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Defining Rhetoric

Defining Rhetoric. John Lauckner. Rundown. How I think about rhetoric Some of reasons that I think that way Give my definition Reinforce why I think it is a good definition . Rhetoric. Rhetoric is a nominalist term We have abstract ideas about rhetoric, but no universal term

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Defining Rhetoric

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  1. Defining Rhetoric John Lauckner

  2. Rundown • How I think about rhetoric • Some of reasons that I think that way • Give my definition • Reinforce why I think it is a good definition

  3. Rhetoric • Rhetoric is a nominalist term • We have abstract ideas about rhetoric, but no universal term • Rhetoric is often about the people • Who has power • Rhetoric is often about achieving a goal(s) • Making my definition of rhetoric good • Persuading • Arguing • Informing

  4. Rhetoric is a game • Rhetoric is about understandingexisting systems • “Language is created by the individual speech artist, but it is determined by the fact that the taste of the many makes choices” – Nietzsche • Understanding the “taste of the many” is what makes rhetoric a game • If you want to be good language/rhetoric you have to appeal to others

  5. What is a game? A Game has the following: • Participants • Structure/Rules • Goals • Outcomes • So does rhetoric fit the parameters for a game?

  6. Winning the Game • Rhetoric the game has the following: • Participants (Me, You, communities, cultures, etc.) • Structure/Rules (power) • Goals (be a good rhetorician) • Outcomes (win/lose, persuade/dissuade, etc. • The structure and rules may not always be clear, but I think of the “taste of the many” is good starting place

  7. Who Creates the Structure? • Short Answer: Important people (not me) • Long Answer: Throughout the class we have seen how power influences the kind of people who (can) practice rhetoric, what that rhetoric consists of (rhetorical value), and what is trying to be achieved (goal). • For example: Locke Rhetoric= Men (who) + eloquence (R value) + consistent language (goal)

  8. Rhetoric the Game Continued • The game happens when you start trying to understand the system • Who is in charge? • What is the goal? • What are the outcomes? • Can I cheat the system? • This is what interests me about rhetoric, becoming informed to inform.

  9. The preface to my definition • This semester has taught me to think of rhetoric in nomialist terms • Think of rhetoric as “moving parts”, not concrete • Often think about rhetoric in terms of outcome

  10. So what about my definition? Rhetoric is using appropriate means to communicate effectively

  11. So Why is my Definition Good? • The words appropriate and effective are subjective • More concerned with teaching that rhetoric has “moving parts” • Show the large scope of rhetoric • Speaking • Visuals • Written • Non-alphabetic texts

  12. The end

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