The Rhetorical Memorial

Rhetoric is often present among us, and especially in speech. Beyond speech, it is it's overall presentation that I believe speaks measures. So while persuassive speech is highly important, I've come to note that rhetoric can be present in how one can relay a message or belief through either their own self image or body language, visual aids, songs, and most importantly actions.

In my anthropology class, we were asked to view the Joe Paterno memorial, and to take note on the audience and their expressions, as well as the speakers. I found myself taking note to the countless rhetoric the speakers used to describe the entire life of one man, as well as the communication means they sought to get through to the audience that sometimes required little to no words. We listened to them speak of this legend and hero that so much of them found inspiration by, but it was their expressions and images of the great Joe Paterno, that moved me the most. So while I considered rhetoric to be present in speech, and anthropology by communication and body language, I came to see how the two merged together.

The Big Ten Network, www.psusac.org.

In recent readings of rhetoric, I learned of the word 'exigence' and how it can be portrayed through many means. Some of which I never considered beyond speech and writing, and this including advertisments, cards, invitations, online networking, videos and more. When defining exigence, it involves the use of any sort of context that provokes one's interest, or stimulates a response. So while the rhetoric of the speakers in the memorial did just that, I witnessed the power of exigence beyond the audience at Bryce Jordan, but the viewers watching it at home. The slideshows of images from early on in Paterno's life to his very end, seemed remarkable as you watched the black and white images from so many years ago come to life. Then also the videos of Joe Paterno coaching, seemed to bring even him alive in his passing. Such visual exigence, had the power to move people, bring back memories of Joe Paterno, give those who never met him an idea of the kind of man he was, and provide for a great memorial of his life.

Rhetoric...Every Sunday Morning

Defining and understanding rhetoric is a fairly new subject to me. So as I began to apply its definition to the world around me, I noticed that the connections I made were very vague. I pondered over rhetoric in the media, online, within different sources of entertainment, and political debates. What I found was that while rhetoric was present amongst many things, I held no personal feeling or response to much of it. When picturing rhetoric, automatically I consider persuasiveness in speech, writing, and maybe even body language. So when it comes down to it, I wanted to consider personal moments in my life that I was persuaded by speech that challenged the way I thought, felt, and even approached the world.

Many times in my life I have spoken to people that have added to my perspectives on life, and such persons has ranged from a parent, sibling, friend, mentor, and more. Yet, one of the most powerful forms of rhetoric to me has come from the hour or two I get from church sunday mornings. It wasn't until I began to read into "rhetoric and civic life" that I realized how much pastors and preachers apply the use of rhetoric to uplift people through religion. Many members of a church, enter and listen to sermons with prior belief and knowledge in their religion. So preachers have the advantage of knowing their audience through means of shared religion, as well as sharing a common ground on the importance religion has on their daily lives. Often times, I have realized that when I get the most out of church attendance is when the pastor uses persuasive speech, to get a clear message across through a sermon or speech that challenges and magnifies my thoughts and beliefs. If I had to take notes on how a preacher uses rhetoric in church, it would be endless. From the very start of the sermon, preachers often start by welcoming the congregation which allows them to feel more comfortable. He or she goes on to provide the audience with underlying messages by drawing on stories from the bible as well our everyday lives, which at most times are quite relatable. A lot of people have been stressful if not more than one time in their lives, and so immediately if we were to hear a sermon on what stress is and how to get through it, it basically speaks and guides each person individually. It seems that their ability to 'get through to' a whole group of people, especially continuously every sunday would be helpless without rhetoric. Many pastors have a loud and strong voice, that many times grabs the attention of their audience. Within the way they carry themselves upright and by their facial expression, shows their seriousness in beliefs as well as helps them to appear knowledgeable in each sermon they give. I know for myself that when a pastor stops to take their timeout to talk to me or even look me in the eye as they preach, it feels the utmost sincere. So while the use of rhetoric is helpful in the media to get people to buy or believe a certain view, I quite enjoy the rhetoric of speech through the sermons I get sunday mornings that enhance my beliefs as well as uplift me throughout the days to follow.