On Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical analysis is useful because it allows us to see more than just words. If someone is trying to persuade us, then rhetorical analysis allows us dissect that person’s argument. This dissection allows us to see through bullshit and get to the roots of that argument. We are in a better place to make a decision if we understand their argument and attempt at persuasion. We will not, necessarily, be fooled by some sort of fallacy that they commit while trying to persuade us. For example: your boss has a meeting with you and your co-workers to talk about the importance of compassion, customer service and not making excuses. He gives examples of his own outstanding customer service and makes valid arguments for the importance of hard work and compassion. He was very persuasive and his speech seemed to stem from the heart and you trust him because of the compassion and enthusiasm that he showed while giving that speech. But later you employed rhetorical analysis and found out that most of his examples of his own customer service were fabrications and that whenever you asked him to aid you in providing good, compassionate customer service he made excuses for why such things could not be done then you would be skeptical. You would realize that he tried to persuade you to trust a false authority (him). If you were a quality employee then you would probably see that it is important to have good customer service skills and to not just provide excuses, but to provide answers and results, but by analyzing your bosses argument and his character you would realize that he is not someone that you can simply trust, or take his word as true. You would realize that you will have to examine any argument that he makes to make sure that he is not just stating fiction as fact to get his way. By using rhetorical analysis, you would be a person that is more conscious of the things happening around you, and you would be better equipped to find the truth behind the fluff.
Rhetorical analysis will also allow us to better understand and appreciate the versatility of language and the vast beauty in the possible modifications that can be made to that language. By analyzing multiple persuasive (and non-persuasive) arguments we see how there are many ways to make a point, or express a desire, or say anything. With wordplay, and pun, and alliteration, and the plethora of other devices that can be used while trying to convince a piece of art can emerge. These devices of language can be employed just as lighting and perspective and allusion could be used in painting. Rhetorical analysis allows us to appreciate the beauty that comes with the customization of a language and the uniqueness that each author provides while attempting to form a persuasive argument.