Rhetoric
From what I understand about the words “rhetoric” and “rhetorical sensitivity” is that it is a way to use words to persuade a person or audience. Looking at a normal day I now see that I use rhetorical sensitivity everyday. The example that I thought of is from a work setting. I work in a local health clinic as a back desk receptionist. I work under two doctors and a PA (physician’s assistant). The PA has only worked at the clinic for a couple of months, the reason that he was brought on was to allow more patients to be seen because the doctor was on average a week to two weeks full on appointments. I use rhetoric on a daily basis because patients will call in and want to see the doctor; I am the one to say that the doctor is full but that he has a PA who would be available to see the patient. There are patients that have been seen by this doctor for over 15 years and are sometimes very stubborn about not seeing their doctor, which I understand. The wording that I use is very important because saying the wrong thing will make that patient not want to see the PA. When patients find out that a PA isn’t a doctor they refuse to see the PA and insist on waiting two weeks to see the doctor. The first thing is using words that indicate that the PA is competent to see the patient. Therefore, using rhetoric is important to be able to persuade the patient to see the PA rather than waiting two weeks to see the doctor. I wasn’t even aware that I had been using rhetorical sensitivity on a daily basis until now. Rhetoric or rhetorical sensitivity comes in a natural and instinctive way, enhancing our understanding of rhetoric will greatly increase the success in our daily lives.
When I was first reading chapter 1 I was thinking that rhetoric was only used in writing but on page 6 it indicates that rhetoric was first used for speaking and then applied to writing. I was not familiar with this word, when I thought of the word rhetorical I would think of a rhetorical question and being honest I wasn’t sure what the word really means, just that you asked a question and didn’t really want an answer. I understand now that rhetoric is simply adapting the word to the situation. Chapter 1 used the example of preparing for a job interview compared to daily life. The words used in a job interview are going to persuade the interviewer that you are capable of that job. I also learned that one is able to review another person’s rhetoric.
My first question is how do I better use rhetoric and rhetorical sensitivity in my writing? The second question is how can I better understand and interpret the rhetoric or rhetorical sensitivity that is directed towards me?
When I was first reading chapter 1 I was thinking that rhetoric was only used in writing but on page 6 it indicates that rhetoric was first used for speaking and then applied to writing. I was not familiar with this word, when I thought of the word rhetorical I would think of a rhetorical question and being honest I wasn’t sure what the word really means, just that you asked a question and didn’t really want an answer. I understand now that rhetoric is simply adapting the word to the situation. Chapter 1 used the example of preparing for a job interview compared to daily life. The words used in a job interview are going to persuade the interviewer that you are capable of that job. I also learned that one is able to review another person’s rhetoric.
My first question is how do I better use rhetoric and rhetorical sensitivity in my writing? The second question is how can I better understand and interpret the rhetoric or rhetorical sensitivity that is directed towards me?