Up to Snuff #59: Rhetoric
By, Afua Serwah Osei-Bonsu
Rhetoric
The art of speaking with elegance and force, declamation: oratory; the art of skillful use of language in prose writing.
The Consolidated Webster Multi-Pictured Encyclopedia Dictionary
Rhetorical as in rhetorical problem solving
“Effectively communicating the results of that work.” “Communicating effectively the technical problems that they solved.”
“Rhetoric, however has more general, less negative meaning than its popular connotation suggests, defined most simply it means “effective communication.””
“Effectively communicating the essentials of technical problem solving.”
“Communication refers to activities ranging from writing formal technical reports to running a meeting”
“Effective is something that an audience can understand and deal with significantly.”
“To upper management, peer experts, subordination or the public outside all need to have the results of the technical problem solving explained to them clearly so that they can act upon what they learn in ways appropriate to their positions.”
Technical and Professional Writing by George E. Kennedy and Tracy T. Montgomery
“Art of Oratory, to say, to speak, orator, more at word, the art of speaking or writing effectively, the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times, the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion, skill in the effective use of speech, a type or mode of language or speech”
“Rhetorical question, given to speech, grandiloquent, asked merely for rhetorical effect with no answer expected.”
Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
Books:
Rhetoric Aristotle
Rhetoric A Very Short Introduction
Rhetorical Devices a Handbook and Activities for Student Writers
Rhetorical Devices
Rhetoric Alive Principles of Persuasion
Rhetoric for Writing Program Administrators
Rhetorical Theory Second Edition Borchers