Rhetoric Notes

To put it simply, rhetoric is the way humans interact with one another with all the tools at their disposal, from spoken and written language to image production and physical activities. This human interaction includes transmitting information, persuading, and advocating, and ceremonial acts. For example, rhetorical theorist Walter Fisher looks at the way stories function as arguments and include bases for reasoning that can inform, persuade, or advocate in a way many people can understand.

Rhetoric also has a powerful capacity for good and ill in society. History is a compilation of epic accounts of how rhetoric can be used to enslave and to liberate, to control and to inspire. Because humans - and the way we understand and respond to messages - are a key concern of rhetoric, people in power - like Hitler - have used it to rally hate for an entire group of people, the Jews, while leaders such as JFK or Ronald Reagan summoned it to uplift a people and convince them they can do things they never thought possible.

To combat the ills of rhetoric, more rhetoric is required. The utility of studying rhetoric is that it trains the mind to recognize how different messages can influence, sometimes deceptively, even well-educated and inquisitive people. So if everyone is exposed to the ways human interactions can influence thought and actions we would all be prepared to recognize and reject the ills of rhetoric. 

Gary James '10

What is rhetoric?:

Rhetoric, in my opinion, is the art of argumentation and persuasion.  On the one hand, rhetoric enables one to know the proper techniques and skills necessary to be an effective public speaker (delivery, tone, etc.) while it also enables one to learn the most effective way to persuade one's audience (establishing credibility, ethos, logos, pathos, etc.). Rhetoric also teaches one how to analyze a given artifact, break it down, and interpret the meaning and aim of the artifact in addition to stating the effectiveness of one's rhetorical methods.

What is the potential of rhetoric for good and ill in human society?: 

Rhetoric can unfortunately be manipulated for ill as well as for good in human society.  History has shown us time and time again that rhetoric can and will be used in all aspects for the sole purpose to persuade an audience towards the speaker's point of view.  We have seen genius rhetorical speakers spread positions of peace such as Martin Luther King Jr. and we have also seen rhetoric being used to manipulate followers into evil actions like that of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi's.

What is the best response to the use of rhetoric by evil sources?

In my opinion, the only thing that can beat a solid rhetorical argument is a BETTER rhetorical argument.  That is really the only true way to beat someone else's argument.  By finding the holes in one's argument and having a solid and firm refutation, you may be able to open the eyes of those being led astray by the "evil sources."

Charles Goodman '10

Posted by David Timmerman at 03:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jim Amidon — Rhetoric Professor Todd McDorman asked me to swing by the Caleb Mills House on Tuesday night to take a few pictures of the senior rhetoric majors at a banquet that both honored the seniors and welcomed the Brigance Forum Lecturers Robert Hariman and John Louis Lucaites.

I sat quietly in the corner waiting for dinner to conclude, but listening to the lively conversations the students were having with their invited guests, as well as familiar faces like Joe and Bev O’Rourke, Vic and Marion Powell, and Jack Oest, William Norwood Brigance’s grandson.

When dinner concluded, Professor David Timmerman welcomed everyone to the living room and, alternating with Professor McDorman, talked about the accomplishments of the six seniors who majored in rhetoric.

What a remarkable group.

Three of them — Josh Gangloff, Pat Long, and Dan Masterson — were members of the Wabash football team which set an all-time record for most wins (40) and won three straight North Coast Athletic Conference titles.

Gangloff, a fierce nose tackle on the football team, is a soft-spoken leader whose Christian outreach has extended as far as Botswana and as close as the young people at Pleasant View Baptist Church here in Crawfordsville. Gangloff will pursue a master’s degree in divinity upon graduation, while working in his family’s business.

Masterson, while not the stars of the team like Long and Gangloff, minored in theater. He appeared in two main stage productions and in the Studio One-Acts. I’ll most remember Dan for his gripping performance as a dirty cop in the spring ’09 production of The Pillowman.

In addition to an amazing senior project for his rhetoric major, Derek Hickerson also spent last summer working on a “Know Indiana” research project with Professor Timmerman. Hickerson’s original research focused on James Matthew Townsend, Indiana’s third elected African American legislator. Hickerson researched the legislation Townsend authored to repeal Indiana’s “Black Laws.” And though Townsend’s bill was voted down, a year later a similar bill passed through the Indiana legislature.

Matt Dodaro, star baseball player, also is a rhetoric major. I’ve taken a couple hundred photographs of Matt diving for ground balls from his position at shortstop and crossing the plate after smashing a home run onto Jennison Street. I never knew he was a rhetoric major until last night, nor did I realize that he’s started every single baseball game during his four-year Wabash career.

Finally, the professors paid tribute to Grant Gussman, whom I did know was a rhetoric major. I knew that he won the famed Baldwin Oratorical Contest. I knew he had won both state and national titles in forensics. But I didn't know Grant was, perhaps, the most decorated forensics student in recent history.

I also learned that Grant finished his course work in December and has been coaching a speech and debate team back home. Beginning this summer, Grant will begin training for the Teach for America program and he’ll spend the next two years working at a high school in New Orleans. Teaching science!

The evening concluded when the professors presented Gussman with the Joseph O’Rourke Prize, which honors the outstanding senior rhetoric major. It was a touching occasion to see the expressions of pride and joy on the faces of Joe and Bev O’Rourke, seated closely to their dear friends — Jack Oest and the Powells.

And it was clear from his expression that Gussman, too, was honored to receive the prize named in honor of a legendary speech and rhetoric professor.

I did end up snapping the photo of the six senior majors on the front porch of the Caleb Mills House. But I left with a terrific feeling about the accomplishments of the seniors and the potential for greatness they have — as teachers, lawyers, ministers, and representatives of Wabash College.

Posted by Todd McDorman at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)