Communication theory 3-4 - Essay Example

Through the times, the focus has expanded to construct meanings of the world within which one lives. Thus, rhetoric not only promotes wider understanding of issues and events around oneself but they also serve dual purpose of giving ideas to people and people to ideas for widening the scope of understanding. Rhetoric involves rhetor who uses symbols for communicating with public under different situations and constraints. It has developed over the time to encompass different elements of human interaction and provide one with distinct symbolic construction of ideas.

Classical, medieval, renaissance, contemporary and post-modern are important historical period that have witnessed evolution of rhetoric to its present form. Classical era from 5th to 1st BC was started by sophists who defined and codified art of rhetoric. It was later compiled by Aristotle and further refined by Romans and Greeks. Medieval rhetoric was mostly recognized as pagan art of persuasion that went against the Christian doctrine. Augustine revitalized rhetoric to be used by preachers which made it easy for them to teach.

During Renaissance period (1300-1600 AD), rhetoric was seen as important way of constructing meaningful language and through it to understand the world. Language as a medium was recognized as critical vehicle of rhetoric and showed the powers of the words and symbols. In the age of Enlightenment, rhetoric was used for rationalization. Great thinkers like Descartes, Francis Bacon etc. used it investigate the working of mind and role of imagination in perceiving things and events. Thus, knowledge was differentiated from the language which had just become a tool to disseminate information about the truth and provided language with distinct style of communication.

It was used in letter writing and different formats of literature like poem etc. This also limited the role of rhetoric and provided it with negative connotations. During contemporary and post-modern period, rhetoric became vital link of communicating in public. It was an art that provided orator with myriad symbols to emphasize dialogues and effectively communicate ideas. It was also reassessed and used to understand the world at large and helped provide different perspectives for critical thinking.

The post-modern rhetoric was significant in understanding the experiences of life through the broader understanding of race, gender, culture, class and sexuality. Queer theory is interesting because it helps to understand the nuances of public speakers that make public speech more complex that require deeper knowledge to decipher the meanings of words. The alternative rhetoric based on race and culture identity like AfroAmerican, Asiacentric, Aborginals etc. are important post-modern uses of rhetoric that expand its scope and emphasize role of symbols in communication.

Communication theory of identity Communication theory of identity explores personal identity with reference to one’s surrounding. Specific identity within the broader societal framework is one of the most important aspecst of human race that facilitates its interaction and promotes relationship building. The social identity provides individual with a distinct characteristic that helps to establish social status, thus representing him/her physically in the world. Moreover, it also contributes to a knowledge base that others can instantly access to have a general idea about