Gerard A. Hauser and Introduction to Rhetorical Theory

Introduction to Rhetorical Theory is a text book, to put it simply. If you google him you’ll come across links to Amazon, Google, Barnes and Noble, and the like, for his books. You will also find a link to his academic bio for he is a Professor of Communication at Colorado at Boulder. He may have written this book because it is his life’s work, studying communication and rhetoric. Absorbing all the knowledge he can and than spitting it out for colleagues and students to soak it in, apply it to what they already know and get just slightly closer to the Truth.



Chapter two focuses on rhetorical thinking, what it is, how it is used, and the different forms it takes when it goes beyond thought processes and moves into the sphere of oration. This chapter seems to break down the different types of oration of rhetorical thought so that in future chapters you know what is appropriate for what type of audience.

The most important thing to take from this chapter is that rhetoric is “eventful.” That it is used to argue points and come to some mutual understanding, or concession of an idea. Everything from why a particular book is held in favor, to why we should be active participants in politics. The spectrum in which rhetoric is used is never ending.

Issues had with this chapter, and I could assume the rest of the book as well, is that rhetoric, dialectic, and even discourse have meanings that overlap one another, and there are very minute difference to separate them from one another.

Rhetoric, before reading this chapter, is what I would have called the conversation between two or more politician (regarding to politics of course and not, their plans for the weekend.) It is good to know that that is rhetoric, more properly when they are on screen or radio for a laymen audience, and that in private it would be refereed to as dialectic. It is also, good to know that rhetoric is used in everyday conversation, amongst classmates, family, coworkers, and the list goes on, that it is not just relevant to one topic of particular people.

With the age of technology and a new popularity with do it yourself craft, Hauser’s discussion of rhetoric fits like a glove. Anything a person wants to do, they can just type into a search engine. If they are a novice, there are sites full of rhetoric that can be easily followed, and they‘ll pick up with experience what works and does not and can join a side in the conversation. If it is someone with considerable skill, they’ll be able to find those that can speak more technically on composting or composing or whatever their crafting heart desires.