Definition of rhetoric

Rhetoric is a form of communication. It is smart communication. By smart I mean that it stems from logical, advantageous thinking and is driven by the purpose to first, support and second, convince. Examples of rhetorical situations that involve rhetorical thinking may include debates, arguments, petitions, and working as a salesman. In all of these situations, in order to for the individual to be successful, all those actively involved in them must have an intense and voiced opinions. Plato supports this definition of rhetoric when he says, “Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.” It can be argued that humankind will only do what they agree with, or what their opinion supports. Why would anyone do something that they strongly disagree with? It is with this logic that I say that rhetoric is language meant to uphold and support.

Secondly, rhetoric is meant to convince someone either of an individual’s correctness or into the changing of someone else’s opinion. This is one step beyond supporting, as the defender is not only rationalizing, but also proving. For rhetoric to convince, it must begin with advantageous thinking, as I have claimed. Oxford Dictionary claims rhetoric is, “the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.” In order to be effective in a debate, one must put in careful thought.