Understanding the Rhetorical Situation
Ever wondered why some speeches or texts are so powerful? The answer lies in the rhetorical situation—the complete picture of a communication event. To excel in AP Language, you'll need to master this concept along with claims and evidence.
Rhetoric has evolved from simply "discovering all means of persuasion" to a broader concept: using language to construct meaning in any communication. The rhetorical situation includes several critical components: Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Construct, Exigence, Choices, Appeals, and Tone—all working within a specific context.
Context refers to what's happening at the time and place of the communication. For example, Eisenhower's D-Day address took place in 1944 during WWII, when fear and hatred of Nazi Germany were widespread. When analyzing context, always provide textual evidence that supports your contextual claims, such as Eisenhower's reference to "elimination of Nazi Tyranny."
Remember this! Every rhetorical analysis needs both abstract elements (like context) and concrete elements (like exigence). Always connect your observations to specific words in the text.
The exigence is the specific event that triggers the speaker to respond—like the Allies gaining the upper hand in WWII, prompting Eisenhower to address troops before the invasion. The speaker is the person making the claim, whose credibility and background significantly impact how the message is received.