Rhetorical Genres

Question 1

Rhetorical Genres definition

Answer 1

a group of acts unified by a constellation of forms that recurs in each rhetorical artifact representing
the genre

Question 2

Genre Criticism

Answer 2

1) Find text: find set of discourses/speeches that fit context and speaking situation.
- Ex: Commencement address
2) Form: Analyze content and structure. Look for common form/content elements.
3) Content: What are the themes discussed?
4) Organizing principle: Analyzes unifying function of the speech.

Question 3

Epideictic Rhetoric/ Genre

Answer 3

• Speeches of blame & praise
• Last to develop by Sophists because it wasn’t vital
• Speech that aims to influence the values and beliefs of the audience
• Does not call for immediate action from the audience

Question 4

Characteristics of Epideictic Rhetoric

Answer 4

1) Uses timeless, transcendent, or universal themes.
Ex: mentions God and spirituality.
2) Poetic, artistic, or literary.
3) Relies on pathos and ethos (more than logos)
4) Deploys common Topoi (common cultural themes for a community).
5) Persuades us to do something.

Question 5

Epediectic Rhetoric: Apologia Rhetoric

Answer 5

• Subgenre of Epideictic Rhetoric
• Speech of self-defense/ apologizing, reconciling credibility
• Apologia rhetoric has changed over time
• Centers on speaker’s worth or character

Question 6

Apologia Rhetoric: Classical Period

Answer 6

• Time of Aristotle/Plato
• Apologia was like forensic speech
• Occurred in courtroom setting
• Used for proving innocence in response to accusation
• Argumentative speeches involved in shifting blame & guiltlessness

Question 7

Apologia Rhetoric: Medieval Period

Answer 7

• Involved forgiveness to a higher power for past transgressions
• Was done to clear one’s name before death, martyrdom

Question 8

Apologia Rhetoric: Modern Period

Answer 8

• About honor and dignity
• It was the time of revolutions, wars
• Themes of self-sacrifice and religion
• People provided explanations of what they did & autobiographical narratives,

Question 9

Apologia Rhetoric: Contemporary Period

Answer 9

• Accepting responsibility, relying on public vision for moving forward
• Theme of family is present, everything will be said on TV- so part of public record
• Explanations: shifting the blame from individual to bigger issue, abstraction (avoiding the details)
• Ex: politician’s cheating on their wives