Rhetoric

Foss, Foss, and Trap describe rhetoric as being the term that captures all of these processes: how we perceive what we know what we experience, and how we act are the results of our own symbol use and that of those around us (1). Their definition also includes the use of symbols by humans and how humans construct the world they live in by symbolic choices and through representation. The key components of the definition of rhetoric are: humans, symbols, and communicate (Foss, Foss, and Trapp 1).
To me, Foss et. Al’s definition of rhetoric describes how humans communicate and interact with one another through the use of symbols. As humans, we see everything and every object as a representation of something meaningful in our lives. The way we see these things, these moments or things in our lives to be symbolic. Whether it is through, or for religious purposes, or to symbolize love, hate, feelings/emotions, or to even represent ownership, there is always a symbol, it is just human nature.
Rhetoric is extremely profound in digital cultures and in my everyday life. It is significant when I am online participating in my social networking, as well as when I am texting on my smartphone. I am constantly using symbols or abbreviations to communicate to my peers what I am doing, and/or how I am feeling; whether it is the abbreviation of LOL, FML, or by using and emoticon to show that I am happy, or smiling, sad, sticking my tongue out, etc. Social networking allows us to use rhetoric as well. Facebook for example, allows users access to applications where people can send “hearts” to one another that represent friendship, love, happiness, and things of that nature. So what are they? Symbols of course. It goes back to Foss, Foss, and Trapp’s description of rhetoric where the key components of the definition are: human, symbols, and communicate (1).


Foss, Sonja K., Foss, Karen A., Trapp, Robert. Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric. thrid. Print.


:) ;-P B-)