Final answer:
A rhetorical model of public opinion concentrates on how ordinary language is used to express people's views, rather than relying on scientific measurements or quantitative data. Understanding public opinion is essential for capturing the diverse sentiments of a population, and it can be measured using scientific polling techniques as well as qualitative methods like interviews.
Step-by-step explanation:
A rhetorical (or vernacular) model of public opinion focuses on ordinary language rather than scientific measurement, quantitative data, or statistical analysis.
Public opinion is critical because it reflects how people feel about various issues beyond just electoral choices. When measuring public opinion, researchers aim for accurate representation, which includes designing scientific polls that avoid leading questions and use a random sample. Techniques such as in-depth interviews and focus groups can provide qualitative insights into public sentiments, supplementing quantitative data from larger surveys.
Issue publics, elite opinion, and majority opinion represent different types of public opinion, and understanding these different segments is important for comprehending the overall public perspective.