Summary:

“The Rhetorical Situation” initially speaks about situations, or events in a person’s life that gives the audience a reaction as to what might occur. Any certain situation gives the audience to ask what is going on and other further questions. There are circumstances that can be recognized as ethical, dangerous, or embarrassing which introduces “the rhetorical situation.” The presence of rhetorical discourse obviously indicates the presence of a situation. Bitzer introduces six main ideas about rhetorical situation. Essentially, rhetoric is presented as a discipline that provides principles, concepts, and procedures about reality.

Response:

I think the article helpful in understanding rhetorical situations and discourse, however it was very repetitive. It kept talking about the same situations, and same ideas about rhetoric. I think it should’ve stopped talking so much about the details of rhetoric, and instead given more example situations of rhetoric.

Question:

Which discipline in rhetoric relates to reality the most?

Emma Watson’s speech:

Exigence: Emma Watson speaks about feminism and its attributes to society.

Audience: Everybody, she wants everyone to understand that feminism applies to everyday life

Constraints: Emma Watson appears nervous speaking in front of the UN, which may be holding her back. Emma Watson is also a celebrity so her word may not mean as much to the UN because she is constantly in the media.