In Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric, Foss, Foss and Trapp define rhetoric as the “human use of symbols to communicate” (1). They elaborate on their definition by noting it is widely accepted that humans are unique in their use of symbols and may be the only animals to use them (1). However, research conducted using chimpanzees and gorillas show that they can be taught to use symbols to communicate (1). Regardless of these findings some theorists believe the use of symbols is unique to humans (2). However, Foss, Foss and Trapp believe that this issue is “unresolved” and may be “unresolvable” (2). In my opinion, rhetoric is a means used to communicate with other people and animals. I do not believe our communications are limited to human to human interactions. We use symbols and signs to communication with people on a daily basis.
We use rhetoric at work, home, school and every other place where other people are present.
Digital Culture is all around us. People subscribe to MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and many other websites. I for one, use Facebook to communicate with friends and family. I use this site mainly because I feel it is a little more private and not easily accessible to just anyone. Rhetoric is widely used on all of these sites. Symbols such as LOL (laughing out loud) and JK (just kidding) are widely used and although easily interpreted can be misconstrued by other users if they are not familiar with such terms. I believe these sites and the symbols used therein are rhetorical because such symbols and sites are used to communicate with other people. They are rhetorical because symbols used on these sites have meaning to the people using them and the people interpreting said symbols. Although this is only one example of how I use rhetoric in my life, technology and the world we live in is constantly changing and requires that we learn new and exciting ways to communicate with each other.
Works Cited:
Foss, Sonja K., Karen A. Foss, and Robert Trapp. Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric. 3rd ed. Waveland, 9.
