Grant-Davie: Discussion and Journaling Questions

2. Other writers (Bitzer, Vatz, Cosigny) have tried to explain the concept of the rhetorical situation before. Why does Grant-Davie think more work is needed?
Although both teachers and scholars of rhetoric consistently refer to the term rhetorical situation, the concept has proven to be underexamined since 1968 when Lloyd Bitzer defined it and the 1970s when Richard Vatz and Scott Cosigny responded to Bitzer’s claims. Due to Bitzer’s, Vatz’s, and Cosigny’s varying opinions behind the true meaning of rhetorical situation, English professor Keith Grant-Davie believes that the original definitions of the term and its constituents need to be analyzed in order to develop a more in-depth scheme for analyzing rhetorical situations. Grant-Davie truly believes that the true meaning behind rhetorical situation is a mixture of the theories all put forth by his scholarly predecessors and wishes to provide a compounded definition to a new, ever-changing age.

3. How would you define exigence? Why does exigence matter in rhetorical situations? (What difference does it make?)
Personally, I would define exigence as a problematic case or situation that is expected to be solved in an urgent and orderly manner. In rhetorical situations, exigence is extremely significant because it provides purpose and motivation to the discourse. Undoubtedly, individuals listen to discourse in order to benefit information or viewpoints from its contents. Without an exigence within the discourse, the discourse would lack a topic, purpose, or goal. Consequently, the discourse would have no significance because it has no problem to address or resolve.