Elizabeth Hasseld Losh, Elizabeth M., Jonathan Alexander, Kevin Cannon, and Zander Cannon.

Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag.

The word rhetoric was developed by ancient greeks from the verb eiro, or to say. However, rhetoric is not just about speaking. The word rhetoric was developed to encourage and facilitate discussions and debates. Rhetoric is the art of thinking about how you speak and using your speech effectively and persuasively when communicating your thoughts and ideas to others. Rhetoric means taking the entire situation into consideration while the conversation is occurring. In theory, rhetoric is supposed to provide a set of skills that help people develop thoughts and ideas. Most people have a skewed perception of the word rhetoric. When I think of rhetoric, I automatically think of rhetorical. Rhetorical often carries negative connotations, with people often associating the word with shutting down conversation and debate, such as a rhetorical question. Some questions are called rhetorical because no answer is required or the answer is implied. Rhetorical questions are used in every day speech by most people, wether they realize it or not. The majority of negative connotations associated with rhetoric can be attributed to ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Plato was a student of Socrates and he founded an early school of thought. Plato thought english teachers were teaching their students to be deceiving towards others instead of using rhetoric to better themselves. Plato saw rhetoric as an empty, unwholesome distraction that diverted attention from civic and philosophical matters. He associated rhetoric with make-up or cosmetics, both hide flaws without eliminating them. Plato saw rhetoric as a way for adults to lie about the truth, be deceitful, and disregard the past and tradition. Platos student Aristotle had a very different idea of the word rhetoric. Aristotle saw plays and rhetoric as an educational tool that could encourage people to develop an understanding of pity and fear. Plato thought that people could use examples of violence and deception to learn how to not act. In other words, they set an example of what not to do. Plato thought rhetoric was one of the foundations of education as a whole.

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