Rhetoric Affects Many Areas of Modern Life
How Politicians, Lawyers, and Mangers Use the Art of Persuasion
Rhetoric can be simply described as the art of speaking, although often it is equally tied to the art of writing. Basically it originated in ancient Greece with the Sophists dating back to about 600 BC and it was an influential asset for the educated people in Roman times and also later in the Middle Ages. Illustrious leaders such as Julius Caesar and St. Augustine , to name only a few, saw the necessities of being able to express themselves clearly and unequivocally to attract crowds and to win the favor of influential people.
Politics and Campaign Advertising Depend on Rhetorics to Get Votes
Senators and Congressmen need to have the “gift of the gab” to persuade their fellow members and the public of their proposed cause. Similarly, presidential candidates are closely observed in not only what they say, but also how they express themselves. Obviously, they have the intention to persuade and convince the public that they are the best and most qualified for the job, and we often hear in the news that occasionally candidates attack others using “flaming rhetoric”. Politicians, as a whole, need to carefully weigh their words, as not to appear foolish, contradictory or inadvertently offensive to the public or to the world community. Knowledge of rhetoric then would be a must for the field of politics.
Law and Court Trials Rely on Rhetorical Language to Win Their Cases
The justice system heavily depends on rhetoric. A lawyer or state prosecutor needs to be able to convince the jury of what they believe to be the truth. Evidently, they would need to have a thorough knowledge of the laws, but also psychology and the art of persuasion are elemental in presenting their cases. Their goal is, effectively, to win over the “votes” of the jury. Both lawyers and prosecutors may at times move away from the cold facts and use emotive and emotion-arousing language, called pathos, so that the jury may more easily identify with the accused or the victim.
Managers and Job Applicants Need Excellent Oral Skills at the Workforce
Rhetoric has moved into the public realm and is not the privilege of only educated people and is not limited to the legal or political professions only. For example, in the setting of the job interview one is judged not only on educational background, but also on the competency of oral communication skills. Not being able to express oneself is a debilitating factor that may come to haunt the applicant during the interview process. It is a given fact that leaders, especially managers, need to be able to use language in a creative and persuasive manner to deal with situations or to give a good impression towards the public.
Everyone Can Benefit from the Knowledge and Use of Rhetoric
By understanding the implications of rhetoric you can safeguard yourself from manipulation and brainwashing that happens on a daily basis whether through the means of communication or friends, family, coworkers, and teachers. If you can use logical arguments in a clear and convincing manner you will have the upper hand in arising discussions and conflicts. It is also the telltale sign of a dynamic healthy democracy since free speech is often equated with rhetoric.
Allegorical Figure of Rhetoric
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St. Augustine Reading Rhetoric
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