Definition of Rhetoric

Rhetoric is using writing, whether it is an essay, an article, a speech, or any other form, to persuade your audience on a topic. Whether they appeal to emotion or logic, are presented in an essay or commercial, the best, most effective arguments are well researched and thought out.  They consider all sides of the topic and explain why they believe their position is the correct one. I believe this all starts with listening and getting as informed as you can be on the topic at hand. So, if rhetoric is the art of using words to persuade, and effective arguments are researched, reasoned out, and take into account all sides of an issue, thinking and acting rhetorically is incorporating those things into your every day behaviors. It is listening first and speaking second. It is researching, considering and evaluating all sides to a debate, discussing these topics with others, while still thinking for yourself, and coming up with your own opinions. As Kenneth Burke says, “You listen for a while, until you decide that you have caught the tenor of the argument; then you put in your oar.” These are things that will not only make you a more effective communicator, but also a better person.