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Answer Rhetorical criticism is a method of examining words, seeking to understand the author’s techniques and how they affect the intended audience. Rhetoric refers to the discipline of persuasive writing or speaking. Criticism, in this case, means “analysis” rather than “disapproval.” When a person applies rhetorical criticism to the Bible, he attempts to uncover the writer’s motivations, use of rhetorical devices, and cultural background in order to more accurately interpret the meaning of the text. Rhetorical criticism looks for literary forms and patterns and how they are used to enhance certain ideas. This method focuses solely on the text, as written, rather than discussing alterations or prior versions. Rhetoric, as a discipline, is concerned with how certain words and arrangements of words will be perceived by an audience. Basic information can be presented in various ways, to various effects. A speaker or writer can use rhetoric to present information through shock or through reassurance. Rhetoric can downplay an issue or grab attention. Rather than assuming a text can only be understood through a surface-level, “plain reading,” rhetorical criticism accepts the idea that writers use techniques such as exaggeration, symbolism, wordplay, poetry, parallelism, repetition, connotation, and so forth to convey meaning. Clearly, rhetorical criticism covers a broad view of the writer’s intent. More specific approaches to rhetorical criticism focus on narrower concerns. Ideological criticism zeroes in on the “big ideas” of a text and how the writer uses an audience’s response to those concepts. Narrative criticism views the meaning of specific words and phrases in the context of the writer’s story—as pieces of a whole. Generic criticism looks at the words as part of some specific category, such as wisdom literature or prophecy, and interprets them accordingly. Proper use of rhetorical criticism helps explain biblical statements that are easy to misunderstand if taken out of context. A good example of this is Jesus’ remark about “hating” one’s family (Luke 14:26). In terms of pure rhetoric, this is an example of hyperbole, or deliberate exaggeration. Modern people use hyperbole when saying things like “I’ve told you a million times” or “this suitcase weighs a ton.” In context, people who hear such remarks don’t interpret them with wooden literalism. They get the point. In ancient writing, comparisons were often framed in black-and-white terms for the sake of clarity, leading to frequent use of hyperbole.Further, rhetorical criticism also looks to the culture and vocabulary of the speaker and the original audience. This is sometimes called socio-rhetorical criticism. The “hatred” referenced by Jesus in the above example was not interpreted in His culture exactly as the English word hate is today. Jesus’ point and the words He used refer more to preference or lack of preference. This can also be seen in statements such as Romans 9:13, which uses similar phrasing to describe God’s choice between Jacob and Esau. As with any method, rhetorical criticism can have drawbacks. Meaningful rhetorical criticism requires a grasp of the original languages and cultures involved. That is well beyond the ability of a typical Bible student. Some rhetorical techniques are obvious even in translation, such as Jesus’ remarks on cutting off one’s hands to avoid sin (Matthew 5:30) or questions asked only to point out an obvious answer (John 10:32). However, a surface-level reading of any particular English translation can lead to misinterpretation of some passages. It’s crucial to remember that techniques express meaning, but they are not, themselves, the meaning of the text. For instance, we might easily recognize symbolism or exaggeration in a statement, but that doesn’t mean we can dismiss that statement entirely. It may be symbolic, but it still means something. Taken to the extreme, virtually anything could be ignored simply by claiming the writer or speaker was being sarcastic. Perhaps he was, but is there any reason to think so in that particular case? Broadly speaking, rhetorical criticism is focused on techniques: the “how” instead of the “what.” This means it’s not an absolute measure of meaning. Narrative criticism, a subset of rhetorical criticism, is somewhat more useful in determining meaning, since it deals with major themes and ideas more than with bare literary forms.Fortunately, the drawbacks of rhetorical criticism are offset by the nature of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20). Christ’s fundamental order to the church was not “go and print Bibles.” His directive was to practice discipleship. The relationship between a more mature Christian and a less-experienced one offers context and understanding in Bible study (Acts 8:29–31). Return to:Questions about the Bible What is rhetorical criticism? Rhetorical criticism analyzes the symbolic artifacts of discourse—the words, phrases, images, gestures, performances, texts, films, etc. that people use to communicate. Rhetorical analysis shows how the artifacts work, how well they work, and how the artifacts, as discourse, inform and instruct, entertain and arouse, and convince and persuade the audience; as such, discourse includes the possibility of morally improving the reader, the viewer, and the listener. Rhetorical criticism studies and analyzes the purpose of the words, sights, and sounds that are the symbolic artifacts used for communications among people.[1] The arts of Rhetorical criticism are an intellectual practice that dates from the time of Plato, in Classical Greece (5th–4th c. BC). Moreover, in the dialogue Phaedrus (c. 370 BC), the philosopher Socrates analyzes a speech by Lysias (230e–235e) the logographer (speech writer) to determine whether or not it is praiseworthy.
