Persuasion is such a funny thing. With just another person’s deliberate choice of words, we are able to change our thoughts about a certain context of something. It can also use to get hat we want. Here, let’s explore Rhetoric, using language to persuade.
Bitzer’s Definition of a Rhetorical Situation
According to Bitzer, a rhetorical situation is “a complex of persons, events, objects, and relations” It is a pre-requisite to a rhetorical discourse. It is a situation where one there is an imperfection marked by urgency and requires a thought, an idea or even a solution. In short, it is an issue that requires an answer.
Different Aspects of a Rhetorical Situation
Bitzer has three aspects of a rhetorical situation. They are (i) Exigence, (ii) Audience and (iii) Constraint.
Exigence is the issue that requires action to be taken, something that demands attention. It is to be treated with urgency and significance. However, exigences can either be rhetorical or non-rhetorical. The audience are the people who perceive and/or affected by the exigence. They are basically the “receivers” of the message. Lastly, the constraint is the one who creates, modifies and utilizes the exigence to be used by the audience. It can be the rhetor, speaker or the writer that is trying to make a point for the audience.
Issues I have Encountered Today I Think Warrant a Rhetorical Discourse…
Generally, any issue can be a reason for a rhetorical discourse. It can be political, economical, social, environmental, etc. However, there is level of intensity between issues. The current issue I think of now is the Novel Corona Virus. People are now panicking especially with the fake news all over world. One must use rhetoric for the good, and not the other way around. How about you? How do you use rhetoric?
References
Bitzer, L. (1968). The Rhetorical Situation. Philosophy and Rhetoric, 1, 1-14.
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