Rhetoric in Culture and Society

Image result for rhetoric cartoon

Pictured above is an example of visual rhetoric. Ebola caused a panic in the united states due to news reports and warnings. In reality, according to the Live Ebola Map, less than 9,000 have died to it, and according to BBC it is less than 12,000. In either case it is still substantially less than other causes of death. Language can change the way a message is portrayed. Anyone can turn a mountain into a mole hill with the right vernacular. Rhetoric can be used in political elections to convince people to vote for them or to not vote for the other candidates. Rhetoric can also be used to manipulate the truth. One example of this can be found within this political cartoon showing statements made about the war against Iraq.

Image result for rhetoric cartoon

They make it seem like strides are being made but in reality we are exactly where we started and are starting to repeat ourselves. What they are doing is to the ethos part of the rhetoric triangle. They are using their political backgrounds to try and convince the people they are doing something about the issue. This can then appeal to the pathos part of the triangle because they are making the people happier by saying america is going to end the war. They also use logos to try and get their point across and convince the people. Rhetoric can effect fads and trends as well. Magazines and the news can make something seem uncool, or turn something that nobody payed attention to really popular. They appeal to the pathos especially because most people are worried about their looks and others' opinions. In short, rhetoric is a powerful tool that can control the minds of millions which can either be used for good or to manipulate people.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Animal Farm

Image
"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."- George Orwell What George Orwell is referring to is the ignorant. The peasantry, the uneducated, the fools. They don't know therefore they take the word of one who does. They are unable to think on their own because they are used to a simple routine and don't question what they are really doing. The ignorant are easily manipulated on account of they are aware they are not as smart as a person giving the orders. These type of people take orders to provide for themselves and survive and are exploited by working for cheap labor. Those in power use propaganda to stick ideas into the heads of the ignorant because they can't formulate their own opinions. If the smart guy says one thing then it must be true. This has been seen all throughout history. World leaders who quickly rose to power always appealed to the peasantry, making promise
Read more

Ambition

Image
How does ambition effect decision making? Well first, lets define ambition. Ambition is  a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. The meaning is within itself. Ambition is the the most powerful tool to success. It is how you apply yourself and how badly you want it. Edison had the ambition to invent something to be able to see in the dark without using a candle. Karl Benz had the ambition to travel to places much faster without taking a step. Muhammad Ali had the ambition to be the best. The Wright brothers had the ambition to stop traveling on the ground. America had the ambition to be independent. It is the fire that burns inside of you that will be the thrusting force toward your success. When you want to succeed just as badly as you want to breathe, that is when you will be successful. Those who tell you you cant are the ones afraid you will, that is why you must be self determined. When you have the drive to do what you w
Read more

From Pages to Pictures

Image
I think most readers can agree on the fact the the book is ALWAYS better than its motion picture. Books involve the reader and allow them to use their creativity to have their own vision in their head for what the characters and settings in the story look like. Everyone has a different perception and interpretation of the book which upsets the readers when they watch the film version because the director's vision doesn't match theirs. In writing stories too, it gives the author no limitations and he could write as much or as little as he wants. In making a film, there are budgets and time restrictions which lead to scenes from bools being cut, sometimes even the most important. The qualities that make the movie good enough to be a representation of the story include a multitude of factors. One of the most important is to retain most of the events that occur or at least the most important. Readers definitely get upset when their favorite event does not get put into the
Read more