The Rhetorical Situation

1. The Rhetorical Situation Giving Meaning to the Situation

2. Bitzer, “Rhetorical Situation:” • “In short, rhetoric is a mode of altering reality, not by the direct application of energy to objects, but by the creation of discourse which changes reality through the mediation of thought and action. The rhetor alters reality by bringing into existence a discourse of such a character that the audience, in thought and action, is so engaged that it becomes mediator of change. In this sense rhetoric is always persuasive. • Bitzer, “Rhetorical Situation:” • “In short, rhetoric is a mode of altering reality, not by the direct application of energy to objects, but by the creation of discourse which changes reality through the mediation of thought and action. The rhetoralters reality by bringing into existence a discourse of such a character that the audience, in thought and action, is so engaged that it becomes mediator of change. In this sense rhetoric is always persuasive. • Bitzer, “Rhetorical Situation:” • “In short, rhetoric is a mode of altering reality, not by the direct application of energy to objects, but by the creation of discourse which changes reality through the mediation of thought and action. The rhetor alters reality by bringing into existence a discourse of such a character that the audience, in thought and action, is so engaged that it becomes mediator of change. In this sense rhetoric is always persuasive. Rhetorical Situation

4. Click on the picture and watch the campaign ad. When you’ve finished the ad, continue to the next slide for the analysis. Political Campaigns

5. LBJ Campaign Ad

6. Click on the picture and watch the campaign ad. When you’ve finished the ad, continue to the next slide for the analysis. Political Campaigns

7. Reagan Campaign Ad

8. You need to be aware that a rhetorical situation exists every time you write. • You need to adapt your writing depending on your purpose and your audience. What this means…