Thursday, January 13, 2011
Peralta WGS310 Posting 1 Rhetoric
I understand that Rhetoric refers to the method one uses to communicate something through language. It involves focusing on the Ethos, the communicator, the Pathos, the audience and the Logos, the message itself. These three things need to connect so that the message is communicated. As simple as it sounds, in order to connect all three, we need to first have to right to speak or to express ourselves. For women for example, this has been a struggle. The right to speak has not come easily and therefore their message has not been conveyed in this organized manner. Women have had to create their own method of rhetoric in order to let their voices be heard. I once read a good example of this in a wonderful book by a woman that communicated her message through the food she prepared; She made you feel the texture, smell the aromas and taste the difference spices to describe love, hate, frustration and sadness. Women have been recreating rhetoric to fit their struggle for the right to speak. Often their political and social rhetoric is hidden under many layers of daily lives and it is a pleasure to try to decifer their message.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What is interesting is that what constitutes rhetoric, it's definition(s), etc. has evolved a great deal over time -- I'm curious if the definition you give above was your definition or understanding before coming to the course -- where had you heard the rhetoric before enrolling in WGS 310? The example you give of how women, who traditionally did not have the access to a rhetorical education, had to re-invent the system or the topics discussed is excellent. Are there other examples you can think of?
ReplyDeleteI really like the example you gave and I'm curious to know what female author that was. What I find particularly interesting and poignant about your mention of her using food to describe emotion is that it shows how a woman can use the stereotype that seeks to limit her as a weapon of her own. It's most definitely something to which many women could relate, which would help her establish her credibility as a speaker, as well as creating emotional and familial appeal with her message. I look forward to the rest of your postings :)
ReplyDelete