Journal Entry # 6

1. What does Bitzer not mean by “rhetorical situation”? In other words, how does his view differ from past views that readers might compare to his?

In the rhetoric article, Blitzer questions what the characteristics are of a “rhetorical situation.” He also questions how the characteristics would result in the creation of rhetoric. Blitzer names some standard characteristics such as “audience, speaker, subject, occasion and speech.” Even though the presence of rhetorical discourse might indicate the presence of rhetorical situation, Blitzer makes it clear that situations are not always accompanied by discourse.

2. What does Bitzer mean by “rhetorical situation”?

By “rhetorical situation”, Blitzer means the natural context of persons, events, objects relations, and exigence which strongly invites utterance. Rhetorical situation can easily describe the characteristics and location of which that inspires thought. For example: where a philosopher does philosophy.

3. Explain what “exigence” is. Give your own example of an exigence someone could respond to in writing.

Blitzer describes “exigence” as any imperfection marked by urgency. An exigence that someone could respond to in writing is Global Warming. They could start to become more eco-friendly and spread the trend through discourse to inspire others to do the same.