Journal 2

When comparing the approaches Bitzer and Edbauer have about rhetoric, it is easy to see them in a similar light. However, when taking a closer look we are able to notice some small differences. An example from my life can be seen in an email I wrote to my parents and academic advisor. The email underwent a few changes between what I sent to my parents and what I sent to my academic advisor. The overall subject of the emails was about my primary major. When speaking to my parents, I was writing to persuade them towards understanding that I am in the right major despite what they believe. The one for my academic advisor was written in a way where I was seeking some guidance (and more ammunition to defend myself to my parents.) If Bitzer was to analyze this scenario, the situation which created the need for this email is clearly presented. My parents questioning my undergraduate decisions sparked the situation and exigence behind the email. If Edbauer was to analyze this scenario, the exigence would blend into the circulation from sending my email to different people. My advisor quickly replied and shared the email with an advisor he deemed better suited to help with my questions. This also reinforces the idea of circulation and effects on those who read it. Edbauers notion of ecology is clearly presented in the way the target audience reacted. Donald Trump’s tweets get retweeted by his supporters and even make their way to people who are not his fan. With most of Trump’s tweets we have seen a great deal of responses and reactions from citizens to celebrities.

I think Bitzer and Edbauer would disagree on the relationship between audience, rhetor, constraints, and exigence. Bitzer sees these as individual factors and Edbauer sees them as a fluid and constantly interacting, she would call his rhetorical situation as being oversimplified. I think both Bitzer and Edbauer would agree with having a fitting response and paying attention to the use of kairos. At this point in the course, I would have to say that although Bitzer and Edbauer present valid points which deserve their merit, I find Edbauer to make more sense and see it applied better in terms of social and personal context. Although I do believe she lacks an important factor that Bitzer includes which is the importance of environmental factors.