Blog 9

Bitzer defines rhetoric as the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

1. Exigence:Any exigence is an imperfection marked by urgency; it is a defect, an obstacle, something waiting to be done, a thing which is other than it should be. As it relates to rhetoric exigence is an inspiration. Not all exigences are rhetorical, it only becomes rhetorical when it is capable of positive modification and when positive modification requires discourse or can be assisted by discourse. For example pollution because the reduction of air pollution strongly invites the assistance of discourse producing public awareness, indignation, and action of the right kind. Another example would be when someone raises their hand up (this is a form of rhetorical discourse)

2. Audience:The scientific audience consists of persons capable of receiving knowledge as stated by Bitzer. Since rhetorical discourse produces change by influencing the decision and action of persons who function as mediators of change, it follows that rhetoric always requires an audience. The only way for rhetoric to be fully effective is for the audience to understand what is being proposed and are willing to support what is being presented. 

3. Constraints: Bitzer states that "Besides exigence and audience, every rhetorical situation contains a set of constraints made up of persons, events, objects, and relations which are parts of the situation because they have the power to constrain decision and action needed to modify the exigence." H e goes on to say that there are two types of constraints, those that originate by rhetor and those that may be operative. Basically a constraints are elements of the situation that limits what can or cannot be said. An example in  rhetorical constraints that limit the strategies available for response is as followed. If The rhetorical exigencies might include the need to produce counter-rhetoric to forestall regulation or to defend challenged actions in public (by publicizing oil spills or automobile recalls). The rhetorical constraints might include legal or financial limitations on the channels the opponent could use or the language and claims available to be made