Rhetoric is an important aspect of any writing or speech. Analyzing rhetoric in a written work helps one have a deeper understanding of the piece. It also helps develop insight and create varied meanings from the same text. As a result, one text can have different interpretations and impacts depending on how the analyst focuses his work. Pathos, logos, and ethos are the major symbolic artifacts of discourse. The ability to speak or write in a persuasive, effective, and appealing manner, including the exploitation of the figures of speech, is what classifies a person, the speech or writing, and the influence such a work may have. Regardless of the weight of diction used and stylistic devices, if one cannot bring up a point so clearly, one will simply be talking and not communicating. Hence, other than the elements of rhetoric, one should be able to project the message clearly so that the audience can clearly understand what they intend to convey. Communicating is important in the social domain, as humans are social beings, and communication is one aspect of socialization.
In any speech or writing, one should be able to appeal to the audience. Presenting a logical appeal to the audience makes such a communicator outstanding and of status. Achieving logos in a written or spoken message may not be easily achievable by many, but it remains one of the most defining aspects of speech. However, as people get attracted to an appealing speaker or writer, they should be aware that such a person may lie to them without realizing it. It has happened more often than recorded situations where a person is deemed great and of much influence, leading the masses in the wrong direction. Famous people often take advantage of the trust that their followers have in them to achieve their selfish ambitions. This often happens with politicians and their supporters. An individual may make a proposal that may only benefit him and a few others while the majority are disadvantaged. Surprisingly, their convincing power enables them to deter the followers from taking a keen look into the idea. They end up following the wrong motive as proposed, not because they have the whole idea but because they have developed trust in the individual, and his social status gives him the advantage.
Influence comes from how one can appeal to the public and the audience using language. No person in time has ever used any means other than using language figuratively and persuasively to gain the trust of people. The question posed by Nietzsche on whether we use language or it is the language that uses us is a critical one that could spark a debate without an end (Nietzsche 5). However, it could widely be accepted that language is created and used by us, and there is no time that language has had control over the users. Different people around the world have been titled best speakers due to how they drive their concepts to the audience and use language appealingly to have the listeners buy their idea. The misinformation or misdirection is just one of the disadvantages of having people trust an individual, but that doesn’t mean the ability of one to present a logical appeal to his audience is detestable. Such an argument has led to the misunderstanding of the concept of rhetoric by assuming that it simply means persuasion (Foss and Cindy 2). Rhetoric is a wider spectrum of analysis of a speech or text that helps the audience get a better understanding and a more directed interpretation.
While appealing to the audience, the communicator should also ensure that they convey truthful and verifiable information and not use words appealingly to gain the masses. Rhetoric may sometimes lead to individuals believing with uncertainty (Scott 9). For a person to involve unverified information in the communication process, it may translate that they intentionally wanted to lure the audience,, which is an unscrupulous means. Such text has led to the general assumption and misunderstanding of rhetoric. Much as someone may gain influence for their eloquence or skill in speech, it is important to remain true and only use facts to convince their audiences lest they build on the general perception that rhetoric is persuasion hence the verifiability of the information conveyed may not be important, provided there is the convincing power.
In conclusion, rhetoric is an old art of civilization that remains relevant despite the many debates that revolve around its concept and understanding. Rhetoric is a vital tool in analyzing and understanding a text, giving different arguments and insights that, in the end, classify the quality and impact of the text. As various philosophers and scholars make posts regarding the puzzle, the general assumption of the persuasion factor should be eliminated. Skilled and recognized speakers should know how to implore rhetoric and always try to be truthful rather than use incorrect information to confuse the audience. The logical appeal is key in engaging people and interacting in any social setting and should remain an important component of rhetoric.
Works Cited
Scott, Robert L. “On viewing rhetoric as epistemic.” Communication Studies 18.1 (1967): 9-17.
Foss, Sonja K., and Cindy L. Griffin. “Beyond persuasion: A proposal for an invitational rhetoric.” Communications Monographs 62.1 (1995): 2-18.
Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm. “Friedrich Nietzsche on rhetoric and language.” (1989).
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