Rhetorical criticism
Rhetorical criticism analyzes the symbolic artifacts of discourse—the words, phrases, images, gestures, performances, texts, films, etc. that people use to communicate. Rhetorical analysis shows how the artifacts work, how well they work, and how the artifacts, as discourse, inform and instruct, entertain and arouse, and convince and persuade the audience; as such, discourse includes the possibility of morally improving the reader, the viewer, and the listener. Rhetorical criticism studies and analyzes the purpose of the words, sights, and sounds that are the symbolic artifacts used for communications among people.
Rhetorical criticism as an intellectual practice is known from the Classical Greek period (5th–4th c. BC). In the dialogue Phaedrus (c. 370 BC), Plato presents the philosopher Socrates as analyzing a speech by Lysias (230e–235e) the logographer (speech writer) to determine whether or not it is praiseworthy. Its current role has been summarised as follows.
Criticism is an art, not a science. It is not a scientific method; it uses subjective methods of argument; it exists on its own, not in conjunction with other methods of generating knowledge (i.e., social scientific or scientific).
Its academic purpose is greater understanding and appreciation in human relations:
By improving understanding and appreciation, the critic can offer new, and potentially exciting, ways for others to see the world. Through understanding we also produce knowledge about human communication; in theory, this should help us to better govern our interactions with others.
Rhetorical criticism is the qualitative analysis of a text or cultural artifact to understand how it functions to persuade an audience and create meaning within a public sphere. It involves a deep dive into specific communicative acts—from speeches and advertisements to social media posts—using various methodologies like ideological, narrative, or metaphoric analysis to reveal how rhetoric shapes identity, values, and power structures. The goal is to produce an argument about the text’s meaning and effectiveness, and often to challenge or reveal oppressive ideologies or to empower marginalized voices.
- Academic: To advance the study of rhetoric and communication by providing new insights into how texts function.
- Ethical: To expose unethical manipulations or reveal the implicit cultural values embedded in a text.
- Political: To reveal hegemonic power structures, critique oppressive discourses, and amplify the voices of marginalized groups.
- Personal: To improve one’s own rhetorical effectiveness by understanding how symbols and messages are crafted and received.
Key Aspects of the Process
- Focus on Artifacts: Critics analyze cultural texts and artifacts, including visual, oral, written, and digital forms.
- Argument-Driven: The analysis culminates in a specific argument about the text’s meaning and persuasive strategies, supported by evidence.
- Multiple Methods: A variety of methods exist, such as:
- Ideological Criticism: Analyzes dominant and suppressed ideas within a text.
- Narrative Criticism: Examines how stories and storytelling create meaning.
- Metaphoric Criticism: Focuses on the function and impact of metaphors.
- Cluster Criticism: Looks at the recurrence and intensity of certain words.
- Pentadic Criticism: Analyzes the five elements of motive in rhetoric (act, scene, agent, agency, purpose).
How it Contributes to a Better World
- Critical Engagement: It fosters critical thinking by encouraging people to question and analyze the messages they encounter daily.
- Empowerment: By exposing how power operates through rhetoric, it empowers individuals to become more engaged and active participants in shaping their world.
- Social Awareness: It provides deeper understanding of human identity, cultural values, and the ways ideologies are constructed and reinforced through communication.