What is the role of rhetoric in influencing people's attitudes and beliefs? How can readers distinguish between prejudicial and non-prejudicial use of rhetorical devices?
I am so confused as to what this means? I am getting so frustrated...
2007-01-09 10:36:15 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
First, lets look at what the word rhetoric means.
rhet·o·ric (rtr-k)
n.
1.
a. The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.
b. A treatise or book discussing this art.
2. Skill in using language effectively and persuasively.
3.
a. A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject: fiery political rhetoric.
b. Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous: His offers of compromise were mere rhetoric.
4. Verbal communication; discourse.
Now, lets say, I am a staunch anti bubble gum lobbyist. In my rhetoric, I preach against bubble gum arguing (1) it causes bad teeth threw excessive sugar as well as continued pull of the teeth by the gum itself. (2) it is too noisy and disruptive when chewed by teenagers. (3) it is too messy and dangerous when chewed by younger children. They swallow it, they forget to take it out of their mouths at night and it winds up in their hair and one their clothes or bed sheets.
All bubble gum should be banned! (This is an example of prejudicial rhetoric.
A non-prejudicial use of rhetoric would be for example arguing the republican position on minimum wage increases versus the democrats position on the same subject. The republican position is that a rise in the minimum wage will be a disadvantage and burden on small business. The democrats state that it has been years since the minimum wage has risen and that low income wage earners need this rise. The truth of the matter is that there are very few jobs in the US that are paying as low as the current minimum wage.
Hope that somewhat helps with your understanding of this subject.
2007-01-09 10:53:59 · answer #1 · answered by sgt_cook 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The sites given in Sources list forms of rhetorical devices with a meaning and an example. Choose ones that you think would cause a person to agree with the speaker/writer's attitude or belief. For example : of one used emotion it might make the person believe you because you seem so convinced of what you are saying/stating. Also go to http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1151444033.1151445802 where it indicates that a rhetorical device is prejudicial by design. Check it out.
2007-01-09 10:55:13 · answer #2 · answered by whatever 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rhetoric can simply be defined as : "Persuasive speech.":
A good example of a past Rhetoric speaker would be Adolf Hitler, whose rhetoric influenced an entire nation to rise up out of an economic depression, nearly conquer Europe, and nearly exterminate an entire Bloodline of people.
A reader can distinguish between the two if he/she focuses on the end result of the speech rather than the flowering words in between. Look to see if the result of the speech serves a non-bias purpose, or if it is attempting to persuade the listener to a negative opinionated belief.
2007-01-09 10:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the question is asking whether or not the way something is written has any influence on how someone will interpret it. And the second part is asking how can you tell the difference between a biased piece of work and an unbiased one. I think that's what its asking.
2007-01-09 10:43:03 · answer #4 · answered by buttercup 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would say go with chad r i am just like the first guy
more confused than u
2007-01-09 10:44:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
sorry I am only in fifth grade...I hope someone else can help more than I did :-(
2007-01-09 10:46:22 · answer #6 · answered by Chris 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry. im not at all sure. im only in 9th grade, wish i could help.
2007-01-09 10:40:33 · answer #7 · answered by britt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sh!t I'm more confused than you!!!
2007-01-09 10:39:07 · answer #8 · answered by Hi 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