Download An Introduction to the History and Theories of Rhetoric and Communication and more Quizzes Communication in PDF only on Docsity!
Rhetoric
The ancient study of human communication, but today it is the study of written works and is located within the English Department TERM 2
Reasons why ancient Greeks value oral
communication
DEFINITION 2 -Their only form of communication/presentation-Form of entertainment (monologues)-In order to have a democracy, communication is key-Attorneys are non existent to represent them TERM 3
Sophists
DEFINITION 3 Teach people how-to do things such as how-to give a speech. Went around to Greek and Roman communities offering speech classes. The classes were free, but donations were expected. Only taught the knack of public speaking. Didn't ask or challenge others, just taught tricks of the trade. More commonly found in technical schools and Students value this more. TERM 4
Philosophers
DEFINITION 4 Focus on critical and analytical thinking (think for yourself). Thought education should be dialectic, an exchange teachers and students engage in dialogue to help critical thinking. Universities want students to critical think, problem solve and research. TERM 5
Aristotle
DEFINITION 5 Father of Communication and wrote The Rhetoric (first public speaking textbook)
Ethos
Personal character of credibility, the character of the speaker (politician) TERM 7
Pathos
DEFINITION 7 Focuses on emotion, effective but can go over the top. Use emotional appeals to sway audience. TERM 8
Logos
DEFINITION 8 Focuses on logic. Our culture likes logic, rationality. Uses logical appeals, statistics, but can be misleading and false. TERM 9
Cicero
DEFINITION 9 Wrote the Canons of Rhetoric TERM 10
Invention
DEFINITION 10 Concerned about the subject matter of speech. Focuses on the subject matter of one's speech and of discovering information and arguments that would lead to sound conclusions. Concerned with audience analysis.
Memory
Focuses on mnemonic devices, ability to hold content (Cicero was against writing things down). The ability to hold content, style and arrangements in one's mind. Cicero suggests the best way to memorize is to use mnemonic devices and strategies. TERM 17
Delivery
DEFINITION 17 Focuses on use of a pleasing voice and graceful gestures. Considered necessary for success. Must present speech in a natural, varied and appropriate way. Voice should convey interest and emotion. Gestures should match the major ideas in speech. TERM 18
Medieval and Renaissance
Era
DEFINITION 18 Characterized by rise of Christianity. Communication studies aimed at revealing "will of God". Augustine and other major Christian theorists used communication to preach, studied the Bible and interpreted it. TERM 19
Natural signs
DEFINITION 19 Come from the earth and made by God. Direct correlation between the thing and what it symbolizes. Natural understanding. Clouds of a storm means its about to rain. The sunrise means its morning and smoke signals theres a fire somewhere. Other examples include sex, smile, facial expressions. TERM 20
Symbolic signs
DEFINITION 20 Something that humans have made up, written word. No meaning from nature, no direct correlation between the thing and what it symbolizes, try to symbolically explain it. For example, golden arches signify McDonalds. The American flag has meaning to us because we assigned it meaning. Wedding rings signify marriage because humans assigned meaning to it. Other examples include gender and human language, we assigned those meaning.
Classical Approach
set out to recover the insights of the great classical rhetoricians, adopting them to modern times. It involves studying and applying theories of communication through Aristotle and Cicero. TERM 22
Psychological/Epistemological Approach
DEFINITION 22 investigates the relationship of communication and thought, trying to understand in a scientific way, how people could influence one another through speech. It looks to see if we can apply science to communication such as experiments, logic and prediction. TERM 23
Belletristic Approach
DEFINITION 23 focuses on writing and speaking as art forms, developing critical standards for judging drama, poetry, and oratory. TERM 24
Elocutionary Approach
DEFINITION 24 design elaborate systems of instruction to improve speakers verbal and nonverbal presentation. Focuses mainly on delivery. TERM 25
Empiricism
DEFINITION 25 Ideas and arguments should be based solely on observation
Communication Studies
One of the oldest, most popular and expanding areas of study in the university. Started 2500 years ago. TERM 32
Rhetoricians Today
DEFINITION 32 turned attention from the study of spoken word to literary works (English Dept). They also use rhetorical theory to analyze particular things, what makes something work and analyze some symbolic work. TERM 33
Communication Scientists
DEFINITION 33 -Understand communication in different contexts -Study how communication how communication affects the development and maintenance of information-the factors that lead to attitude change -how interpersonal relationships form and dissolve-how small groups make effective and ineffective decisions-how complex organizations use communication to function effectively -how the media affect audience responses
