A)
Some use the word rhetoric in a negative way.The term commonly is used to mean empty,bombastic language that has no substance(Foss).Others use the word in a metaphorically way.Foss however,states that neither of those thoughts is how rhetoric is used in rhetorical criticism.He defines the word,saying that it is how humans use symbols to communicate.He also states that the definition has threes aspects which are related to humans and the way they communicate with symbols.
The first aspect is called Humans as the creators of rhetoric.Some people question if symbols separate people from animals,because chimps and gorillas have been taught by using symbols.People though are the only ones so far that use symbols to create a part of their reality using symbols.Animals and people both have different experiences with symbols.
The second aspect is called Symbols as the medium for rhetoric.The word rhetoric doesn't involve signs.Symbols are different from signs.I think that a symbol represents something and a sign tells or shows you something.However signs and symbols can be associated together in communication.
The third aspect is called communication as the purpose of rhetoric.The purpose of this is communication,because symbols are used for communicating.Foss says that "rhetoric functions in a variety of ways to allow humans to communicate with one another."He also says that people use it to persuade others,understand new things,and also that sometimes people may express their thoughts out loud or maybe just write them down.Also,Foss says that another communicative function rhetoric establishes is that it's tells us what reality is.Reality is always changing depending on the symbols we use to talk about it.I thinks Foss means that the symbols we see makes it easier to tell what things a real and not just made up.
I do agree that symbols are used for communication,and that the word rhetoric serves many functions.I see symbols all the time,for example a stop sign.And sometimes,I like to change the font on wordpad,on my computer to Symbol and write things and see what it looks like.Also,when I hear the word rhetoric,I think of the term rhetorical question.For example,will I ever finish writing this blog??
B)
google definitions
-The art of speaking or writing effectively as the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion .
-Asked merely for effect with no answer expected(rhetorical question)
You did finish and finished well Mazzarella! But I gotta know besides "rhetorical questions" do you think a sign becomes a symbol ever--you know like an actor who makes him/herself cry? Is this sign or symbol? And this is not a rhetorical question:)
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