Rhetoric Defined

Over the course of human history, Rhetoric has taken on many different definitions. James Herrick would describe rhetoric as the “systematic study and intentional practice of effective symbolic expression”. In my opinion, this is one of the best definitions of rhetoric because it doesn’t come off as a good or bad skill. At its very essence, rhetoric is something we all use. It doesn’t matter if you are a politician or trying to get your roommate to take the trash out, we all use it. Rhetoric is as good or bad as however someone decides to use it. This is what makes Herrick’s definition much more acceptable than others as it simply reiterates this fact within in. However, as far as how effective rhetoric can be is also dependent upon the user. If your using rhetoric, but without any proper knowledge or legitimacy then it probably won’t be very effective. On the flip side, people who know how to use it can be a very powerful skill for better or worse.

Aristotle on the other hand offers a similar, but much broader definition to rhetoric that focuses more on humanity as a whole. Herrick and Aristotle provide a similar stream of thought though with this idea of it being something we all use in humanity. This also would then correlate with the idea of the “art of bullshit” as rhetoric at times can be bs entirely dependent upon the users intent. We all have used rhetoric in this form at some point, but to label it as only so would not do it justice. Rhetoric is much more than that which is why it keeps getting a wide range of definitions. I would argue that even calling rhetoric an art is a stretch as it is less of an art and more of a skill we all possess. I think leaving it as a more broad and simple term is a much more ideal label.