Final answer:
Bitzer's interpretation of rhetoric sees the rhetorical situation as shaping the rhetorical response, while Vatz believes that the rhetorician defines what is important and thus creates the situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lloyd Bitzer's interpretation of rhetoric heavily emphasizes the rhetorical situation - he believes that a given situation dictates the rhetorical response. For instance, Bitzer would argue that an audience's need influences the creation of a persuasive speech. In contrast, Richard E. Vatz disagrees with this approach, suggesting instead that rhetoric creates the situation.
Vatz might argue that a speaker decides what is important and directs attention to that particular issue, therefore creating the importance for the audience rather than responding to it.
For example, when discussing voter suppression, Bitzer would focus on the existence of the issue to determine the appropriate rhetorical response. In contrast, Vatz would argue that the rhetorician, by choosing to speak about voter suppression, makes it a notable situation and shapes the audience's perception of its importance.