Berlin, James A. "Chapter 1: An Overview." Rhetoric and Reality: Writing Instruction in American Colleges, 1900-1985. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 1987. 1-19. Print.
Berlin begins his first chapter by explaining his interest in the different forms of rhetoric. He explains that, “rhetoric, the production of spoken and written texts, and poetic, the interpretation of texts, have been the indispensable foundation of schooling, regardless of the age or intellectual level of the student” (1). Moreover, “rhetoric and poetic historically have enjoyed a dialectical relationship, the one’s function being defined and determined by the other’s” (1). After explaining what rhetoric means to him—“the term rhetoric refers to a diverse discipline that historically has included a wide variety of incompatible system. While one particular rhetorical theory may predominate at any historical moment, none remains dominant over time. Each major system is destined to be replaced eventually. Thus, we ought not to talk about rhetoric but of rhetorics” (3).
Berlin then goes on to explain his three theories of rhetoric: objective, “based on a positivistic epistemology, asserting that the real is located in the material world” (7); subjective, “located on truth either within the individual or within a realm that is accessible only through the individual’s internal apprehension, apart from the empirically verifiable sensory world” (11); and transactional, “based on an epistemology that sees truth as arising out of the interaction of the elements of the rhetorical situation: an interaction of the subject and object or of subject and audience or even all of the elements” (15). While explaining the three theories of rhetoric, Berlin gives examples of each and one could use the theory to his/her advantage in writing.
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteYour summary of Berlin's first chapter is very useful; it describes the key concepts of the chapter that become important conceptual frames for the book. I think this will be a very helpful guide for you when you return to this post weeks from now!
A suggestion (for your future summary posts) - I'm wondering what you made of the author's stance(s) in the text? It might be helpful to include a short description (perhaps a sentence?) of Berlin's broad argument/stance in this chapter, for example, so you can capture your impressions as a reader before they are lost. (For example, what does Berlin's attitude toward these concepts seem to be upon your initial read?)
Makes sense. Thank you so much. I'm still trying to get a handle on this, so any constructive comments are greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteKelly, I like that you spoke to Berlin's idea of "rhetorics" not "rhetoric." Much like Beth Daniell's idea of literacies (instead of literacy), this idea of a pluralistic notion of the conception is much more encompassing. It much better suits the purpose of critical consciousness that other authors have discussed.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, rhetoric is not one thing that can be defined with a singular explanation.