rhetorical tools

In fiction, rhetorical techniques help the speaker send a message to the listener in the hopes of persuading them to see a topic from a different angle. The sentence structure formula elicits an emotional reaction from the audience, altering their view of the topic under debate. The author shares his displeasure with the replacement of Robert Lee from the University of Virginia football team in the post. The substitution was made due to the similar similarity of his name to that of Robert E. Lee, who died over 150 years ago. The speaker employs rhetorical devices to convey his displeasure and the impact of the reforms on the populace. The presentation of the article makes proper use of analogy in the article. According to Your Dictionary (2013), “An analogy is a comparison between two objects with a similarity.” An analogy is a rhetoric tool that outlines a distinct difference between two things with the purpose of explaining the difference. In the article, the two points of comparison are Robert E. Lee the general and Robert Lee the football broadcaster. One of the major differences is the status of the people. Robert E. Lee is deceased while Robert Lee is alive. The article states, “...the Confederate general is dead for nearly 150 years.” The author uses analogy in showing the unreasonable comparison between the two people that led to his replacement. The analogy goes ahead to outline the differences and explain the stand of the author regarding the point of discussion. The analogy makes the argument clearer and supports the position of the author in opposing the replacement of Robert Lee based on his name.

The author uses a contradiction in outlining the differences between the two people. Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general in the army who died over a hundred and fifty years ago. On the other hand, Robert Lee is a famous presenter with outstanding professionalism in the both business and media. According to Callahan (2017), “Robert Lee is an Asian.” The two people bear vast differences from their country of origin to their professional occupation. The author uses contradiction to show the lack of similarity between the two individuals. Robert E. Lee served in the army and died a long time ago. Therefore, there was no need of replacing Robert Lee due to the close similarity of their names. The author goes ahead to acknowledge the similarity of the names but points out other differences that are more conspicuous than the name using contradiction.

The presentation of the story shows the perspective of the author in the situation. Callahan (2017) states, “It’s the biggest unforced error of the week.” The expression illustrates the position of the writer regarding the topic. It is clear that the author does not appreciate the replacement of Robert Lee from broadcasting the football match based on the similarity of the names with the late army general. Throughout the article, the rhetorical device of perspective is evident since the author notes down various reasons for the stand. For example, he outlines the differences between the two professionals making it clear that the similarity of the names was not a valid ground for replacing the broadcaster. The perception of the writer influences the mentality of the audience in forming a similar impression as the writer. Therefore, the rhetorical device makes the presentation of ideas easier.

The description of the two figures is an allegory in literature. An allegory is a tool that assigns the characters meanings outside the ordinary. In the article, Robert E. Lee signifies racial inequality between the whites and the black. During the time of the match, people were demonstrating in Virginia advocating for the pulling down of the statue of Robert E. Lee. With the game happening in the same state, his name represented the clash and the unwanted state of demonstrations in the country. Therefore, Robert E. Lee was a representation of the chaotic situation that the country was trying to eliminate. On the other hand, Robert Lee represented an icon of unity in the country. Robert Lee is a symbol of national unity since his profession involves interaction between people irrespective of the racial background.

The allegory in the article goes ahead to expose the notable difference between the two symbols and the representation of their meanings associated with their characters. Therefore, the organizers of the football tournament viewed the contradicting names as a reminder to the people of the state of chaos represented by the icon of Robert E. Lee. Callahan (2017) uses allegory to show the lack of similarity between the two figures and the unnecessary action of replacing Robert Lee from the tournament. The author dictates that the population is mature enough to understand the difference between the two people hence no need for the replacement. The allegory makes the article clearer by outlining the characters and backgrounds of the two individuals to convince the audience to take a similar stand as the author. The rhetoric tool uses the background of the two professionals in explaining the stand of the author and supporting it with facts such as the perception of the population.

At the beginning of the article, the author makes use of an image of Robert Lee. In the picture, the broadcaster is holding a microphone, which shows the professionalism and the name of the company he represents. The image is a clear indication of the differences between the two people concerning the physical appearance. The picture of Robert Lee tries to convince the audience of the notable difference between the two individuals based on professionalism as well as physical appearances. The images and examples presented in the article demonstrate the supporting facts for the ideas submitted by the author. Images of Robert E. Lee are different due to the attire he was “…as a general in the Confederate army” (Lee, 2012, p. 165). Therefore, the rhetoric tools employed by the writer seek to clarify his stand and provide supporting facts the use of rhetorical devices in the presentation of facts. The article makes it clear that the author does not support the position taken by the media house in replacing Robert Lee.

The rhetoric analysis in the report includes perception by the writer in the presentation of the ideas. The author uses analogy and contradiction in outlining the differences between Robert Lee and Robert E. Lee. The information presented motivates the reader to research and check on the background of the two people to understand the firm position taken by Maureen Callahan. More so, the author applies allegory in defining the perception of the two icons from the public stand. According to the article, the difference between the two is very distinct, and the reasons behind the change are not sufficient. Lastly, Maureen Callahan makes the article appealing by using the image of Robert Lee holding a microphone. The image seeks to clarify his professionalism and prepare the audience for the discussion of the theme in the article. Therefore, the rhetorical tools make the article stronger.

References

Callahan, M. (2017, August 3). ESPN took political correctness to a ridiculous low. New York Post. Retrieved from http://nypost.com/2017/08/23/espn-takes-political-correctness-to-ridiculous-lows/

Lee, R. (2012). Recollections and Letters of Robert E. Lee. Newburyport: Dover Publications.

Your Dictionary. (2013). Examples of Rhetorical Devices. Retrieved from http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-rhetorical-devices.html