Criticism is an art, not a science. It is not a scientific method; it uses subjective methods of argument; it exists on its own, not in conjunction with other methods of generating knowledge (i.e., social scientific or scientific). — [2] The academic purpose of Rhetorical criticism is greater understanding and appreciation in human relations:
By improving understanding and appreciation, the critic can offer new, and potentially exciting, ways for others to see the world. Through understanding we also produce knowledge about human communication; in theory, this should help us to better govern our interactions with others.[3] What is called "rhetorical criticism" in the Speech Communication discipline is often called "rhetorical analysis" in English. Through this analytical process, an analyst defines, classifies, analyzes, interprets and evaluates a rhetorical artifact. Through this process a critic explores, by means of various approaches, the manifest and latent meaning of a piece of rhetoric thereby offering further insight into the field of rhetorical studies generally and into an artifact or rhetor specifically. Such an analysis, for example may reveal the particular motivations or ideologies of a rhetor, how he or she interprets the aspects of a rhetorical situation, or how cultural ideologies are manifested in an artifact. It could also demonstrate how the constraints of a particular situation shape the rhetoric that responds to it. Certain approaches also examine how rhetorical elements compare with the traditional elements of a narrative or drama.[4] DefinitionGenerally speaking, the average audience member lacks the knowledge or experience to recognize rhetoric at first glance. Therefore, one of the more important functions of rhetorical studies is to determine whether an artifact is inherently rhetorical. This involves the identification of the exigence, rhetor's constraints, audience, and the artifact's persuasive potential. ClassificationCriticism also classifies rhetorical discourses into generic categories either by explicit argumentation or as an implicit part of the critical process.[4] For example, the evaluative standard that the rhetorician utilizes will undoubtedly be gleaned from other works of rhetoric and, thus, impose a certain category. The same can be said about the examples and experts quoted within the work of criticism. Classical genres of rhetoric include apologia, epideictic, or jeremiad but have been expanded to encompass numerous other categories. AnalysisWithin the realm of rhetorical criticism, analysis involves examining structure and analyzing how the individual rhetorical and communicative elements work within the context of the artifact. Rhetorical criticism is an art that involves the rhetorician developing strong reasoning for their judgement.[5] The rhetorician must act as a rhetorical critic of their own work, they must examine the necessity of their research as well as the analysis. A rhetorician must also be able to defend the method of their analysis and the accuracy of their research.[1] InterpretationClosely related with analysis, interpretation widens the scope of the examination to include the historical and cultural context of the artifact. A rhetorician should, at this point, draw comparisons with other established works of rhetoric to determine how well the artifact fits into a particular category or if it redefines the constraints of that category as well as how the elements illuminate the motivation and perspectives of a rhetor. Rhetorical criticism can then be broken into judgment and understanding. Judgment is concerned with determining the effectiveness of the information and the strategies of presentation that leads to the success or failure of the artifact. The understanding is drawn from the acknowledgment and acceptance of what has been presented.[5] EvaluationThe purposes of rhetorical criticism fall within three evaluative categories: academic, ethical, and political. Academic purposes seek to further the process of rhetorical study. Ethical purposes attempt to reveal implicit cultural values or unethical manipulations. Political purposes involve revealing hegemonic power structures in order to expose oppressive discourses or give voice to marginalized groups. Rhetorical criticism has gained more recognition and importance in the past forty years, especially in the academic field. This increase in interest has led to colleges and universities devoting more courses to the study of rhetorical matters such as rhetorical criticism.[6] Sources:[7][8]
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What might some of the limitations of rhetorical criticism as a method
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