How can rhetoric help you understand reading and writing in the context of several centuries of American culture, literature, and life?

Rhetoric is the way in which people communicate in everyday life. These communications can be persuasive in nature and can be made of text, images, video, or any other type of media.

Rhetoric requires an understanding and control of language and knowledge of culture; the rhetorical situation which includes the purpose, audience, topic, writer, and context, genre; and other aspects to achieve an intended purpose. In many cases, rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) can also contribute to this intended purpose.

Since everyone can use rhetoric, an awareness of its prevalence can be empowering and can help a person become a more critical consumer and creator. It helps a person as a writer and reader understand the different and interrelated influences surrounding the writing and how it will be received and interpreted. Rhetoric gives a framework to think critically about one's writing and reading choices. Rhetoric is a careful way of channeling one's creative energies and incorporating written/visual/audio compositions to create, affirm, and improve the world around us.

Rhetoric is not just empty words or fine political speeches. Rhetoric is the study and art of writing and speaking well, being persuasive, and knowing how to compose successful writing and presentations. Rhetoric teaches us the essential skills of advanced learning and higher education.