Covino and Jolliffe define rhetoric as "a primarily
verbal, situationally contingent, epistemic art that is both
philosophical and practical and gives rise to potentially active
texts" (5)
What does this definition mean? How would you
define rhetoric in your own words?
Key Terms:
Rhetoric
Discourse Community
The Appeals--Logos, Ethos, and Pathos
Enthymeme
Canons--Invention, Arrangement, Style, Memory, Delivery
Where do these rhetorical terms appear in professional writing
situations? How might we apply these rhetorical concepts to
the types of writing that professional writers perform?
One Example from "Using the Enthymeme as a Heuristic
in Professional Writing Courses" by Martin Jacobi in
JAC--
[This letter is in response to someone who
ordered merchandise from a mail-order house known for its quality
housewares. Three months later, after having received neither
her order nor word of it, the individual received this letter.]
WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN HANDLING
YOUR ORDER. YOUR ORDER IS NOW BEING SHIPPED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT
AND FASTEST WAY.
IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR MERCHANDISE, OR HAVE MADE AN ALTERNATIVE
ARRANGEMENT WITH US, PLEASE REFUSE DELIVERY OF ANY UNNECESSARY
SHIPMENT.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US COLLECT FOR ANY QUESTION YOU MAY
HAVE OR MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR US TO PICK UP THE MERCHANDISE AT
OUR COST.
AGAIN, WE SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY AND INCONVENIENCE
CAUSED BY OUR ERROR. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND
PATIENCE REGARDING THIS MATTER AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING
YOU IN THE FUTURE.
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