The Rhetorical Situation

In Bitzer’s “The Rhetorical Situation” he describes what exactly a rhetorical situation is and its importance in a piece of writing. ” 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 ” (4). Rhetoric does not go without the content of a situation. He also describes the three characteristics of rhetoric and provides examples to better persuade his audience. Exigence is the existing problem in the piece, the audience are those viewing or whom it is addressed, and the constraints are any limits the writer faces. Identifying the discourse is the response and understanding of a rhetorical situation: ” a complex of persons, events, objects, and relations presenting an actual or potential exigence which can be completely or partially removed  if discourse, introduced into the situation, can so constrain human decision or action as to bring about the significant modification of the exigence” (6). One part I failed to understand in the passage was how to properly examine and understand a rhetorical analysis in other works?

Emma Watson’s Speech

Exigence: Gender Equality

Audience: The members of the United Nations.

Constraints: Favoring both sides of her argument.

Persuasive Writing

Using logos, pathos, ethos or style has never really been something I take into consideration when I write. I have recently come to understand that  I use these terms when I am trying to convey a message or make a point in my writing. I have learned about this before, but I forget while I am writing. I understand the importance of analyzing others work as a rhetoric intelligence.

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