Dialectical Rhetoric
by Bruce Mccomiskey /
2015 / English / PDF
675.7 KB Download
In
InDialectical Rhetoric
Dialectical Rhetoric, Bruce McComiskey argues that
the historical conflict between rhetoric and dialectic can be
overcome in ways useful to both composition theory and the
composition classroom.
, Bruce McComiskey argues that
the historical conflict between rhetoric and dialectic can be
overcome in ways useful to both composition theory and the
composition classroom.
Historically, dialectic has taken two forms in relation to
rhetoric. First, it has been the logical development of linear
propositions leading to necessary conclusions, a
one-dimensional form that was the counterpart of rhetorics in
which philosophical, metaphysical, and scientific truths were
conveyed with as little cognitive interference from language as
possible. Second, dialectic has been the topical development of
opposed arguments on controversial issues and the judgment of
their relative strengths and weaknesses, usually in political
and legal contexts, a two-dimensional form that was the
counterpart of rhetorics in which verbal battles over competing
probabilities in public institutions revealed distinct winners
and losers.
Historically, dialectic has taken two forms in relation to
rhetoric. First, it has been the logical development of linear
propositions leading to necessary conclusions, a
one-dimensional form that was the counterpart of rhetorics in
which philosophical, metaphysical, and scientific truths were
conveyed with as little cognitive interference from language as
possible. Second, dialectic has been the topical development of
opposed arguments on controversial issues and the judgment of
their relative strengths and weaknesses, usually in political
and legal contexts, a two-dimensional form that was the
counterpart of rhetorics in which verbal battles over competing
probabilities in public institutions revealed distinct winners
and losers.
The discipline of writing studies is on the brink of developing
a new relationship between dialectic and rhetoric, one in which
dialectics and rhetorics mediate and negotiate different
arguments and orientations that are engaged in any rhetorical
situation. This new relationship consists of a
three-dimensional hybrid art called “dialectical rhetoric,”
whose method is based on five topoi: deconstruction, dialogue,
identification, critique, and juxtaposition. Three-dimensional
dialectical rhetorics function effectively in a wide variety of
discursive contexts, including digital environments, since they
can invoke contrasts in stagnant contexts and promote
associations in chaotic contexts.
The discipline of writing studies is on the brink of developing
a new relationship between dialectic and rhetoric, one in which
dialectics and rhetorics mediate and negotiate different
arguments and orientations that are engaged in any rhetorical
situation. This new relationship consists of a
three-dimensional hybrid art called “dialectical rhetoric,”
whose method is based on five topoi: deconstruction, dialogue,
identification, critique, and juxtaposition. Three-dimensional
dialectical rhetorics function effectively in a wide variety of
discursive contexts, including digital environments, since they
can invoke contrasts in stagnant contexts and promote
associations in chaotic contexts.Dialectical
Rhetoric
Dialectical
Rhetoricfocuses more attention on three-dimensional
rhetorics from the rhetoric and composition community.
focuses more attention on three-dimensional
rhetorics from the rhetoric and composition community.