Introduction to Rhetoric and This Class
"Entasis" being the concept of rhetoric that steers people towards a preferred view through visual manipulation makes me think about other examples of it I might see in everyday life, specifically in reference to columns. It's intriguing to see how rhetoric expands beyond the spoken and into the visual. Columns invoke feelings of strength, and visually are an enduring foundation. Would that mean that this form of architecture has been--for years--the goal of the creator to have people trust in his or her work? Similarly to how rhetoric itself is essentially getting the listener on the side of the speaker.
The 5 "canons" of rhetoric are: what to say, the order of saying it, the words you use to say it, memorizing what you will say, and the presentation of your words from physical appearance to gestures and enunciation. The term "rizz," Interestingly enough, a form of rhetoric when understood in its actual context. It's essentially flirting. Of course, saying the right things in the right way to allure someone who you want to date could be rhetorical.
Literacy is an essential aspect of rhetoric, originating from ancient Athens when it was the citizens themselves who upheld and enforced the law. It's also ironic how we repeat their practices of persuasive language deciding laws through modern politics. Regardless of that, the ability to effectively use rhetoric is actually a valuable skill for anyone to have. The questions of ethics in rhetoric could easily become complicated when personal beliefs and thoughts are involved. If a speaker were able to convince listeners that a perceived negative rhetoric is actually positive, would it still be unethical? How strong a role does belief play? Rhetoric seems simple at first glance, but has a lot of levels to it that need to be understood.