Rhetoric: what's that? It is quite possible that you've never heard this term before (and are therefore quite alarmed that we'll be talking about it this semester!). Or, if you have run across “rhetoric,” you’ve probably heard the word used in less-than-positive ways: people talk about “empty rhetoric” and even say “it was all just rhetoric” to imply that someone’s expression was insincere, meaningless, even duplicitous. “Campaign rhetoric” is another example: it's often implied that “rhetoric” and “reality” are at odds.

Actually, “rhetoric” is simply effective communication. It represents, as Greek philosopher Aristotle said, the act of discovering the “available means of persuasion" in any given situation. Whether it’s used for good or ill depends on the communicator.

Skillful and inspiring leaders use rhetoric to persuade: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech is an example of highly effective rhetoric, and King is still considered one of the U.S.’s greatest rhetors. But all of us use rhetoric regularly, even if we don't know it, so we might also consider youtuber GBeck’s assertion (for kids?) that rhetoric can “help you stay up later, eat more candy, and have lots more fun with your friends, too.”

This animated introduction from Camille Langston is an excellent start: