Summary Of The Chapter A Rhetoric For Writing Teachers

Journal Response The chapter “A Rhetoric for Writing Teachers” by Erika Lindemann describes how people use rhetoric unconsciously on their daily lives through writing or speaking. The term rhetoric is explained as being influential; teachers in particular are described to make use of rhetoric means to encourage their students into learning. Nevertheless, the rhetoric term has been under discussion over the years. The initials connotations given to this term were on the negative side; Lindemann describes how thinkers from old times expressed that the term rhetorical was mostly inclined towards the usage of appealing language leaving the importance of the message itself aside. The essence of the rhetoric speech was more concerned towards the persuasion, therefore people thought negatively over those who used a rhetorical language. Next, on the other side, Lindemann also describes the positive connotations given to this figure of speech. The usage of rhetoric to have a positive effect on people while causing the receiver to get in touch with emotions is mentioned to be the good side. Nonetheless, Lindemann also states that a negative use of this language could also have bad consequences and even hurt people.

Aristotle is mentioned to have studied the rhetoric language through different means of persuasion; he explained the rhetorical practice in a series of books. Then, Lindemann includes other thinkers’ ideas such as Socrates and Plato who once said “rhetorician need to know the truth about things”; giving a negative view to the rhetoric term. In general, Lindemann explains the importance of knowing the history and development of the rhetoric term throughout the years, including the different connotations given by thinkers as well as the contemporary practices of the rhetorical