Chapter Twelve – Rhetorical Communication PDF

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Chapter Twelve – Rhetorical Communication Chapter Learning Outcomes • Describe some of the key issues in rhetorical communication • Identify cultural and social influences on the development of rhetoric • Identify and define the three artistic proofs of ethos, pathos, and logos • Explain four functions of rhetoric: reaffirming cultural values, increasing democratic participation, securing justice, and promoting social change • Understand the ethical issues facing rhetors and audience members • Identify the basic steps in preparing a speech The Importance of Rhetoric • Rhetoric’s three main functions in society o Helps strengthen democratic societies o Helps people pursue justice o Helps people clarify their own beliefs and actions • The advantages of studying rhetoric o Understand viewpoints surrounding social issues o Understand cultures o Critically evaluate and respond to persuasive messages o Become better communicators o Becoming a rhetorical critic § An informed consumer of rhetorical discourse prepared to analyze rhetorical texts § Rhetorical criticism is a method for generating knowledge about rhetoric Truth and Rhetoric • Sophists o Persuasive speaking skills o Seen as unethical in today’s environment • Plato o Rejected the relativist approach o Rhetoric to search for universal principles of truth • Aristotle o Skillful persuasion needed to defend truth and justice • Cicero o Greatest Roman orator o Use rhetoric for the public good o Identified the three purposes of public speaking • Augustine o Represented the Catholic Church’s though o Rhetoric used to impart the divine truth o Inform, persuade, and entertain

What is Rhetoric? A Broader View • Definition of rhetoric varies based upon o The person offering the definition o The historical period in which the definition is offered • Every rhetor holds a social position o Determines his/her right to speak or access civic speaking spaces o Varies across cultures The Rhetor: Rhetoric’s Point of Origin • Ethos o Aristotle considered the most important o Rhetors project a persona • Pathos o Using emotions to affect the audience • Logos o General reasoning or argumentation • Social position o Comes from society’s structure • Rhetorical audience o A narrow perspective o Audiences are fragmented Four Functions of Rhetoric • Reaffirming cultural values • Increasing democratic participation • Securing justice • Promoting social change Reaffirming Cultural Values • Rhetorical events • Epideictic rhetoric • Reaffirms cultural values Increasing Democratic Participation • Deliberate rhetoric o What a society should do in the future o Focuses on the public sphere Securing Justice • Forensic rhetoric o Sets things right after an injustice o Negotiate ideas about what is “just” and “unjust” o Changes with time § Examples: views on slavery, women’s rights

Promoting Social Change • Rhetorical events can prompt social change • Social movement o Messages embedded in the culture of times Ethics and Rhetoric • No set list of rules to guide ethical choices • Be aware of rhetor’s language • Notice ends or goals of rhetorical messages • Social media can shape rhetorical discussions Ethical Guidelines for Receivers of Communication • Be willing to listen to a range of perspectives • Speak out if you hear misinformation • Avoid being silenced by information overload • Listen critically to the rhetor • Speak our publicly if a rhetor demeans others • Fairly assess what you hear • Be willing to change your mind Understanding the Communication Event: The Synergetic Model • Step one: identify your general purpose o Informative speeches o Persuasive speeches o Evocative/special-occasion speeches • Step two: understanding your audience o What does the audience know about your topic? What do they want to know? o What do your listeners know about you? What do they need to know? o What expectations do your listeners have for the presentation? o Who are your audience members? Demographic analysis • Step three: selecting your topic o The communication event o Your interests o Your relationship to the communication event • Step four: identifying a specific purpose o What you would like to inform or persuade your audience about o Feelings you want to evoke

Researching and Organizing Your Presentation • Craft your thesis statement o Find supportive materials § Electronic sources § Examples § Print sources § Personal narratives § Personal sources § Visual aids § Statistics o Organizing your message § Choose an organizational pattern § Three to five main points § Divide main points into subpoints • Chronological pattern (timeline) • Spatial pattern (location) • Topical pattern (logical) • Problem-solution pattern (problem and solution) • Cause-effect pattern (event and ramifications) § Outlining your speech § Introduction, body, and conclusion • Signposts • Rehearsing and delivering your speech o Being aware of the time o Projecting a persona § Eye contact o Rehearsing your speech o Speech delivery and overcoming anxiety § Peak anxiety at beginning of speech § Speaking becomes easier with each speech

Basic Speech Structure • Introduction o Attention-getting step o Connection to audience o Thesis statement o Preview of main points o Transition to first point • First main point o Signpost your first point o Make your point (include supporting material) o Transition to your next point • Second main point o Signpost your second point o Make your point (include supporting material) o Transition to your next point • Third main point o Signpost your third point o Make your point (include supporting material) o Transition to conclusion • Conclusion o Review main points o Connect back to audience o Create a memorable conclusion...