Rhetoric: In the means of Persuasion and Power, the Good and the Evil

Lamas JJ

Rhetoric 103A

GSI: Kuan Hwa

11/26/2016

Figurative Analysis

Since the beginning of its time, Rhetoric (along with its intriguing strength), has led society into a dichotomy of multifaceted influences that have persuaded an individual listener and/or observer to think one way or another. But, how did these thoughts develop in the individual persuader to persuade in such a way? The power that Rhetoric conveys  is influential and it can be used for the good or for the evil; depending on the intention of the orator. Aristotle finds a way to distinguish the logistics of Rhetoric and the key principles that demonstrate its crucial existence. From Aristotle’s “Rhetoric, Book I” he states, “Persuasion is clearly a sort of demonstration, since we are most fully persuaded when we consider a thing to have been demonstrated.” In other words, this antimetabole argues: How could there have been any way for an idea to be brought to light if the idea had not been introduced to begin with?

With Rhetoric, comes some form of expression. With expression, comes a use of language; one of the key tools that works hand in hand together with Rhetoric. Language carries an important role in the way we perceive the world. Thus, the use of language and the accessibility all of its features conveys a vital role to the individual listeners that encodes and decodes the message being expressed. “The hearer must be either a judge, with a decision to make about things past or future” The listener, as much as the speaker, holds a pivotal aspect. In a scenario where oratory is taking place, the listener, along with the Rhetorician, holds the role of digesting the information given  and evaluating themselves for the possibility of such statements. For many, Rhetoric can be perceived in a variety of different ways. “But rhetoric we look upon as the power of observing the means of persuasion on almost any subject presented to us.” The use of Rhetoric can be displayed in numerous day-to-day events, making it an imperative hyperbole, periodically.

It begins with developing an idea (and/or) thought, placing the ideas into a structure, finally taking the courageous  action of vocalizing this individual knowledge to a plethora of audience. By using Rhetoric, we are conceived to engage with an audience. It also authorizes a certain power, and it grants us the access to see the world in a different way that. A few of the hierarchal figures in society who use rhetoric are: Politicians, Public figures, Entertainers, Lawyers. He argues, “A statement is persuasive and credible either because it is directly self-evident or because it appears to be proved from other statements that are so. In either case it is persuasive because there is somebody whom it persuades.” There needs to be a mean of persuasion and a significance behind the intention of such a persuasion.

Three very key fundamental things that establish a vocalized figure. Rhetoric is similar to poetry. The tools of poetry embrasses your soul, it touches your heart, and it appeases the mind. Rhetoric, in essence, is like an extended poem that goes into detail. A painter, a canvas and a paintbrush. Essentially, each of these items need each other in order to make this grant painting come alive. How can one create a painting without the paintbrush? How can the paintbrush paint without the canvas? The canvas is not able to be painted on if the painter is not there to control the brush. Within rhetoric, there needs to come a thought process. It uses rhetorical devices that shape statements in a particular way to capture an audience on a deeper level. Rhetoric also is seen as the main mechanism used in many of our current routines today. From Courts, to Education, to Political action. Rhetoric has been placed into our society to allow us to be led into a particular influence. Rhetorical tactics of today have placed figures in positions of leadership, whether the power of rhetoric was used for the good or the evil.  How did one come up with the idea of wanting to persuade in such a way? As a power tool: The eloquence that Rhetoric gives in the fact furnishes a belief in a new meaning.

Rhetoric allows one to change the mind of an individual. One can attack and freely  defend themselves. It can grant opportunities to truly vocalize a passion of such, to express, to feel and also to serve passion for devotion. It is essential to remember why Rhetoric is  important. Behind it comes a lot of power and the intention of that power can be used in many different ways. One cannot perceive or know how exactly rhetoric should be perceived. This is why “it is necessary for the political, the forensic, and the ceremonial speaker alike to be able to have at their command propositions about the possible and the impossible, and about whether a thing has or has not occurred, will or will not occur.” The responsibility of attaining such a power, such a tool, and such an influence is one to be taken into high consideration. The power behind rhetoric gives access to many doors of poli-cultural stances. Without the use of rhetoric and its power of influence,how could one come about relaying a specific message? How can one express a message needing to be put out without the use of rhetoric? The world may never know.