taken office. I think his current approval ratings reveal most of the things he has said to be empty rhetoric.
I have to agree with both of you. A leader attains his position as a leader by using rhetoric and convincing those around him that he is the person who should be leading. As we discussed in class, the use of pathos, ethos, and logos all lend a hand in rhetoric. We see the ethos (character) of the speaker as being good, so we listen. They use logos (information) to inform us, and pathos (emotion) to ultimately win us over to their side of the argument.
ReplyDeleteThat is what Barack Obama did, and he is now the leader of our nation. Shows you how rhetoric is such a powerful tool.
I will agree that Obama is a strong rhetor. He did not win hearts and minds by delving into details of what he hoped to do for the country with concrete numbers and facts. Facts don't need a rhetor to support them because they cannot be other than they are. He won hearts and minds by tapping into the emotions of the disenfranchised with the promise of one thing. CHANGE. A change from what? A change to what? It did not matter. He was perceived as a symbol of hope and prosperity.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of political inclination, my point is that being able to balance the emotions stirred by a strong rhetor with our reasoning capacities as intelligent beings is crucial when deciding what and who to believe. We must think for ourselves.
I agree with everything you said. The thought never crossed my mind before now that an athletic coach uses rhetoric. As an athelte, I can think of countless times this has happened between my coach/me/my team, but I never before thought that it was rhetoric. I just assumed it was my coach preforming his role. Apparently there is rhetoric in more parts of our lives than we realize!
ReplyDeleteVery true statements on the political aspect of rhetorical tools in speach giving. I was driving back from Columbia today, and since taking this class I have noticed that all along the highway, signs for resturaunts and other consumer goods all screamed out for me to visit by using witty rhetorical prose, vivid imagry or other persuasive methods. The use of rhetoric is definitly all around us in our daily lives....good thing too, because my coffee from McDonalds sure did fit the need the billboard suggested.
ReplyDeleteObamas speaking ability undoubtedly helped reiterate the issues that he backed extremely efficiently. Vice Versa to your point, his opponent, John Mccain and more specifically Sarah Palin's ability to speak, or lack there of, inhibited their ability to connect effectively to the audience that was voting.
ReplyDeleteYes, rhetoric was a big part of what helped Obama achieve victory. I don't like the guy, but when he gets up to speak, I can't help but sit there and listen. It's truly the sign of a great speaker when they can captivate the attention of those who dislike them.
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