Philosophy of Rhetoric

             Rhetoric is one of three original liberal arts, the other members being dialect and grammar. While Rhetoric has meant many different things throughout its long history; it is generally described today as the art of persuasion through language. Rhetoric is used to describe a persuasive way in which one relates a theme or idea in an effort to convince. While the concept if Rhetoric is quite old, the actual practice of Rhetoric is something we see everyday in the mass media. However, while we hear and see the use of Rhetoric on a constant basis, many people do not understand Rhetoric. In order to understand and effectively use Rhetoric, we must know and understand the key elements used in Rhetoric. From my readings of Hauser and other research, I find the essential elements to be Ethos Logos and Pathos (or the three types of appeals); 5 canons of rhetoric; and rhetorical context. I do not believe that someone can understand and digest rhetoric without understanding the above-mentioned elements because the study of rhetoric involves looking at the relationship among these various elements.
             In his Rhetoric, Aristotle states the essential elements of effective persuasion include ethos, logos and pathos. Ethos is appeal based on the character of the speaker; Logos is appeal based on logic or reason; and Pathos is appeal based on emotion.
             According to Hauser (2002) Ethos has two important features that should be taken into consideration when discussing the elements of Rhetoric. First, ethos is dynamic because it is developed through the way we speak. Hauser states that "it is not an
             attribute but an interpretation based on the way a rhetor behaves in presenting an appeal and the many reactions an audience has to those behaviors (pg. 148). Second, ethos is a caused response. Meaning that ethos is developed through rhetor's choices of inclusion and exclusion. Simply meaning, w
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