Rhetorical Criticism

Foss states that the definition of rhetoric doesnt mean empty, bombastic language that has no substance. (3) Rhetoric actually is defined as the human use of symbols to communicate. This definition has three basic examples. First example states that humans are the creaters of rhetoric because the symbols we use today were created by us. (4) Second example states symobls as the medium for rhetoric, which means a symbol is something that stands for something else like a picture or a word, or even a phrase. Foss had gvien a few example of symbols one was smoke. (4) Smoke stands for fire which means fire is present. Not all symbols have a meanings behind it. For instance a speaker could be for a computer or a car. If you see a picture of it everyone thinks diffrent things. Or as Foss had mentioned a tree could mean a forest but everyone thinks otherwise. (6) Rhetoric usually involves symbols that get people to communicate with each other. The third example Foss had given was communication as the purpose of rhetoric. Communication as the purpose of rhetoric simply means that symbols are used for communication with others or oneself. (5) Basically this means when you talk to people you use symbols to start the conversation. The way we express things, look at things also is a meaning of rhetoric. Rhetoric Critisim on the other hand is the explanation of symbolic acts and artifacts to understand the processes of rhetoric. (6) Rhetoric criticism also has three examples behind it. First example of rhetoric criticisim is the systematic analysis as the act of criticisim which means when we use symbols in conversations we choose whether we like them or not and explain why we do or don't. (7) Second example is the acts and artifacts as the object of criticisim. An act is a speech or a musical performance that is done infront of an audience. Most people rather study the artifact of an act, which is the text, trace or tangible evidence of the act. (7) When a rhetorical act is copyed and printed, posted on a Web site, recorded on film, or painted, makes it accessible to a bigger audience. Third example of rhetoric criticism is understanding rhetorical process as the purpose of criticism. This process begins with an interest in understanding particular symbols and how they operate. (7) As an example given in the text if a friend never returns your phone calls , or e-mails you come to the conclusion that the friendship is over. (8)


Rhetoric: the study of the effective use of language
Rhetoric: the art of making persuasive speeches ; oratory