Labors of the Multitude

In the 2^nd chapter in his book Rhetoric for Radicals, Jason Del Gandio wrote about how technology creates a separation in the way that we communicate and about the rhetorical approaches used in media. Technology today (especially social media) creates a separation between the way we express ourselves through writing, public speaking, and conversations with each other by allowing us to communicate in so many ways. For example, the way we converse in text messaging differs from the way we converse with one another. We communicate in different ways based off of whom we are communicating with and how we are communicating with them.

The four rhetorical approaches are persuasion, argumentation, storytelling, and invitation. Persuasion can change, shape, or sustain someone’s views and it occurs all the time. The four basic approaches to persuasion are logic, emotion, values, and credibility. Logic can take on many forms. It can be an argument, story, or basic description. Emotion can be manipulated and it can be used for socially just purposes.  “Emotions can be used for love, honor, encouragement, excitement, humor, and respect,” (Gandio 72). It can easily manipulate our choices. Values guide our daily decisions and actions. “Values are often used as persuasive tools, and this is usually done by using values to either unite or divide people,” (Gandio 72). Credibility has three characteristics: likeability, trustworthiness, and knowledgeableness.

Argumentation consists of three things: making a claim, providing evidence, and using reason. Argumentation allows you to “[take] a stand on an issue and [assert] your opinion...,” (Gandio 76). A claim that you make is your own opinion. Providing evidence allows you to support what your claim is. Reasoning allows you to further explain your claim and evidence.

Storytelling allows you to give meaning to whatever you are talking about. “We tell stories in order to evoke the meaning and importance of events, issues, struggles, and experiences. Good stories are based on human identification: we identify with the story, allowing us to see the world through that narrative frame. We then envision ourselves as the characters living out that story,” (Gandio 81). Stories are composed of five basic parts: characters, action, scene, conflict and resolution, and plot.

Invitation allows others to state their opinions and positions on a specific issue rather than persuading them to take on a particular position. There is more than one way to do an invitational rhetoric. Invitational rhetoric can be used in all forms of communication. Invitational rhetoric should be used honestly, should clarify intentions, and much more. It allows you and your audience to state their opinions on a particular issue. Each person can state his or her positions on a particular issue.

The Media uses the four rhetorical approaches to spread the news. The media allows everyone to have his or her own opinions. They use these tactics so that they can allow everyone to have a particular opinion on a certain issue.