Rhetorical studies is a field of study that combines philosophy, sociology, and communication to look at how text, speech, and symbols, as well as images and motifs, are used to persuade, anger, calm, or redirect an audience through ethics that they may hold consciously or subconsciously. This field of study examines how each individual or group operates according to a particular ethos, as well as how buzz words, phrases, and symbols used by public or private entities can affirm or contradict that ethos, prompting people to act or not act, believe or not believe, and align with the speaker or not align. Marketing, politics, and social movements are all examples of communicative persuasion, and they all serve as backdrops for rhetorical studies students.
The study of literature, political speeches, advertising campaigns, and company statements are all used to investigate rhetoric. It could also include looking at messages in artistic media like music, cartoons, movies, or even viral videos. The most important messages targeted by rhetorical studies are ideas that have sparked niche or mass followings and critics in the public, whether historically or currently.
Learning certain literary devices that can make communication more compelling can be learned through rhetorical studies training. Euphemism, hyperbole, and pleonasm, or the use of non-essential emphatic words, are examples of rhetorical devices. Apostrophe, which is the addressing of a specific person or entity, whether imaginary or real, and tautology, which is the repetition of the same idea using different phrasing, are two other rhetorical devices taught in rhetorical studies. Listeners can be conditioned to emotionally and mentally receive the content of a message using these rhetorical strategies.
Rhetorical studies departments at universities may offer courses on popular culture language trends, as well as free speech rights and how much moral license one can take with free speech. Specific methods of presenting rhetoric, as well as theories on why and how rhetoric works, are all part of the study of rhetoric. Most courses require students to participate in public speaking exercises called rhetorical exercises.
Because special interests influence public language and messages, as well as rhetorical contexts, rhetorical studies courses frequently examine how specific language appeals to specific special interest groups. Some rhetoric may appeal to feminists or homosexuality advocates, while others may appeal to specific ethnic groups, geographic locations, or political affiliations. A rhetorical studies student would learn how to craft a message that appeals to the target audience without appearing to pander.
Debate and forensics competitions, internships, and forensics-based honor societies and fraternities are all options for honing skills learned in rhetorical courses. A minor or major in rhetorical studies can help you prepare for a career in law, politics, or public service. Rhetorical studies training is also beneficial to broadcasters, marketing executives, copywriters, and journalists. While rhetorical knowledge and strategies can be used to manipulate others, they can also be used to mobilize communities and inspire social change.