Rhetorical Criticism Sonja Foss
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Rhetorical Criticism (Foss) a qualitative research method that is designed for the investigation and explanation of symbolic acts and artifacts for the purpose of understanding rhetorical processes Symbol.
According to Sonja K. Foss, author of the brilliant book, Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice, there are four steps to doing effective rhetorical criticism: Select an artifact to evaluate; Analyze the artifact with one or multiple rhetorical criticisms and analyses in mind.
Foss might know some rhetorical criticism, but she doesn't know how to edit. She used student essays as examples. Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration & Practice by Sonja K. Foss 'Rhetorical criticism is the investigation and evaluation of rhetorical acts and artifacts for the purpose of understanding rhetorical processes' (5.

“When new measures spring forth and the familiar, failed, traitorous, subservient, corrupt [people] and tyrants are rejected, then the opportunity for the cultivation of the pure soil will increase in its scope and the seeds of this plant will take root deep in the good land, primarily the lands of the Arabs, and the land of revelation and the messages, and the land of prophets. God says: “Like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches reach to the heavens. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord” [Koranic verse].

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Then, everything will become possible on the road of goodness and happiness that is not defiled by the feet of the invaders or by their evil will or the corruption of the corrupt among those who have been corrupted and who spread corruption in the land of the Arabs…Good people and those who are distinguished by their faith and by their faithful, honorable stands of jihad will become the real leaders of the gathering of the faithful everywhere on earth…” (Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice, 57).

– Saddam Hussein, February 26 1991 speech regarding the withdrawal of Iraq from Kuwait.

Rhetoric is the art of effective or pervasive speaking, according to The Oxford Dictionary. It is synonymous with communication. The way that we communicate is a subject of study in itself, as it is used in our every day lives. Rhetoric developed as a way of better communication, so that it can be more effective. Rhetorical criticism is studying this effectiveness.

There are different methods to rhetorical criticism, including neo-Aristotelian, cluster, ideological, generative, and more. The most commonly used is the neo-Aristotelian method, which will be used to evaluate Hussein’s speech. This method, “applies characteristics to the role of a source of communication to explain the nature and effects of a communicative act” (Methods of Rhetorical Criticism: A Twentieth-century Perspective, 20). In other words, rhetorical criticism evaluates the effectiveness and possible effectiveness of speech, words and literature.

Rhetorical Criticism Sonja Foss

Each piece of writing or speech is meant to be interpreted in a certain way. Upon defeat after the invasion of Kuwait, Iraq withdrew from Kuwait and Saddam Hussein made the earlier speech. His speech was meant to be interpreted by his people in a certain way. The effects of his speech are studied through rhetorical criticism.

Many can write a speech full of rhetoric and inspiration; others can write an effective speech. “When new measures spring forth and the familiar, failed, traitorous, subservient, corrupt [people] and tyrants are rejected, then the opportunity for the cultivation of the pure soil will increase…” The rhetoric here suggests that the world has been corrupted, presumably by the United States and alike nations, and that Iraq and the Muslim religion have an obligation and purpose to purify the world. Be aware, this speech is after the defeat and withdrawal from Kuwait. Hussein is responding to the defeat in a way that suggests they will have other opportunities to fulfill their obligations and this was like a lost battle. This was his purpose in this quote – but was it effective?

“Good people and those who are distinguished by their faith and by their faithful, honorable stands of jihad will become the real leaders…” For Muslims, this strikes a sense of pride and accomplishment with their decisions. This kind of rhetoric is similar to what many use in other cultures as well. Throughout his entire speech, much longer than the above quoted, Hussein makes similar statements.

To analyze the effectiveness of Hussein’s speech, a rhetorical critic would look at the invention, organization, style, and delivery. As for invention, his actions are commonly justified by the Koran which justifies his actions with Arab people – this personalizes his speech so it is relatable with the Arabs. Iraq has long considered Kuwait to be their land, adding more justification to his actions. So far, in regards to invention, Hussein has justified his actions with the Arabs and given them a common enemy: the western world. When reading his speech or listening to it as an Arab, it would feel personable and compassionate. Notice also that his speech does not exclusively appeal to Iraq but all of the Arab nations. (Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice, 53)

The above quote is organized to appeal to the Arabs and generate hatred for the western nations. A rhetorical critic would see this as an effective tool: Hussein’s goal is to gain support. By generating a common enemy with a common religion, many follow. He strategically organizes his entire speeches for a purpose; just as most do.

Hussein’s speech was written in classical Arabic – a language known to all Arab nations as it is both taught in schools and the language of the Koran. A Muslim reader or listener is able to understand Hussein and gain respect for him as a religious leader because he used this style in his speech. (Methods of Rhetorical Criticism: A Twentieth-century Perspective, 21; Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice, 54).

The delivery of Hussein’s speech was inspirational because he seemed passionate about the topic. A rhetorical critic listening to his speech would agree that to the Arabic people, it was satisfying and motivating. It would be similar to a leader or president giving an inspirational speech. To them, he was their leader and a well respected Muslim.

In her book, Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice, Sondra K. Foss from the University of Colorado at Denver argues as a rhetorical critic that Hussein’s speech was effective in meeting its goal. “Although many Arab nations did not go to the aid of Iraq, Hussein was successful in obtaining some sympathy from Muslim nations as well as other nations around the world” (55). She argues that the invention, organization, style and delivery of his speech were strategic and successful. In other words, the speech was effective to the readers and listeners of Iraq and the Arab nations.

It would be inadequate to discuss rhetorical criticism without mentioning Herbert Wichelns and his speech, “The Literary Criticism of Oratory” (Readings in Rhetorical Criticism, 3-27). In his essay, Wichelns analyzes older ways of criticism and describes a new way using what is referred to now as rhetorical criticism and the neo-Aristotelian method. This brought new light to critiquing literature, speech, and their effectiveness.

Knowing the non-Aristotelian method of rhetorical criticism can help writers be more effective and help readers better understand literature and writing pieces. Andrew King, a Louisianna State University graduate, wrote in his article (referring to Wichelns’s essay) The State of Rhetorical Criticism, “In the decades after the appearance of that article, rhetorical criticism became a central pillar of writing and research…criticism also assumed a key role in the social sciences and the humanities” (365).

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