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The Nature of
Rhetorical
Criticism
Chapter 1
Rachel Shelton
Communication 165
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Rhetorical Criticism
“We live our lives enveloped in symbols. How we perceive ,
what we know, what we experience, and how we act are the
results of the symbols we create and the symbols we encounter
in the world,” (Foss, p3).
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Rhetorical Criticism
Symbol— “something that stands or representssomething else
by virtue of relationship, association, or
convention,” (Foss p4).
Therefore, as we live our lives, we are constantly analyzing
these symbols, and how we communicate what we know about
a symbol is known as Rhetorical Criticism.
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Rhetoric
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Rhetoric—the human use of symbols.
3 dimensions
1. Humans create rhetoric
2. Symbols as the medium of rhetoric
3. Communications as the purpose of rhetoric
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Humans as the Creator of Rhetoric
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We are the only species that can adapt/change, and
understand symbols
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Symbols as the Medium for
Rhetoric
Symbol— “something that stands or represents something
else by virtue of relationship, association, or convention,”
(Foss p4).
Example: a cup. (the word cup does not define the
plastic thing that holds water. Therefore we
label it as a
cup). (Foss p4).
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Symbols as the Medium for
Rhetoric
Sign— something that is directly connected to something
else.
Example: a stomach growl = hunger. This is a
biological occurrence when the stomach is
trying
to digest food that is not present.
Therefore it is not a
symbol.
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Communication as Purpose of
Rhetoric
Communication – exchanging of meaning
between two people.
Rhetoric can also be used in replacement for communication
because is allows people to communicate as well.
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This communication is known as persuasion, understanding,
self-discoverable, and could also tell you how reality is, for
example.
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Rhetorical Criticism
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“ It is a qualitative research method that is designed for the
systematic investigation and explanation of symbolic acts and
artifacts for the purpose of understanding rhetorical
processes,” (Foss p6).
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Rhetorical Criticism
Act—“delivered in the presence of a rhetor’s intended
audience,” (ex. Speech), (Foss p6).
Artifact— the object of study.
3 dimensions
1. systematic analysis as the acts of criticism
2. acts and artifacts as the object of criticism
3. understanding rhetorical processes as the purpose
of criticism
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Systematic Analysis as the Acts of
Criticism
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Do you like it or not…
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This deals with the natural response you have to a symbol.
“Enables us to be more sophisticated and
discriminating in explaining and understanding
symbols and our response to them,” (Foss p6).
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Acts and Artifacts as the Object of
Criticism
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The Act is the speech or musical performances, for example.
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When these acts are posted in writing somewhere, they
become Artifacts
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Acts and Artifacts are both objects of rhetorical criticism.
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Understanding Rhetorical Processes as
the Purpose of Criticism
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You have to begin by understanding symbols and how they
operate.
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“ Rhetorical Critics are interested in discovering what an
artifact teaches abut the nature of rhetoric– in other words,
critics engage in rhetorical criticism to make a contribution
to rhetorical theory.,” (Foss, p7).
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References
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Foss, S. Rhetorical Criticism ; Exploration and Practice. Long
Grove IL. Waveland Press. 2009
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Also visit the textbook’s website for Rhetorical Criticism
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The End…
Rachel Shelton