Rhetoric v Reality Essay

Submitted By dnault
Words: 709
Pages: 3
Open Document
Rhetoric vs. Reality
Rhetoric has a long history and various definitions. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines rhetoric as language that is intended to influence people and that may not be honest or reasonable; the art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively, especially as a way to persuade or influence people (Merriam-Webster, 2014). Rhetoric is basically the study and practice of communication in order to persuade, inform, inspire or entertain. It is the strategic use of communication to present the facts in a persuasive way. Any time we give an argument for or against something, we employ rhetoric, it is vital in everyday life. During a political campaign, the candidate must select their language carefully and utilize rhetoric in order to attract new supporters and not alienate those who already have given their support. Most of us believe that all politicians should be honest when it comes to their decisions, preferences, and problem solving because their constituents are the primary affected. Nevertheless, this is not always the situation today.
In reviewing the website of Senator Jeff Merkley, it is apparent that he is passionate about protecting the environment and supporting the middle class. Senator Merkley notes on his website that he “cosponsored legislation to provide full and permanent appropriations for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)... Senator Merkley knows that protecting and maintaining our public lands not only provides environmental and recreational benefits, but also creates jobs in the tourism, recreation, timber, fishing, and other natural resource sectors” (Natural Resources and Rural Development, 2014). In addition Merkely strongly supports availability of healthcare for all Americans. Even in the throes of the health care crisis, Merkley stands by all efforts to get the system running effectively, and he fought to get insurance extensions for those who were unable to get signed up immediately. Many sites side against Merkley, but not because he doesn’t stand up for Oregonians but because he does stand up for healthcare reform. From his upbringing to his adult actions, Senator Merkley not only gives the impression that he does what he says; he actually puts his rhetoric into reality.
Another Oregon Democrat, Senator Ron Wyden, moves along the same path. Both senators vote primarily along party lines. Senator Wyden’s passions lie in many of the same areas of Senator Merkley, healthcare and environment primarily. However his strength is in the area of listening to the people. One of his early campaign promises was to make his accessibility to his constituents a top priority. His priorities appear not to have changed. After his election into the senate, Ron Wyden opened the first U.S. Senate offices in Oregon history, outside of the Willamette Valley. Every year, he holds open community meetings in each of Oregon's 36 counties, and frequently
Show More

Related Documents: Rhetoric v Reality Essay

Essay about First Year Writing

persuade the reader into legalizing marijuana and argues that the war on drugs is lost when it comes to cannabis. Both these articles support the legalization of cannabis and effectively persuade the audience into having a more open mind by the use of rhetoric situations. The first piece of text regarding the social issue of cannabis is a video of a TEDx event by Zach Walsh. Zach Walsh, PhD, is an assistant professor in the UBC department of psychology and co-director for the centre for the advancement…

Words 1550 - Pages 7

Juvenile Court Case Study

Question 1 With the first U.S. juvenile court being established in 1899, it is no surprise that much has changed since then. There are two fundamentally essential principles that accompanied the establishment of the juvenile system. First, the idea that the law should treat children differently than adults. The revolutionist thinker John Locke rightly argued that “children’s lack of reasoning capacity, which [disqualifies] them from participating in government, also [makes] them less culpable for…

Words 1491 - Pages 6

Isler's Arguments Against Affirmative Action

Anthony Gebara Rhetoric 309K Wiedmeyer 24 April 2018 Audience: Democratic National Convention and Democratic supporters Affirmative Action is Not the Appropriate Action In the modern context of society, it seems that the majority of Americans go out of their way to be politically correct. This censorship is done in an effort to sensitize the discrimination that existed decades ago by racially preferring minorities. Both government and society attempt to resolve racism through racial preference.…

Words 1480 - Pages 6

Wilderness Essay

reflecting on a nineteenth century expedition within Africa at the beginning of the era of European exploration. The primary source is entitled, Records of Captain Clapperton’s Last Expedition to Africa, with the subsequent adventures of the author v.1 and v.2 (1967), a newer edition from a previous work published in 1830. This source will be analysed amidst both the relevant literatures and themes of the module, which is the relationship between geographical knowledge, ideology and imperialism. The…

Words 2951 - Pages 12

Research paper 2.0

Freedom, the principal this country was founded on, is the common thread tying these speeches together, and even though their circumstances were different, each speech helped move the American public towards the vision of freedom dreamt up and made a reality by the founding fathers. Over the coarse of our nation’s history, three pivotal moments have provided impetus for one unifying goal: freedom. The Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech…

Words 1468 - Pages 6

Revenge And Violence In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

In the tragedy Hamlet, William Shakespeare discusses his perspective on revenge and violence. He believes that these things lead to tragedy and death, such as senseless killings. This is due to everyone in the play, Hamlet, dying after Hamlet decided that he must seek justice for his father’s death and that he had to restore order to Denmark after everything has been moved asunder. Shakespeare explains his position on revenge and violence through the melancholy and tragic tale of Hamlet. In the tragedy…

Words 1414 - Pages 6

Essay about The Bush Doctrine: the empirical relationship between its intentions and results

2011 terrorist attacks (Krauthammer 2008). Through the rhetoric of political speechwriters, the administration described its agenda as one of “fighting terror,” “spreading democracy,” and “protecting the US’ strategic interests.” According to Dr. Robert Jervis, Columbia University professor of International Affairs and the most cited expert on the subject, the Bush Doctrine is, in fact, far more serious than its rhetoric suggests; it is a doctrine of preventive war, an initiative that…

Words 7315 - Pages 30

Why Was Germany Unified Under Prussia and Not Austria? Essay

Prussia. ii. In less than six weeks, Austria is broken and beaten by the Prussian army. iii. Austria's rapid defeat drove the Habsburgs out of Germany. iv. This Austrian defeat led to Bismarck's creation of the North German Confederation in 1867. v. However, the victory did not lead to an upsurge of German nationalism or to calls by the southern German states for unity with Prussia, as Bismarck had hoped. 1. Why did Bismarck want German unification? a. To place the Hohenzollerns in charge. vi…

Words 1419 - Pages 6

Inequalities In Katrina

When hurricane Katrina hit landfall the second time, the storm took countless lives, homes and businesses along with it. Horrific images and videos swept not only the nation, but the interior world, portraying the wrath of Katrina, and the catastrophe that followed by the collapse of the levees. It is said to be the worst natural disaster to ever fall upon the U.S not only uprooting weaknesses, but revealing inequalities and racial prejudice that was present before the storm hit (Levitt). New Orleans…

Words 1685 - Pages 7

Chapter 15 Essay

could be achieved with continuing attempts to persuade. 3. Adoption – The listeners start a new behavior as a result of the persuasive presentation. 4. Proposition of Fact – An assertion that can be proved or disproved as consistent with reality. 5. Proposition of Value – A statement of what we should embrace as more important to our culture. III. Main Points 1. In your persuasive speech you should have an immediate purpose and ultimate goal. 2. You should analyze your…

Words 1150 - Pages 5