Rhetorical research methods (Essay Sample)

Student’s Name Instructor Course Date Nikki Haley and the Confederate Flag In 2015, the South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley, argued that the Confederate flag should be taken down from the statehouse. She contended that although the Confederate flag is an important part of our history, it does not accurately represent the state's future (New York Times). The situation in this statement is given rhetorical weight since some individuals are angered by her plea for the removal of the Confederate flag, while others either support it or could care less about the flag in general. A rhetorical scenario was developed through rhetorical discourse, prompting additional research. Since various people have different views on the flag, one may argue that the acceptable response in this speech depends on the circumstances. However, Nikki Haley's rhetorical stance almost calls for or invites a satisfactory answer because everyone in the state and country wants what is best for everyone. To clarify the rhetorical issue, this essay will discuss the three elements that make up most or all rhetorical situations: the exigence, the audience, and the limits. Her rhetorical retort ought to have an effect on others around her such that they would all concur that the flag should be taken down from the statehouse. Any exigence is a flaw, a barrier, a duty that has to be finished, or something that is not as it should be; it is an imperfection highlighted by urgency. Although there are many exigencies in almost every scenario, not all of them belong in rhetorical situations or are rhetorical exigencies (Pokharel). Since South Carolinians demanded the flag taken down in the wake of the Charleston tragedy, it is evident to everyone that this issue is urgent based on how I see the exigency. The only problems that audiences can help address are rhetorical exigencies; since we can use an audience, this is one of them. The audience is another element we use in rhetorical situations (Buck). The people the writer interacts with through the text or speech are included in the audience. Most of the time, the speech or content has a specific audience in mind. Audiences interact with and use the material in some way based on their experiences, requirements, and beliefs that may or may not align with the writer's. The recipient, also referred to as the listener or audience, is one of the critical components of communication. If there is no receiver, the source (i.e., the speaker) has no one else to convey the message to. Therefore, a speech is only possible with an audience. Your audience approaches you with specific intentions, presumptions, and knowledge. Instead of playing golf outside, they have a purpose that makes them a part of the audience. Their extensive range of characteristics, which include socioeconomic level, gender, age, ethnicity, racial origin, cultural background, and language, make them distinct and distinctive. Pokharel argues that rhetorical discourse influences the choices and deeds of individuals who work as change mediators. Therefore, rhetoric always needs an audience—even when a person engages themselves or their ideal mind as the audience. Another evident distinction between a rhetorical audience and a group of merely listeners or readers is that, technically speaking; a rhetorical audience only consists of individuals with the power to influence speech and act as change agents (Pokharel). Lastly, he sums this up perfectly because, in the end, the people bring about the change. Additionally, Buck talks about restrictions as a third component. Every rhetorical situation has a set of rules made up of people, events, objects, and relationships in addition to the requirement and audience. These restrictions are in place because they can restrict the choices and actions needed to alter the exigency. When the orator is faced with a scenario, his speech not only makes use of the limitations imposed by the circumstance but also imposes significant additional limitations, such as those related to his personality, his use of logic, and his delivery style. Convictions, opinions, records, knowledge, customs, pictures, interests, reasons, and other such things are familiar sources of restraint (Buck). The scenario gives the invitation to reply in some manner or another, which is why all these aspects are crucial to rhetoric and critique. Last but not least, the rhetorical context will indicate what would be a suitable response. According to Buck, speakers must respond correctly to the situation since the rhetorical situation dictates the rhetorical utterance (Buck). In essence, this is arguing that the rhetorical context will determine the proper response for the speaker. Nikki Haley pushed for the removal of the Confederate flag in 2015 after a man shot and killed nine black people in a church. My choice for Nikki Haley's rhetorical exigence is flying the Confederate flag on state property. Due to the tragic events in South Carolina, this problem has become more urgent. This is something that has, in my opinion, been waiting to be done but has not been. Before the Charleston incident, there were calls for its removal from state property. Four hundred news articles from three South Carolina newspapers were submitted to content analysis in the first 25 days after the 2015 Charleston church shooting to examine how the Confederate flag dispute was framed. Stories tended to be less about the shootings or the flag's symbolic meaning and more about the legislative process. The three newspapers highlighted reasons for removal almost three times as frequently as those against it, revealing some apparent geographical inequalities. The bulk of stories in Charleston and Columbia supported taking down the flag. However, the coverage in Greenville newspapers was largely unfavorable (Frear et al. 83). In contrast, a November 2014 Winthrop poll found that 61% of adults in South Carolina thought the flag should continue to fly, while only 33% wanted it to be taken down. Black South Carolinians had quite different views, with a majority (61%) rejecting it and just 27% saying it should be kept in place (libretto). Governor Nikki Haley took the initiative and finished the job because it was necessary. Therefore, her remarks were obviously in context. When assessing the audience for Nikki Haley's speech, we take into account who would be touched by the removal of the flag. The target audience for discourse is crucial, and in Nikki Haley's case, it may be all of America. To be more precise, it is those who see the Confederate flag as a sign of Southern pride, followed by those who see it as racist. On the other hand, supporters who display the flag in their homes, dress in it, and have bumper stickers made out of it regard it as a representation of the history and culture of the South as well as a tribute to the Confederate soldiers who lost their lives during the 1861–1865 Civil Wars. The flag is not allowed on the State House grounds because some think it represents slavery and has become a rallying cry for racism and xenophobia in the country. 57% of Americans, who are nearly identical to the 59% who stated the same thing in 2000 (Is the Confederate flag racist?), believe the flag is more of a symbol of Southern pride than racism. Most Americans respond negatively.) Views on the flag differ among white people based on education and race. They, therefore, conducted a second poll after referring to "Americans" in the first one, enabling them to define their target market precisely. Compared to 72% of African-Americans, only 25% of white individuals believe the Confederate flag represents racism. In the South, the racial difference is noticeably more significant. While 75% of Southern whites consider the flag a symbol of racism and just 11% of Southern African-Americans see it as a source of pride, those percentages...