| Title of Article + Proper MLA Citation for Works Cited page | “Rhetorical Situations and Their Constituents” by Kieth Grant-Davie
Grant-Davie, Kieth “Rhetorical Situations and Their Constituents”. Rhetoric Review Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 264-279, Taylor & Francis Ltd. Spring 1997 |
| Summarize the article — include your reaction, thoughts, anything to help you remember its claims. 100 to 150 words | The author begins with a rhetorical situation based on a Ken Burns’ documentary. He shows we can gain a greater understanding of history through the study of the rhetoric relating to its events. Next, the author defines what a rhetorical situation is and what tools a rhetor can utilize in these situations. Then, he brings up the three defining characteristics of a rhetorical situation as defined by another author: exigence, audience, and constraints. He builds on these three characteristics. The rest of the essay is dedicated to these three characteristics and another rhetorical situation. The essay makes sense of a rhetorical situation and articulates how the rhetor(s) are themselves part of the situation because they are influencing the outcome. |
| Define new terms and concepts by quoting or paraphrasing the original author. | Rhetorical situation: a situation where someone, by utilizing rhetoric, can alter the outcome of the situation
Tools for good rhetoric: integrity – the ability of the rhetor to use a defined set of strategies in any situation. Receptivity – the ability of the rhetor to recognize the strategy needed in a situation. Exigence: the initial impetus for rhetoric. Rhetor: someone attempting to change a situation through discourse. There can be more than one in a given situation. Audience: anyone who comes into contact with the rhetoric, people in a rhetorical situation, the author’s intended audience, and the audience as defined by the rhetoric. Constraints: outside factors that can limit or aid the rhetor. Compound situation: when two rhetorical situations overlap. |
| How does this reading connect to other articles from class and/or your own research?
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Dr. Mona-Attisha utilized rhetoric to influence the outcome of the Flint Water Crisis. She used integrity of data to show that there was a problem. She also appealed to her audience by holding up a baby’s bottle at a press conference. This reading is also similar to Jones’ article about rhetoric. However, this article simply talks about the different parts of rhetoric while Jones illustrates how rhetoric appeals to people. |
| Based on the reading, craft one question to act as a springboard for class discussion. | When have you ever used rhetoric to change the outcome of a situation? |