Hello,

My first definition of rhetoric was “the argumentation of an idea or thesis pertaining to a specific discipline supported by research, secondary sources, and primary sources.”

First off, this is a very historical definition, especially with the mention of sources. I also make no mention of ethos, pathos, logos, or kyros, another historical standpoint. These are crucial in the definition of rhetoric, but, as I mention in my last post, I do not believe I can define rhetoric in a sentence or even a paper. There are so many differing sides to the argument, dissoi logoi is very real for the definition of rhetoric. We have studied so many years of history, and Herrick has presented so many definitions for very very knowledgeable writers that it just is not possible to sum up rhetoric in one definition. However, I could talk about it, and at great length. My argument would surround ethos, logos, pathos, and kyros, but I would make it clear that I could not give the reader an exact definition that would over all facets of the discipline.