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Rhetorical Citizenship

The phrase rhetorical citizenship seems like an easy enough statement to understand at first,
but when one thinks about what those words really mean, the phrase becomes more complex.
Rhetorical and citizenship each have a definition that seems to be interpreted slightly differently by
those who have studied the subject.
Sam Leith explains different types of rhetoric in an excerpt from his book Words like Loaded
Pistols: Rhetoric from Aristotle to Obama. Leith proposes three different types of rhetoric: epideictic
(praise or insult), judicial or forensic (court room style), and deliberate (focused on the future). By
introducing these, Leith is making it known that different situations call for different approaches to
rhetorical action. But, rhetoric itself is just a way of communication, a way of persuasion, according to
Leith. This seems like the most accurate yet broad way to interpret what rhetoric really is, and how it
can be applied to various circumstances.
Amy Wan argues that writing is an essential part of citizenship in her article "In the Name of
Citizenship: The Writing Classroom and the Promise of Citizenship." Wan draws upon different
interpretations of what defines citizenship in her piece, surrounded by a central theme that citizenship
just seems to mean participation in your community, on a small or large scale. Writing, and literacy skills
in general, are essential to Wan when it comes to having a productive, democratic, and civically engaged
society. This belief corresponds with what one will actually witness in terms of what true citizenship
really is. While a basic writing lesson wont define who students are as citizens, it seems likely that those
who have skills geared towards positive public participation can become more active in any community.

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Isocrates Antidosis, discussed by David Mirhandy and Yun Lee Too in their work Isocrates I, is a

fictional version of an actual trial Isocrates experienced. In Mirhandy and Toos book, what Isocrates was
communicating is used as an example of rhetorical citizenship from a well-known rhetorician. Isocrates,
while never officially charged for a crime, is supposedly defending himself in the Athenian court for
radically corrupting the youth with his philosophical teachings. To him, education that will heighten
ones ability to speak and reason is vital. However, some Athenians did not think this was what Isocrates
was doing during the time he lived in the city. Teaching the youth how to become skilled and intelligent
rhetorical speakers was a notable way Isocrates exhibited what can be considered as rhetorical
citizenship. How he acted and what he believed relates to the views of those such as Leith and Wan,
essentially intertwining what rhetorical and citizenship-like behavior are. Rhetoric, being a form of
communication prone to usage in arguments, in either speaking or writing, is certainly what Isocrates
wanted Athenian students to learn. Having every person more educated in these kinds of skills would
mean a smarter and better functioning Athens. Interestingly, Isocrates was not a citizen of Athens, but
lived in the city long enough to know what the typical Athenian was like. Regardless of whether or not
he was a legal citizen, Isocrates showed citizenship by trying to improve the communitys minds.
Isocrates believed that simply learning a skill wasnt good enough, and to really master anything,
experience was needed. Clearly, going out and getting into discussions that render one to think beyond
an average range of thoughts is what Isocrates yearned for his students to be doing with their lessons.
Actual participation in rhetorical conversation is what Isocrates wished for the Athenians he would
teach, hence showing how valuable rhetorical citizenship was to him, and how he displayed it himself by
passionately instructing others.
In addition to Isocrates, Paula Mathieu brings to life what rhetorical citizenship encompasses in
an excerpt from her book Tactics of Hope: The Public Turn in English Composition. Mathieu spent time in
Chicago working with homeless or nearly-homeless people who had something to say and wanted to say

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it via their writing skills. She conducted free workshops so anyone could come and write about their
personal stories. These stories were put forth into the community through different forms of media, one
of course being a print magazine. What Mathieu did was bring the very personal and intense stories of
real people into light for anyone willing to read or listen. Through this, its clear that Mathieu shows
rhetorical citizenship, and has worked very hard to pass it on to others. Aside from the work she did with
her Chicago group, Mathieu believes this type of writing, personal and tactical, should be incorporated
into classrooms more so than it presently is. This would be an excellent way for writing students to see
how powerful ones words are. Working with pieces that focus on prevalent social issues seems like it
would be beneficial for students to become exposed to during their writing instruction.
Personal Experience
From what Ive learned by reading the excerpts of Leith, Wan, Isocrates (through the work of
Mirhandy and Too), Mathieu, and other writers who focused on similar topics, rhetorical citizenship is
best explained as making a difference through engagement in a community and expressing this through
words, and how that affects ones self and others. Recently, rhetorical citizenship has been a frequent
part of my life through involvement with the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. By
working with the Manager of Development Donna A. Haynes, I learned a lot about what the society
members do and go through to achieve their goals. Giving free legal service to those in need does
require funding, so what my work consisted of was helping out Ms. Haynes with fundraising for the
annual Breakfast of Champions hosted in early November. The breakfast is a fundraiser designed to
bring in a significant amount of money for the society, which is put towards the free legal service
available. The majority of involvement I had was calling and informing certain members of the
community about the Legal Aid Society and the Breakfast of Champions.

