General Introduction

One of my favorite parts about attending school is when what I learn in class correlates with what I see happening through out the nation and the world. After the 2016 election, I saw a direct correlation between the way the candidates ideas were presented and the reaction from the audience. The reason for this is because the speakers were using specific forms of rhetoric to create a desired reaction from the audience. 

Rhetoric has been apart of education since the fifth century B.C.E. "When it developed in Greek Probate courts and flourished under Greek democracy"(1). Rhetoric is the art of persuasive speaking and can control the flow of power throughout a government. It is more than stating facts and providing information. It is providing this information in a way that not only informs the audience, but also moves them. Rhetoric demands that Logos, Ethos, and Pathos be used. Successful rhetoric will change minds or at the very least get the opposing side of an argument to pause and think. Although involving human stories is important rhetoric must rely on factual information as well, "It suggests resources for evidence and argument and gives rules for accurate reasoning" (2).  

 One of the reasons I believe learning about rhetoric is important is because not only are you able to prepare a convincing argument, but you can see through another persons argument. The ability to dissect and see the logical fallacies that another person uses can help you understand the strength of an argument rather than just being moved by what another person says. 

Aristotle was able to break down rhetoric into three separate forms of public speech. One was used for the courtroom, legal or forensic speech. Another was used for political or deliberative speech, this is what we see in every day media and political debates. Finally, ceremonial or epideictic public. Understanding the history of rhetoric will help us understand the type of rhetoric that we see used today.