Final answer:
Campbell and Burkholder define rhetoric as the art of persuasion through language, originating from ancient Greek teachings and encompassing elements like ethos, logos, pathos, and kairos. It is a critical component of daily communication across various contexts, not just academic writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Campbell and Burkholder, rhetoric is understood as the practice of using language deliberately and strategically to influence an audience. This concept originated from the ancient Greeks and has been foundational to language education, emphasizing the ability to persuade. Rhetoric encompasses various means of persuasion, including ethos (appeal to ethics), logos (appeal to logic), pathos (appeal to emotions), and kairos (timeliness), as outlined primarily by Aristotle. It is a craft that extends beyond formal writing or literature and is embedded in everyday communications, from personal interactions to advertising and media.
The Greeks initially defined rhetoric as the act of speaking a language, which then evolved to mean using that language for persuasive purposes. Furthermore, American philosopher Kenneth Burke likened the academic pursuit of rhetoric to a never-ending conversation amongst thinkers, where each contribution plays a role in shaping cultural understanding. As such, rhetoric is not isolated to academic exercises but is an intrinsic part of daily spoken language, crafted to serve a specific purpose and make an impact on the audience. This reveals the continuing relevance of rhetorical study and practice in contemporary communication, whether in academic research, political discourse, or social media engagement.