Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Bitzer on the rhetorical situation, does it mean there's only one right answer?

   The analysis of how Bitzer views the rhetorical situation heavily considers and values the mediation of the situation itself before any 'influence, change, or proposal' is really communicated. He was convinced that not merely does rhetoric influence change, but that it simultaneously alters the view of truth and perception of the one who is mulling over the situation. How it happens is that the rhetorical discourse first must come into existence by the rhetorical situation (and it does so quite naturally through exigency). Whether or not the situation is responded to, however, is up in the air. Discourse then follows as the chosen and most fitted response to the situation at hand. The response serves it's purpose according to 'the rules' or what could even be viewed as 'a set expectation or standard' that is observed from the situation.
   I agree that the situation is the root of all things stimulating discourse and change, however as Bitzer portrays it I disagree after a little more thought. Perhaps too much thought... but if we are to successfully communicate and address the situation through proper discourse, reaching our goal and purpose, then there must exist some 'ultimate' situation. If Bitzer means 'fitting response' as one that is 100% correct and the situation exists as something outside of human perception or influence. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Bitzer could be describing the situation as some sort of universal truth. Does this mean that there might be an ultimate response? Only one or a few? Perhaps Bitzer describes the situation as an object that more than one person might observe, but see from different angles depending on where they stand. To describe the object in the shadow would sound different than to describe the object in the reflection of the sun. My thoughts, anyways.
   Bitzer continues to remind us that then rhetoric is the method/tool by which we discourse. It serves as our guide word choice, our checks and balances, and all other rulers used to see if our meaning is getting across and making a change.

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