The value of eloquence and style has taken on a negative connotation in the last couple of decades. Many speakers are now criticized for their ability to poetically express their ideals, thus degrading the value of rhetoric. I think it’s time we stop this trend and appreciate the value of an accomplished orator.Aristotle’s definition of rhetoric is “the faculty of observing, in any given case, the available means of persuasion.” A true master of rhetoric can take any exigent situation and best fit it to his needs. What makes rhetoric so powerful? The appeals of the art, of course: ethos, pathos and logos. Ethos appeals to the orator’s character, pathos is the sympathy card and emotional appeal and logos is the factual part of the argument. Mix it together, and what have you got? The best damn speech you’ll hear in years.The key is to know how much to use of each appeal. An orator must know when the usage of ethos is more acceptable than logos or pathos. Without a developed character and moral standing, the credibility of the argument can become severely weak, and the same can be said if one were to focus more on logos or pathos.Take Sarah Palin for example. She works hard to identify with the public, but she does not work on the other two elements of speech. It is frustrating how she is constantly praised for her plain and straight-to-the-point speeches, which clearly lack the eloquence and style of true rhetoric. It’s common, and as a fellow columnist said last week, makes a lovable character rather than a professional politician. Gosh darn it, this drives me crazy!    Rhetoric adds a level of professionalism in any occupational field, especially politics. Why would anyone want to vote for someone (i.e. Sarah Palin) who doesn’t seem to take her job seriously? It seems completely illogical.Palin is getting praised, while President Obama is getting bashed for how suavely he delivers his speeches. Now don’t get me wrong — I’m not much of a liberal. But anyone with half a brain has to admit our president has a way with words. Watching him speak, I was momentarily swayed to believe in his crusade for health care reform. You have to be one hell of a speaker to do that. There are way too many doctors in my family for me to even remotely be in favor of this bill, yet he has me questioning my stance. His ability to present his ideas eloquently should be something the people should appreciate whether they agree with his policies or not.  Rhetorical discourse is the most quintessential art, and it must be recognized as such. Every other art depends on rhetoric to enhance and persuade its product or idea. If Marcel Duchamp can sign his name on a urinal and call it art, didn’t he obviously use rhetoric to persuade people to see it as such? Is that not power, or is that not power? I wish I could sign my name on a port-a-potty and have people pay thousands upon thousands of dollars to buy it. Too bad Duchamp isn’t alive to help me out. The bottom line here is rhetoric is unfathomably useful to all professions or interests. Conveying a motive for the purpose of an idea or action would be impossible without rhetorical discourse. This art is lacking the appreciation it deserves.Kali Babineaux is a 21-year-old English junior from Baton Rouge. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_kbabineaux.
 
 
 
—-Contact Kali Babineaux at [email protected]