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Understanding Rhetorical Situations: Exigence, Audience, and Constraints, Study notes of Rhetoric

An introduction to the concept of a rhetorical situation, explaining the role of exigence, audience, and constraints in persuasive communication. Exigence refers to the motivating factor behind a rhetor's argument, while audience refers to the individuals the rhetor is addressing. Constraints include various factors that influence both the rhetor's argument and the audience's interpretation. Examples and real-life situations are used to illustrate these concepts.

Typology: Study notes

2021/2022

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The Rhetorical Situation
A rhetorical situation is any circumstance in which one or more people employ rhetoric, finding
all the available means of persuasion. Speakers and writers who use rhetoric are called rhetors.
Exigence
All rhetorical situations originate with an exigence. The exigence is what motivates a rhetor to
argue in the first place. Why does the rhetor need to make this point? What will this argument do
for the world?
Examples of exigence:
A congressman delivers a speech arguing that we need stricter gun control. The exigence is that
the congressman believes stricter gun control will lead to less gun violence.
A pastor writes and delivers a eulogy at a funeral. The exigence is that it is customary to reflect
on a deceased person’s life and accomplishments.
A defense attorney argues before a jury that her client is innocent of murder. The exigence is that
it is the defense attorney’s job to ensure that her client—even if guiltyreceives a fair trial.
Audience
All rhetors write or speak for an audience, the body of listeners or readersreal or imagined
that the rhetor is arguing to. There are two kinds of audience:
Immediate audience: the individuals literally listening to or reading the rhetor’s
argument. For example, in the president’s State of the Union address, those hearing the
address (representatives, senators, people watching from home, etc.) are the president’s
immediate audience.
Mediated audience: the individuals for whom the argument is intended. These
individuals may or may not actually listen to or read the rhetor’s argument. For example,
in the State of the Union address, all American citizenseven those not tuning in to the
address—are the president’s mediated audience.
Constraints
Rhetorical situations are based on the relationship between the rhetor, the audience, and the
subject matter, but they are also based on various constraints that not only affect how the rhetor
argues but how the audience interprets the argument. Common constraints include:
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The Rhetorical Situation

A rhetorical situation is any circumstance in which one or more people employ rhetoric , finding all the available means of persuasion. Speakers and writers who use rhetoric are called rhetors.

Exigence

All rhetorical situations originate with an exigence. The exigence is what motivates a rhetor to argue in the first place. Why does the rhetor need to make this point? What will this argument do for the world?

Examples of exigence:

A congressman delivers a speech arguing that we need stricter gun control. The exigence is that the congressman believes stricter gun control will lead to less gun violence.

A pastor writes and delivers a eulogy at a funeral. The exigence is that it is customary to reflect on a deceased person’s life and accomplishments.

A defense attorney argues before a jury that her client is innocent of murder. The exigence is that it is the defense attorney’s job to ensure that her client—even if guilty—receives a fair trial.

Audience

All rhetors write or speak for an audience , the body of listeners or readers—real or imagined— that the rhetor is arguing to. There are two kinds of audience:

Immediate audience : the individuals literally listening to or reading the rhetor’s argument. For example, in the president’s State of the Union address, those hearing the address (representatives, senators, people watching from home, etc.) are the president’s immediate audience.

Mediated audience : the individuals for whom the argument is intended. These individuals may or may not actually listen to or read the rhetor’s argument. For example, in the State of the Union address, all American citizens—even those not tuning in to the address—are the president’s mediated audience.

Constraints

Rhetorical situations are based on the relationship between the rhetor, the audience, and the subject matter, but they are also based on various constraints that not only affect how the rhetor argues but how the audience interprets the argument. Common constraints include:

 Knowledge of the rhetor and audience about the subject matter

Example: A rhetor alludes to a quotation from the Declaration of Independence which she knows the audience will understand.

 Beliefs held by the rhetor and audience about the subject matter

Example: A rhetor argues against tattoos by citing a passage from the Bible condemning them.

 Culture of the rhetor and audience

Example: A rhetor argues that supporting the war effort is “part of being an American.”

 The time of the argument

Example: A rhetor has a hard time stirring the emotions of the audience at 7: a.m.

 The timing of the argument (the Greeks called this kairos —the idea that a good rhetor will know when it is the right time to make an argument)

Example of good kairos : Following a fatal school shooting, a rhetor argues for stricter gun control laws.

Example of bad kairos : A rhetor makes a tasteless joke too soon after a tragic event.

 The place of the argument

Example: A rhetor delivers a compelling argument, but the audience is too distracted by the sound of nearby construction machinery to pay attention.

 Relationship between rhetor and audience

Example: A political candidate gets a warm reception in her home state, but when she gives speeches in other states, the audience is more hostile toward her.