For learning outcome 6 I am using a summary paper that I wrote for ERH 202WX. This paper summarized what I learned about rhetoric and made connections between the different eras of rhetoric and how they influenced modern rhetoric.

ERH 202WX
4/27/20
Help Received: None
Words: 455
John Stann

Rhetoric has been influential throughout history. Rhetoric starting with the Ancient Greeks has shaped the course of Western Civilization and culture and it is still relevant and important in today’s modern society. Out of all the historical periods in rhetorical development the most important has been 20th century rhetorical tradition because it mixes new political theories with technological advancements and combines them with the rhetorical theories of the classical and enlightenment to create 20th century rhetoric. In all rhetorical theory, I have discovered that government plays an important part in how rhetoric forms and changes throughout the centuries.
The enlightenment was an important transitional period for the practice of rhetoric and has contributed most significantly to my understanding of rhetoric. The enlightenment period was where I first saw how rhetoric and the government is connected. It is in the enlightenment period that Despots and absolute monarchs ruled throughout Europe and it was during this time when rhetoric became a hobby and pastime of Europe’s elite. This is because unlike in Greece, where rhetoric was used in the democracy the common man had little say in the governments of enlightenment Europe.
The connections between contemporary rhetoric and enlightenment rhetoric that most helps me understand rhetoric is how government affects rhetoric. Government has changed throughout the centuries going from democracies to monarchies to dictatorships and back to democracies. Throughout each change in the forms of government rhetoric has changed as well. Rhetoric in Ancient Athens was used by the citizens to effectively govern Athens. In Rome, rhetoric was used to prepare magistrates to effectively run the Empire. In the middle ages, where the church was the most important ruling body, rhetoric was used in sermons and the Catholic Church limited rhetoric due to their concerns that it would help spread pagan ideas. In the contemporary era, rhetoric has been affected by both government and technology. In the enlightenment and classical eras of rhetoric there was a fine line between public rhetoric and private rhetoric. In the contemporary period however, these lines have been blurred due to technological advances with social media.
Now that I have taken both rhetorical traditions I and II I understand the history of rhetoric and how rhetoric has influenced our world. Throughout the history of rhetoric government and technology have both affected the way rhetoric has been used and its form. From the printing press to social media rhetoric has changed and spread differently.
Rhetoric is important to society and one part of society that is affected by rhetoric is government. Government and rhetoric go hand in hand. When the form of government changes so does rhetoric and when rhetoric changes, government is affected as well.