POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION
BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATION
RCT211S: RHETORICAL THEORY & CRITICISM
SECOND OPPORTUNITY MEMORANDUM

NOVEMBER 2012
Time:
Marks:
Paper:
Pages:

3 hours
75
1 of 1
5 (including cover page)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Read all the questions carefully before answering them.

2. Indicate whether you are a FT or PT student on the cover of your
answer booklet.
3. Answer THREE questions only.
4. You will be penalised for mistakes in grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
Examiner:

Mr Rewai Makamanl

Moderator:

Prof. J. Kangira

Answer any THREE questions.

Question 1
25 marks
Discuss the views of rhetoric of the following and give examples of how they can
be used in real life situations:
Plato
Answer
5 marks
Candidates must explain flattery and cookery and the concept of re'aching
out to the souls of people as discussed by Plato.
Cicero
Answer
5 marks

Candidates must discuss, "To please, To persuade and Sway" as covered

by the theory of rhetoric associated with Cicero.
5 marks
Aristotle
Answer
5 marks
Candidates need to dwell on Ethos, Pathos and Logos as characterizing
Aristotle's theory of rhetoric.
5 marks
Quintilian
Answer

5 marks

His rhetoric rested on the fact that "A good man speaks well". This was the
basis on which rhetoricians were to be molded.
5 marks
Saint Augustine of Hippo

Answer

5 marks

His rhetoric dwells on the use of eloquence to spread the word of God.
5 marks
Question 2
25 marks
Define pathos and explain, with enough justification, what can be done in order to
effectively employ it in the world of work.
Answer
Definition:
2 marks
The following need to be explained and justified:
20 marks
1. It means using their language, and, or language variety in keeping with
audience and context.
2. it implies the use of audiovisual aids (e.g. video clips, pictures including
motion pictures, diagrams) and even real objects.

. 2

3.
4.
5.
6.

Dwell on their religious values in a way that evokes positive emotions.

Show respect to their cultural value systems.
Do not forget the power of jokes in evoking emotions.
Study them; know them very well so that you do not speak outside their
experiences and knowledge.
7. Be logical in your structuring of content.
8. Tone of voice is a special force when it comes to evoking of emotions of
people.
Conclusion:
3 marks

Question 3
25 marks
Explain the following models of arguments and show how each of them can be
used in the world of work:
1. Cause and effect
2. Argument of similarity
3. Definition model argument.
4. Oppositional model of argument.
5. Degree model of argument.
6. Witness model of argument.
7. Genus / species model of argument.
8. Part / whole model of argument.
9. Associated model of argument.
10. Root/ meaning model of argument.

Answer
A good answer should explain the models of argument as follows and then give
an example of how each of them can be used in work situation:
1 .Cause and effect: to show a sequential relationship of events - to show
what will follow.
2.Argument of similarity to show that two things are similar.
3. How do we define this? Definition model argument.
4. What is in any way opposed to it? Oppositional model of argument.
5. Is it less or more than something else cited? Degree model of
argument.
6. Can a witness or witnesses be cited? Witness model of argument.
7. How is the subject categorised broadly or narrowly? Genus / species
model of argument.

8. Is it a whole in itself or part of something? Part / whole model of

argument.
9. What are its associations and qualities? Associated model of
argument.
10. What is the origin of the words used to refer to the topic? Root
meaning model of argument.
2 marks x 10=
Language
=
Question 4

20 marks
5 marks
(25 marks)

Discuss Burke's theory of rhetoric argue a case for its relevance in Namibia.
Answer
A good answer should explain the following:
We are born as individuals that are separate from others.
We feel ashamed of this isolation.
We seek ways to unite / identify with others.
We use language, linguistic devices, logical structuring, illustrations.
We also exploit our knowledge of people's culture, norms, values,
aspirations so as to speak in a way that identifies with them.
Application
Candidates should argue that it is largely applicable in Namibia.
People like salesmen/women, preachers, teachers, lawyers,
politicians, motivational speakers and public relations practitioners use
it almost on a daily basis to persuade their target audiences.
Answers will be marked as a whole out of 25 marks.
Question 5
25 marks
Define is personality and stance and explain how it is used in the world of work.
Aristotle's ethos (one of the three proofs).is the same as personality stance
Has a role in persuasive practice.
Personality stance is a set of values of the individual or the community
which are evident in language, social attitude and behaviour.
To Aristotle ethos was the proof brought by character or virtue of the
speaker, and revealed in his speech
Today personality has assumed a broader meaning:
It now means something interactive
Reflects values of a group controlled by the persuader.

In the corporate world role models in the form of footballers, musicians

and politicians are now used for image management purposes and to
market goods and services.
Personality (from persona - actor's mask)
-Persuader uses his / her individuality and character traits best matched
to the audience and topic.
Writers / speakers use paralinguistic features such as;
Vocal variation
Body language
Graphological features - layout, graphics, illustrations
Success rests in choice of language in keeping with subject and
discourse; context and audience.
Introduction:
2 marks
Body
:
15 marks
Conclusion:
5 marks

Answers will be marked as a whole out of 25 marks.

End of examination paper