Blog Number One

The authors of “Contemporary Perspective on Rhetoric” provide many different examples and definitions for the audience to better understand the in’s and outs of Rhetoric. Foss, Foss and Trapp describe Rhetoric by stating, “It is an art and a discipline that facilitates our understanding of the nature and function of symbols in our lives”(1). Throughout the article the authors mention three main topics connecting to rhetoric that allows the audience to grasp a better understanding of rhetoric which are humans, symbols, and communication. Foss, Foss and Trapp explain that humans have the ability to create their lives through symbols. We constantly use symbols in our everyday lives to communicate with one another.

Foss, Foss and Trapp constantly provided the reader with examples of symbols in our lives that we use to communicate, and through these examples I noticed rhetoric’s in my life as well. While reading the authors example of the women going into the hospital because of her severe pain in the arms and chest, it reminded me of the signs we receive from our bodies every day no matter the problem. For example when I feel cranky, drained, and not able to concentrate on my everyday tasks I begin to realize that these are signs that I’m being sleep deprived. I’ve noticed my throat has been itchy lately and that I have developed a terrible cough, I took these signs and communicated with my mother about what cough medicine would be best to buy. We take these symbols and communicate with our doctors, family and friends about the problems we are experiencing. Foss, Foss and Trapp state, “The signs and symbols often intertwine is typical of human communication”(3). We often use signs and symbols without realizing it.


Works Cited
Foss, Sonja, Karen Foss, and Robert Trapp. Contemporary Perspective on Rhetoric. 3rd ed. Carol Rowe and Neil Rowe, 1-15. Print.

rhet•o•ric (r t r- k)
n.
1.
a. The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.
b. A treatise or book discussing this art.
2. Skill in using language effectively and persuasively.
3.
a. A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject: fiery political rhetoric.
b. Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous: His offers of compromise were mere rhetoric.
4. Verbal communication; discourse.

Works Cited
The Free Dictionary . Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009. Web. 24 Aug 2010.http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rhetoric


rhet•o•ric
   ˈrɛt ər ɪkShow Spelled[ret-er-ik] Show IPA
–noun
1.
(in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.
2.
the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.
3.
the study of the effective use of language.
4.
the ability to use language effectively.
5.
the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
6.
the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.
7.
(in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.
8.
(in older use) a work on rhetoric.

Works Cited
Dictionary.com. 25 Aug 2010.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rhetoric.