So I’m not going to be completely honest, I’m confused as hell when it comes to rhetoric. I had a class last year where we talked about how rhetoric is understanding terms and how we use these terms to “persuade” people. So when I read Foss, Foss, and Trapps introduction to rhetoric, I immediately said wtf? I think I reread it 5 times to try and understand it and I am still having a hard time. Anyways I am going to attempt to word this as best I can.
Foss, Foss, and Trapps define rhetoric as with 3 key components; human, symbols, and communicate. They state, “How we perceive, what we know, and what we experience, and how we act are the results of our own symbol use and that of those around us.” (Foss, Foss, Trapps, 1) Basically we as humans use symbols to communicate and express ourselves to each other. Whether it is through body language, facial expressions, or letters, we use these everyday to promote and read what we and other people are thinking or feeling.
One of the best examples I can think of for the use of Rhetoric defined by Foss, Foss, and Trapps is in social networking, but more so in MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) video games. One game I have most of my experience with is World of Warcraft (WoW). This game is a giant cesspool of people brought together by a common goal. You can chat via typing using symbols such as letters to make words or using emote commands which cause you online avatar to perform a physical act such as laughing or dancing. This Rhetoric makes us who we are in the online space, just as going to party and performing some sort of weird act would make you “that guy.” For example in my guild, which is a small community of people in the game, there is one guy who is known for his sarcasm and sexual innuendos. He uses words, phrases and emotes to make is humor.
As Foss, Foss, and Trapps say humans are the only animal that uses symbols to communicate and I agree with them. (Foss, Foss, Trapps, 2) We use them in games, social networking, or even signs. Think about the bathroom signs or even a traffic light. A traffic light is a perfect example to where the symbol doesn’t necessarily have to be a shape, its just a color we associate with an action eg. Stop, Go, Caution.
Symbols are everywhere and we use them to communicate our experiences to others socially and indiviually.
Works Cited
Foss, Sonja, Karen Foss, and Robert Trapps. Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric. Third. Print.
Matt the way you put this is really funny "game is a giant cesspool of people brought together by a common goal." And it is a good example. But there is a lot more to it right? What I mean is that with regards to the guy who is sarcastic and makes such innuendos aren't you part of a number of other communities that make it possible to read or understand these communications?
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