Kristen Timberlake
Anne-Marie Womack
ENGL 354.900
September 5, 2010
Discourse or Situation: Which Comes First?
Find page two of my copy of “The Rhetorical Situation” by Lloyd Bitzer, and you will discover the margins full of indignant exclamation points and demanding question marks. The piece presents a solid argument for the importance of rhetorical situation but there is a fundamental loophole loitering in the background. While Bitzer has a valid point in highlighting the role of rhetorical situation, it is flawed because just as situation can give birth to discourse, so discourse can also form situation.
I believe my problem stands mainly with Bitzer’s definition of rhetorical situation as the absolute means by which discourse is created (2). After reading the article in its entirety, the argument seems logical and is well-founded. However, Bitzer completely disregards the role discourse plays in the formation of situation. Yes, Kennedy’s Inaugural Address was given because situation required it, but did it not generate a situation of patriotism for its audience? Situation certainly demanded Churchill’s responses to the crises of World War II, but did they not also create a situation of pride and strength for his listeners? Bitzer is right to say that situation “obliged” the fishermen’s conversation, yet he disregards the fact that such discourse has the power to redefine their situation (5).
Bitzer tells us that exigence is a basic criterion for rhetorical situation, but for all its importance, he does not address its pliability. Bitzer defines exigence as “…an imperfection marked by urgency…something waiting to be done” (6). Many things are waiting to happen, but are often left untouched until someone notices and speaks about them. Be it a mother who recognizes the significance of having family dinners, or a politician scorning their rival, that family dinner or public debate would not come into being without some form of discourse. The media often manipulates exigence to their advantage by applying it to facts or observations in order to create a situation of alarm or demand. Bitzer’s failure to acknowledge this circular relationship between rhetorical situation and discourse is a major flaw in his theory and simply cannot be overlooked.
