Final answer:
Rhetorical thinking entails analyzing and synthesizing information to create a new understanding. It involves looking at various aspects of a text to engage with it critically, not just summarizing. Synthesis requires making connections between sources and personal viewpoints to form original ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rhetorical thinking calls on you to do your homework and find out everything you can about what's been said about your topic, to analyze and synthesize that information to inform your own ideas. This means that you take various pieces of information, examine how they relate to one another and to your own insights, and then integrate them to create a new, deeper understanding of your topic. It's a process of evaluation and creation, requiring critical thought to assess the evidence and then construct an original argument or perspective.When you approach a subject from a rhetorical perspective, you're encouraged to look beyond a simple summary of the work and engage with its deeper implications. This might involve analyzing the intended audience, the purpose of the text, the context in which it was created, and the effectiveness of its arguments. By considering these aspects, you can better understand the significance of the text and how to incorporate it into your own thinking and writing.
Moreover, the process of synthesis involves not just understanding and summarizing the sources, but also making connections between them and your own viewpoints. This intellectual engagement is especially critical in fields such as politics and government, where understanding the rhetoric can greatly enhance the clarity and persuasiveness of your ideas.