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Journal 3: Rhetorical Situation

 

To Bitzer, the rhetorical situation gives meaning to the context of whatever action is taking place.  He argues that rhetoric functions with the intention of getting some sort of outcome; a way to facilitate change.  In most cases, rhetorical situations must have three components: the exigence, the audience, and the constraints.  Bitzer firmly believes that these elements are essential to the proper function of rhetoric.

 

To my understanding, a rhetorical situation serves a purpose and is used to accomplish a goal.  It is meant to create an effect and move people to take up some sort of action.

 

In previous texts, the role of rhetoric in Anzaldua’s work was to encourage people to embrace their cultural backgrounds and to be more accepting of differences in society.  She uses her personal experience of battling societal expectations to move others in her similar situation to take pride of their own culture and to own themselves instead of allowing society to own them.

 

If I had to be honest, most of Bitzer’s text was difficult to understand.  It may be due to his high level of academic writing and use of language, or it may be due to my own lack of ability to be able to grasp the more intricate components of writing.  There were parts of the passage that I read multiple times before being something clicked in my brain.  The parts of Bitzer’s writing where he talked about past theories, the right or wrongness of how rhetorical situations are traditionally thought of as wound my brain in circles.  He is very repetitive in his explanations and uses many examples, but in doing so he creates more confusions for me.  The more something is elaborated upon and explained, the more wrong I think my previous thoughts on the subject are.  

 

Once I reached the part of the passage where Bitzer clearly broke down which three components made up a rhetorical situation, it helped clears things up for me a little.  I am the type of person who likes clarity and direct statements.  Having outlines with numbers, bullet points, or affirmative statements gives my brain something to grasp and hold onto.  No need for guessing or inferring.    

 

If I could ask Bitzer a question about the rhetorical situation, I would want to know who decides whether a text contains rhetoric or not? To the author, it may be clear to himself what his intentions are, but to the audience it may not be understood.  If something is not clearly executed, does it qualify as a rhetorical situation?