Blog #1

Rhetoric can have different meanings depending who is talking about it. “…rhetoric is defined as the human use of symbols to communicate” (Foss, 4). In order to converse among one another we, as humans, use symbols in different ways. These symbols are the basis of rhetoric. Foss molds his definition around three principal aspects. These three principals are “(1) humans as the creators of rhetoric; (2) symbols as the medium for rhetoric; and (3) communication as the purpose for rhetoric” (4). The first principal says that humans discovered rhetoric. Which is logical because how could animals come up with the basis for how humans communicate with each other when animals have their own form of communication? The second principal differentiates between symbols and signs. Foss uses the example of a tennis match involving a non-athletic player. It states that only the players “conscious use of symbols to communicate a particular condition is rhetorical” (Foss, 5). Signs that are given off to people through means that cannot be controlled are not rhetorical. Lastly Foss states that communication and rhetoric can be used interchangeably depending on the person (5-6). Basically it is said that rhetoric is a form of communication through humans using symbols rather than signs to communicate. This can be seen through a student performer who is making an opening performance. The student can appear to be nervous through fidgeting or sweating but it would not be rhetoric until the student made symbols indicating their nervousness; such as telling fellow peers this is the first performance.


Rhetoric is one of the arts of using language as a means to persuade.
Rhetoric is the ability to use language effectively.