Note: Last year we asked our senior majors to reflect on the meaning of Rhetoric. We asked this year’s seniors to do the same thing. Over the next few days we will post some of their responses.

            Rhetoric can be seen as “the vast backdrop of our lives,” considering that it is bound to no specific set of institutions, but it is also a distinct and separate field of study. Thus, from my perspective, the true meaning of rhetoric lies somewhere in between Fleming’s descriptions of “Big Rhetoric” and “Little Rhetoric.”  In his essay “Rhetoric as a Course of Study,” David Fleming (1998) has defined rhetoric as “the study of speaking and writing well, a historically prominent and remarkably consistent program of instruction involving both theory and practice and aimed at the moral and intellectual development of the student” (p. 172).  This definition describes rhetoric as a study quite well and the long-term goal of that study, Fleming (1998) continues, “is the development of a certain kind of person: engaged, articulate, resourceful, sympathetic, civil—a person trained in, conditioned by, and devoted to what was once called eloquence” (pp. 172-73).  In other words, the underlying goal of rhetorical study is to build character, and moreover, to become a “good citizen.”

            Rhetoric is a tool, an acquirable virtue that can be taught, learned, and mastered through extensive study and practice.  As a practice, rhetoric involves using symbols, usually language, to accomplish more specific, immediate or short-term goals, whether it is to inform, persuade, or simply communicate ideas.  There is one aspect of rhetoric which Fleming’s definition does not touch upon: the idea of rhetoric as an art. That being said, Herrick (2005) also offers a useful definition of rhetoric.  “Rhetoric is intentionally fashioned discourse, and the art of rhetoric has developed around the activity of crafting discourse to achieve various effects including persuasion, clarity, and beauty of expression” (p. 15).  In order for rhetorical discourse to be most effective, regardless of a rhetor’s goals, it must be planned, adapted to an audience, shaped by human motives, responsive to a situation, persuasion seeking, and concerned with contingent issues. 

In addition to rhetoric’s defining characteristics according to Herrick, I would add that rhetoric must be both practical and moral.  But perhaps the most important thing to recognize though is that rhetoric is power.  When used most effectively, rhetoric has an enormous impact on an audience and can influence individuals to think or act in ways very different than they would otherwise.  This is necessary in some cases and can be a very good thing when it is used to bring about collective thought or action for the betterment of society or used as a neutral tool to bring about agreement.  However, it can also be used unethically to achieve selfish ends.  This is why the study of rhetoric is so important, not just for potential rhetors, but for the audience as well.  Everyone ought to be able to recognize this power and act accordingly. 

Works Cited

Fleming, David.  “Rhetoric as a Course of Study.” College English 61 (1998): 169-91.

Herrick, James A.  The History and Theory of Rhetoric. 3^rd Ed.  Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2005.