Rhetoric

Rhetoric is valued technique in oratory. The word comes from the Greek term for orator and is used for the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. The three branches of rhetoric - deliberative, judicial, and epideictic – cover the most common ways we communicate.

Deliberative rhetoric seeks to persuade or dissuade a person to think or act in a certain way. It is about the future. We hear it in political speeches, in formal presentations or even in advertising where you persuade someone to buy or do something or dissuade them from other products or brands.

Judicial rhetoric seeks to accuse or defend someone. It is about the past. It is the kind of discourse that happens in a courtroom, in law making – where parties deliberate over whether actions were legal or ethical. It is really about justifying actions and can include personal justifications as well.

Epideictic rhetoric is used to praise (or blame) a person for their actions. It is about the present. It seeks to highlight and identify the qualities and characteristics of a person that make them great (or not great). We see it in obituaries, eulogies, testimonials and nomination speeches.

The purpose of rhetoric is a persuasive effect. However, it is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content. This is because in the bid to be impressive, we tend to go overboard. So while we may stand our ground, it may be shaky ground. We must escape the trap of going off course.

Past, present or future… whatever be the way…

Rhetoric should persuade without going astray!

~ Pravin K Sabnis