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What I did required careful rhetorical skills to give off a good impression of the society, and

persuade my target audience to consider attending the breakfast. Connecting with people when it
comes to asking for money can be problematic, so choosing the right thing to say is crucial for this type
of conversation. Rhetoric, to me, is just that. The right thing to say that both persuades and informs.
Even if what you say doesnt always render a preferable outcome, just having a logical and strong
argument is what rhetoric consists of. Pathos, ethos, and logos played a large role in whatever I was
either saying or writing to those I contacted for Legal Aid. Clearly, pathos is always present when talking
about what the Legal Aid Society is. Telling people that this is a free legal service for those who have
been through unfortunate, severe circumstances and cannot afford a lawyer appeals to a heavy sense of
emotion. Clients do include children who may not have parents and are struggling to defend themselves,
which most people would consider is a good reason for free legal service to exist. Ethos was prominent
because of how I presented myself while contacting community members. Being a University of Central
Florida student and an intern for the Legal Aid society let my audience know that I have the credentials
to be speaking on behalf of the society. In addition, Ms. Haynes had written out some information about
the breakfast that I included in my phone calls and emails. The breakfast was the seventh annual
fundraiser for the society, and letting people know this showed how successful the past ones were.
Logos was the smallest of the three appeals I used. Going to the breakfast is an amazing networking
opportunity for anyone who attends. Attending would be a great way to get to know many legal
members of Orange County, and any other officials who may come out and show support. Knowing this
kind of information gives sort of an extra incentive for a business to want to attend the event for any
chance to improve business connections.
I believe that the involvement I had with the Legal Aid society showed what citizenship in a
community is. For me, I think citizenship was shown by reaching out towards people and telling them
about this very important group which helps so many members of the community on a daily basis. I

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want as many people to know about the Legal Aid Society, and I want anyone who can help to do so.
Calling and emailing groups like county officials and plastic surgeons gave me a wide audience to inform.
I will admit, it was hard to get most people on board with the idea of donating money. This was baffling
to me simply because this is a fundraiser not like most. This money goes toward services that truly
change lives. But I think by just getting the word out that Legal Aid exists does help the society form
recognition and status among those who never heard of them. Spreading the word of the Legal Aid
Society and their yearly breakfast fundraiser, to me, is a form of citizenship, for its an effective way to
be engaged with community relations and issues.
Being a citizen doesnt only mean one has to get involved with a type of nonprofit organization,
it can simply mean just being a respectful person in your community. I think that anyone who shows
they care about the people around them even in the smallest of ways is a good citizen. Going a little
beyond just keeping ones street clean or being on neighborhood watch definitely adds to civic
engagement, but it isnt a defining factor for what makes a citizen a good citizen. Rhetorical citizenship
focuses on being a good community member and communicating to others about everything going on
around us.

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References
Leith, Sam. Words like Loaded Pistols: Rhetoric from Aristotle to Obama. New York. Basic Books, 2012.
Web. 8/20/14

Wan, Amy J. "In the Name of Citizenship: The Writing Classroom and the Promise of Citizenship." Web. 5
Oct. 2014.

Mirhady, David C., and Yun Lee Too. Isocrates I. Austin: U of Texas, 2000. Print.

Mathieu, Paula. Tactics of Hope: The Public Turn in English Composition. Portsmouth, NH:
Boynton/Cook, 2005. (excerpt)

"Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association - Home." Legal Aid Society of the Orange County
Bar Association - Home. Web. 17 Nov. 2014. <http://www.legalaidocba.org/>.