Rhetoric: The Art of Public Speaking

Have you listened to someone speak and felt so convinced about their own point of view? Or heard a politician give a speech during some manifesto night only for you to reignite your hopes that the person is the right person to be voted for? That's the power of rhetoric!

You see, rhetoric began as a civic art in ancient Greece, and the word is derived from Rhetorike in ancient Greek, while in Latin it is known as Rhetorica, which means the act of speech, while a rhetor refers to a public speaker. Rhetoric in Roman culture and society is a skill that one must possess. It is acquired, learnt, and not inherited or gotten naturally, unlike the act of speaking, which does not need any formal learning or practice. Rhetoric, in its broadest sense, is the theory and practice of eloquence, whether spoken or written. Spoken rhetoric is oratory. Rhetoric defines the rules that should govern all prose composition or speech designed to influence the judgment or feelings of people.

DEFINITION OF RHETORIC

We have different scholars and philosophers who defined Rhetoric and some of their definitions are: Aristotle who is known as the father of Rhetoric defines Rhetoric “as the ability in any particular case to see available means of persuasion.” that is emphasizing on winning an argument using the method of persuasion rather than trying to sway the people’s emotions.

Plato define Rhetoric as “the act of enchanting the soul” to Plato rhetoric enables one to coax easily by using convincing words. Cicero another scholar define rhetoric as “one great art comprised of five lesser arts: inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, and pronunciatio.” This are various definition of Rhetoric given by scholars just to give more understanding of the word.

 As a business owner, a student, a copywriter, a therapist, a friend and even as a human being generally, it's necessary to possess great communication skills as these would be very useful in some events that would happen in your life. Here is why I advice you acquire it:

TO ENHANCE DECISION MAKING: Rhetoric is an effective skill that can be used to compel people to make or change their decision about a particular subject, which normal speakers have failed to achieve. It has a way of impacting or controlling people’s ability to reason. It is important for speakers to shape their mode of reasoning to effectively influence their audience. Also, there are sometimes that what you say would help people navigate the course of their lives.

TO PROMOTE CRITICAL THINKING: Rhetoric provides a framework for critical thinking in us. It makes us reason beyond normal; this is a result of trying to get the right frame of words to use during an argument, speech, or presentation. Shallow thinkers do not properly understand this kind of thinking mechanism. This is why you always want to listen to some people because you know that they always make sense. You find yourself saying 'Oh she's so smart! How does she think? Why is it that his suggestions are always accepted?'. That, my dear reader, is the power of rhetoric.

TO IMPROVE ONE’S WRITING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Rhetoric enhances one’s writing skills as it helps one breed and gain more knowledge on grammatical flow and punctuation. Knowing how to use your rhetorical tools can help improve one’s communication skills. Rhetoric is a craft that must be learnt and used judiciously. That's why we have some best selling authors and great TedX speakers — they know how to craft their ways with words. Writers or speakers use rhetoric as a form of inspiration, motivation, and persuasion. Rhetoric enhances the use of language creatively and shows how to produce change with it. This defense tool is used by smart rhetors in ancient Roman society to convince their listeners. Examples of these people are Joyce Meyer, James Clear, Chimamanda Adichie, Myles Munroe, Ben Carson and the list goes on and on!

FOR INFLUENCING ONE’S AUDIENCE OR READERS: Sequel to the previous point, rhetoric is a tool that increases one’s field of influence. This can be carried out by using different persuasive or convincing means to stir the people or audience; this can prompt people to change their minds about certain matters. Those who have successfully mastered the act and skill of rhetoric are the ones with this power of influence. It is a powerful communication tool that has helped and greatly improved the ancient Roman culture and society, as well as the modernized society we find ourselves in today. Examples of modern-day rhetors are Leke Adler, Sam Adeyemi, etc.

Rhetoric has successfully differentiated between the act of speaking and true public speaking.Rhetoric as a tool of communication has helped students develop capacities to analyze, communicate, interpret, and engage in successful public speaking and writing. Rhetoric not only deals with academics but also helps to shape children’s behavior; according to Brenckle, "parents use rhetoric when they try to shape their children’s behavior and uphold certain values." Rhetoric helps to build trust and credibility and uphold important values and skills.

So, do you see reasons to have this skill now?