Rhetoric: my reviewed definition

If you've endured my ramblings about rhetoric and orality thus far, this might well be overdue. However, as I was thinking about the post right before this one, I realized that I never shared my definition of rhetoric with you. You already know about primary oral cultures, those in which no writing exists.

I have previously subscribed to definitions that privilege "effective symbol use." In light of what I said in my last post, I think I will now include notions of publics and public when I think of defining rhetoric. As an example, I consider rhetoric to be the effective symbol use in public. The focus of my current research can be considered as being centered on the effective public use of symbols in public as represented in Zimbabwean folklore.

I probably needed that clarification more than you.