Though the importance of spoken word is not nearly comparable to what it was during the time of ancient and medieval rhetoric, the importance of oral discourse is still apparent. Being able to see a rhetor and hear the oral discourse, as well as the gestures being made, can strengthen an argument in ways that written composition cannot do as efficiently. In this section of Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students, the methods of speech are addressed, and rules on grammar are provided. Not only does this chapter cover spoken word, but also the importance of other aspects of visual rhetoric, including textual presentation, which is important in physically presenting an argument, and rhetorics of the Internet, where communication is affected by both visual and media approaches. This chapter highlighted interesting segments of rhetoric from the past, and how the world of rhetoric has evolved over time.
The segment on Maria Stewart was also interesting, in that it highlighted the importance of her writings, which regarded the abolitionist movement for African Americans as well as for women. Her work on both feminism and African American rights show the increasing importance of equality, as people began to fight for their rights as both people of color and as women. By drawing attention to herself, however, Stewart was a controversial being of this time period. It is interesting to read about the struggle for personal rights and freedoms, and how they affected the writings that were being spread upon society during the nineteenth century.
Frederick Douglass, who was born a slave, had an impact on writing, as the movement towards the freedom of African Americans was becoming more paramount with the prevalence of slavery in America during the nineteenth century. This segment highlights Douglass and his struggle to gain rights and a voice within society. He spent a great deal of his life speaking against slavery, which shows the remarkable social changes that were occurring during this time. His written and oral rhetoric were of great importance.
The skills encompassed in ARCS were certainly beneficial, even with the lessened emphasis on the orator's professional merits in today's society. Articulate, truly engaged speakers with the prowess of say, Frederick Douglass seem to be few and far between, reduced to political figureheads performing lip service to whatever cause will earn the desired result, which is in most cases money. I think that a stringent difference between orators today and of the nineteenth century is the lack of focus on the individual orators who crusade for their causes out of selfless intention. In other words, if you asked me to point out the Douglass and Maria Stewart of today, I would be at a loss.
ReplyDeleteThis class period was interesting in that it highlighted the importance of Frederick Douglass, as the world of rhetoric was being impacted by the abolition movement during the nineteenth century. I am curious to learn more about visual rhetoric as well, and how it was impacted or developed by ancient rhetorics evolving over time.
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