The Significance of Rhetorical Situations in Writing

Every piece of writing, whether it's a novel, an essay, a letter, an email, or even a text message, serves a purpose and targets a specific audience. Writing, in its essence, is a means of communication that aims to touch, persuade, encourage, or evoke a reaction from its readers. When a reader engages with a piece of writing, they should be able to discern the author's identity, thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and more. The connection between the author and the reader is the linchpin of effective writing.

Without it, a story becomes a mere collection of words on paper, devoid of meaning and impact. In essence, writing is like a tango; it requires both parties, the writer and the reader, to be fully present for the dance to be successful.

Understanding Rhetorical Situations

In his essay titled "Rhetorical Situations and Their Constituents," published in the 1997 Rhetoric Review Journal, Keith Grant Davie delves into the complex intersections of rhetorical discourse and provides a comprehensive framework for defining various terms related to rhetorical situations and their components.

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Davie's objective is to move beyond a simplistic view of causation and instead define rhetorical situations as intricate correlations—combinations of multiple influencing factors that give rise to rhetoric and are influenced by it (Davie, 264). He emphasizes the importance of asking why something happened, rather than solely focusing on how it happened, as a means of fostering a deeper understanding of rhetorical situations.

Before encountering Davie's essay, my understanding of rhetorical situations was rather limited. While I was familiar with the individual components of the term, I struggled to grasp how they coalesced into a coherent concept.

My initial reaction was to seek a clear definition through online searches, but the results only added to my confusion. It became evident that the most effective approach was to engage directly with Davie's essay to gain a deeper understanding of rhetorical situations.

After several readings and extensive research, I emerged with a more nuanced comprehension of rhetorical situations and their constituents. Rhetorical situations encompass the scenarios that prompt authors to employ various communication strategies to reach their audience effectively, regardless of the audience's characteristics. Davie encourages writers to become rhetors capable of discerning the fundamental issues concealed within seemingly trivial subjects and persuading their audiences to engage with those issues. This perspective equips writers with a solid foundation for making informed decisions in the composition process (Davie, 267).

Rhetorical Situations in Practice: A Nike Commercial

An illustrative example of a rhetorical situation can be found in a Nike commercial titled "Possibilities," released in 2013. The commercial opens with a young girl jogging, accompanied by a narrator who asserts, "Listen, if you can run a mile, run a race." Subsequently, the girl finds herself in the midst of a New York City marathon, as the narrator exclaims, "You know what? Run a marathon!" The commercial continues in a similar vein, with the narrator motivating individuals from various sports and activities to push their limits.

This Nike commercial effectively demonstrates a rhetorical situation. The rhetor in this case is the motivational narrator, and the targeted audience comprises athletes and individuals seeking inspiration. The narrator's persuasive message revolves around the idea that stepping out of one's comfort zone can lead to remarkable achievements. The exigence for Nike, the rhetor, is to inspire individuals to realize their untapped potential. Through its persuasive communication, the commercial creates a rhetorical situation that encourages viewers to challenge themselves and embrace new possibilities.

As someone viewing the commercial from a different vantage point, I found it to be remarkably persuasive. The rhetor's exigence was to instill a "just do it" mentality in the audience, and the motivational narrative successfully resonated with viewers. The commercial effectively created a rhetorical situation by appealing to its audience and compelling them to consider their potential for greatness.

Rhetorical Situations in Personal Experience: Gloria Anzaldua's "How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

Gloria Anzaldua's essay, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue," is a powerful testament to the presence of rhetorical situations in personal experiences. Anzaldua's narrative skillfully addresses issues of identity, cultural imperialism, racism, and sexism, shedding light on the challenges faced by a Chicana woman in the Western world. She underscores the importance of preserving her cultural heritage and language in the face of relentless attempts at suppression. Anzaldua eloquently states, "For a people who are neither Spanish nor live in a country in which Spanish is the first language; for a people who live in a country in which English is the reigning tongue but who are not Anglo; for a people who cannot entirely identify with either standard (formal, Castilian) Spanish nor standard English, what recourse is left to them but to create their own language?" (Anzaldua, 33).

As someone who has faced identity struggles, I found a profound connection with Anzaldua's experiences. Her narrative resonated with me on a personal level, as I too have grappled with issues of identity, language, and belonging. When I first arrived in the United States at the age of two, I was thrust into an entirely different culture and had to learn a new language. I vividly recall being teased for my accent and struggling with English during my early years. While my English improved over time, I faced a different set of challenges when I returned to Sudan, where my family and friends critiqued my "Americanized" tongue.

Anzaldua's ability to articulate her experiences and connect with readers is a testament to her prowess as a writer. Her essay creates a rhetorical situation by engaging readers in a shared understanding of the challenges she faces. By narrating her struggles with language and identity, she appeals to two distinct audiences: those who sympathize with her experiences and those who can relate to the hardships she endures. Anzaldua's writing serves as a powerful example of how a rhetorical situation can be crafted to reach diverse audiences and convey a compelling message.

Conclusion

The concept of rhetorical situations underpins the art of effective writing, as it guides authors in shaping their messages to resonate with specific audiences. Keith Grant Davie's insights into rhetorical situations emphasize the importance of understanding why communication occurs, rather than just how it occurs. This perspective empowers writers to make informed decisions in their composition process, ultimately enhancing their ability to connect with readers.

Rhetorical situations are not confined to academic discourse; they manifest in various forms of communication, including advertisements and personal narratives. The Nike commercial "Possibilities" and Gloria Anzaldua's essay "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" both exemplify the presence of rhetorical situations in diverse contexts. These examples demonstrate how effective communication can inspire, motivate, and engage audiences, creating connections that resonate on a personal level.

Moving forward, I recognize the significance of incorporating rhetorical situations into my own writing endeavors. Whether I am crafting an argumentative essay, a persuasive advertisement, or a personal narrative, I must always consider the purpose of my writing and the audience I intend to reach. Understanding and harnessing the power of rhetorical situations is the key to creating meaningful and impactful communication that transcends mere words on a page.