Blog #1

Rhetoric as defined by Foss means to communication between humans through a deliberate and conscious choice of symbols, often people believe rhetoric to be senseless and void language. Also it may be taken as a metaphorical way of speech. However through out the ages since the word originated it meant the conveying of messages through symbolism. Foss states that there are three primary dimensions: "(1)humans are the creators of rhetoric;(2) symbols as the medium for rhetoric; and (3) communication as the purpose of rhetoric. One can agree with Foss on the use of rhetoric only by its creators since humanity has constructed its society and reality based on symbols, for example a flag a symbol of a nation, the flag of the United States of America has stars on it representing the 50 states that make up the nation. Rhetorical symbols however may be interpreted in different ways other then the way the creator intended. Another example of rhetoric is a skull and crossbones on a back of cigarettes the symbolism here means that smoking leads to death, the skull and crossbones symbolizing death. Many messages may be interpreted to mean something else for example Foss wrote that " If a United States reconnaissance plane accidentally strays over North Korea without the purpose of communicating anything to North Korea, however the pilot is not engaged in rhetorical action. In this case however the North Koreans can choose to interpret the event symbolically and take retaliatory action against the United States.(chapter one 8th paragraph)". This shows us that any action can be interpreted symbolically. In most Spanish speaking countries there are strict codes of social behavior, girls for example are chaperoned and therefore may flaunt their sexuality openly without having the fear of attracting trouble. However this in some English speaking countries may mean that a female is trying to attract someone. Body language can deceive the receiver of the message depending on cultural background. Some symbols may mean something different in other cultures. The swastika in the western world is tied with evil due to the events that where witnessed there, however in eastern Asiatic cultures the swastika is a symbol of spirituality of well being. In the United States the common person may see the swastika tied with the Nazi regime, actually the symbol has a an ancient definition.
Definition 1 : the art of speaking or writing effectively: as a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion.
2 a : skill in the effective use of speech b : a type or mode of language or speech; also : insincere or grandiloquent language.