DTC 355: Blog #1

According to Foss, Foss and Trapp rhetoric is defined as “the human use of symbols to communicate.” (1) Foss et al have broken down this definition into three parts consisting of “human”, “symbols” and “communicate.” They agree that humans are symbol-using animals that create realities through the use of symbols. That is to say, we as humans have the mental capacity and intelligence to assign meaning to symbols in order to communicate.

“Symbols are distinguished from signs by the degree of direct connection to the object represented.”(2) Foss, Foss and Trapp used the example of a tree. Standing alone in a forest a tree isn’t a symbol, but the word chosen to represent “tree” is a symbol. Likewise, the tree can be symbolic as is the case with a Christmas tree. “Rhetoric” is often easily interchangeable with the word “communication.” Foss, Foss and Trapp say the distinction between defining “rhetoric” and “communication” depends on the person, and whether the meaning of something is intended or not.

Even throughout the history of rhetoric, Foss et al reiterate that rhetoric is linked to education and literacy, indicating that humans and their use of symbols are essential to communication. It is an art incorporating the five canons of rhetoric: invention/discovery, organization, elocution or style, delivery and memory. Although there has been rhetoric has seen its share of evolution through time, it stands firm in its association with human, symbols, and communication.

Merriam-Webster dictionary online: (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetoric)
Definition of RHETORIC
1 : the art of speaking or writing effectively: as
a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times
b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
2 a : skill in the effective use of speech
b : a type or mode of language or speech; also : insincere or grandiloquent language
3: verbal communication : discourse

Answer.com: (http://www.answers.com/topic/rhetoric)
1. a. The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.
b. A treatise or book discussing this art.
2. Skill in using language effectively and persuasively.
3.a. A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject: fiery political rhetoric.
b. Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous: His offers of compromise were mere rhetoric.
4. Verbal communication; discourse.

I chose to include the expanded definitions given for rhetoric because I thought it was appropriate and conducive to our reading’s definition. Even in trying to explain Foss, Foss and Trapp’s definition of rhetoric I found it hard to just simplify it. The same applies to the definitions I found online. It isn’t a theory; it isn’t black or white. Rhetoric encompasses using the five canons. Words like “study”, “art”, “language”, “effective”, “communicate” all indicate a level of intelligence that accompanies the use of rhetoric. As Foss et al have described in their article, the art of rhetoric originates and requires education.