Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetoric according to Trish Roberts- Miller is the study of potential misunderstanding. The word potential is very important as many factors can alter the effectiveness of an argument. Rhetorical analysis entails an in-depth look at the arguments presented by individuals and outlining the rational and reasoning of the situation or scenario. Without an ability to critically analyse a piece one would not be able to make informed decisions and it may be quite easy for many persons to miss the true topic at hand or the stasis. In analysing Hip hop vs. America it was evident that there were many errors in reasoning/ fallacies and it showed that without the study of rhetorical analysis it is quite simple to lose sight of the real topic at hand.

Being able to identify fallacies to me is the most important aspect of rhetorical analysis. Once you are able to identify them and have been privy to the many ways they can be used to buy an audience, then one would be better able avoid using them in an argument and know how to counter them with an opponent who knows no other technique.

Many of us are guilty of using fallacies and may not know that we are guilty of such. Red herring, ad hominem, bandwagon, false cause, false dilemma and hasty generalisations have become so integrated into many of us and our arguments that it is like second nature. Dr. Michael Dyson in the clip provided n ‘Hip hop vs. America was the most prolific presenter on the panel but he was also guilty of using many fallacies for example red herring throughout his presentation. He like many others, and given our current political state our political leaders as well, veer from the topic at hand and throw in issues that do not directly related.

In the end, rhetorical analysis is not just a theory that we should leave in the room at the end of class but a habit that we should adopt and integrate into our life styles. Rhetoric and rhetorical analysis will always be around and being able to identify the fallacies and steer away from them in our arguments can and will minimise the potential for misunderstanding.