Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Blog #5
In William Covino and David Joliffe’s “What is Rhetoric,” various definitions of rhetoric are provided in order to shape and enumerate the various stances rhetoric has been interpreted as in its function and utilization. It may be considered a culmination of effects that the reader experience as an active or inactive participant, as well as the multifarious factors that are presented when addressing a rhetorical situation or discourse. There are various elements of rhetoric that may be applied to a variety of modes of communication, discourse and writing. The rhetorical situation, audience, proofs, and the five canons of rhetoric (invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery) all compose the basic elements of rhetoric. Emphasis is placed on the intention of the author and how the author relates the material to the overall message. Incorporating all techniques and functions within rhetoric aid in the process of deduction and categorizing in order to ensure all characteristics are accounted for. I enjoyed reading the article and it allowed me to have a greater grasp of the rhetorical creation process and therefore reveals the necessary components that will be utilized within the EWM major.
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I think you are right in that Covino and Joliffe's definitions of rhetoric provide deep insight into the rhetorical creation process and will help better understand the EWM major. The five canons of rhetoric seem necessary in thoroughly grasping the concept of rhetorical stance and discourse.
ReplyDeleteI did, however, also find this work to be somewhat of a miserable read. While it was not as thick with pretentious vocabulary, it was difficult to relate to for a student studying rhetoric in the 21st century. The second part of the work about the five rhetorical canons was easier for me to follow because the sections were better divided. Do you understand what exactly rhetorical discourse is? Because I do not. Is it the response to a rhetorical stance, like the reaction?