Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

rhet�o�ric 1. persuasive speech or writing: speech or writing that communicates its point persuasively


2. pretentious words: complex or elaborate language that only succeeds in sounding pretentious
3. empty talk: fine-sounding but insincere or empty language

4. skill with language: the ability to use language effectively, especially to persuade or influence people
5. study of writing or speaking effectively: the study of methods employed to write or speak effectively and persuasively





There are so many definitions of the word *rhetoric*?
Could anyone use it in commonly-used sentence?
Thanks

[bud]

I'm surprised to see that most of the definitions are positive, as I know the word by its second and third definitions. It is common in politics to describe your opponents' postions as nothing but rhetoric. Often, the redundant phrase "empty rhetoric" is used.

[Bob S.]

"The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' new chairman follows Mary Frances Berry, whose seedy career... mixed tawdry peculation, boorish behavior and absurd rhetoric."
By George F. Will
Friday, March 11, 2005
� 2005 The Washington Post