Summary

In The Rhetorical Situation, Llyod Bitzer provides rhetoric is fixed. Specially, Bitzer argues
that rhetorical situations indicate by rhetorical discourse. As the author himself puts it, rhetoric
is situational. For example he said that rhetorical discourse comes into existence as a response
to situation, in the same sense that an answer comes into existence in response to a question, or a
solution in response to a problem. Although some people believe that rhetorical creates the
perception of exigency, Bitzer insists that rhetorical discourse is called into existence by
situation. In sum, then, his view is that rhetoric has little control.

I agree. In my view, the argument that Bitzer makes, a question must exist because we are
looking for the answer. For instance, if we are looking for a solution, how would we find the
solution if we dont even have a problem? In addition, we have to have a problem to find the
solution of that problem. Some might object, of course, on the grounds that many problems
remain unsolved. Yet, I would argue that I understand some problem stays unsolved but that
doesnt means they dont have a solution; therefore, the problem controls the solution which
means the rhetorical situation have to exist as a necessary condition of rhetorical discourse.
Overall, then, I believe that Lloyd Bitzer make an important point when he says a rhetorical
situation must exist as a necessary condition of rhetorical discourse