The art of audience; or, a free lesson in "the rhetorical situation"

Three things happened today that I just can't ignore. And yes, they are related to the election, so if you are one of the reams of people who wish it to all just go away already, please feel free to stop reading. But some things must be said. And this is one of them.

First, a brief lesson in "the rhetorical situation." What is that, exactly? Well, it's not as scary as it sounds because you encounter and create these daily. A rhetorical situation is composed of the following elements:

1. A "text" (could be written, visual, audio, digital, etc.; any actual piece of communication)
2. An author (he or she who uses a text to communicate a message)
3. An audience (recipients of an author's message)
4. Purpose (the reason(s) the author and audience are communicating)
5. A setting (place, time, location of the communicative exchange)

Think about your day. Perhaps you stopped at Wawa or Panera this morning for coffee. Saw a lot of ads, didn't you? Well, each of those advertisements is a "text" communicating a message (drink Pumpkin Spice!) by an author (the store) to an audience (you) for a purpose (to get you to drink a certain flavor of coffee) in a particular setting (Wawa, 8:00 am, Bethlehem). Got it? Good. Let's move on to something less tasteful than pumpkin spice coffee.

Problematic rhetorical situation #1: A friend's teenage son's comment on a Facebook thread that suggests "Obama should be shot at." (written communication)

Problematic rhetorical situation #2: My mother calls tonight to lecture me about the end of the world and the end of business and the end of healthcare access and the end of collecting interest, etc. because she is scared; and to criticize my financial choices and lecture me on economizing. This is the "piss in your kid's Cheerios" call that I've been experiencing for, well, ever. And should really know better than to return a call when mom doesn't leave a message. No message = nothing good. (audio communication)

Problematic rhetorical situation #3: A HS friend posted a critical status update making sweeping generalizations about the people who re-elected President Obama. Specifically, he laments the "danger" of a "citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency." Furthermore, he expounds on how difficult it will be to "restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president." (written communication)

The problem with each of these situations is not actually the "texts" themselves - the First Amendment guarantees us all the right to spout whatever we want and not be arrested for it (unless it is obscene or hateful, and even that is hard to prove). The problem exists with the third element of the rhetorical situation - the audience. 

The author of any message should be aware of his or her audience - how the message will be received, who is in the audience, and what their situation is (as it relates to how the message will be received). Having an awareness of one's audience requires us to be, at least momentarily, outside ourselves for the span of time it takes to craft the communication and deliver it. Interestingly, my mom is the least problematic of the three because she's been doing this for so long that it's habit at this point - she can't help herself. And the fact that I finally blew up by stating that I've had a hard week and do not need to hear such things right now was enough to get her to stop. Well, that, and the fact that I said, "I'm hanging up now, mom. I love you, good night." Click. And life for us will go on. She'll realize she had terrible timing and overstepped (again) and will call or email to apologize (eventually). And I, understanding that's how she is, will acquiesce and accept said apology (again) and move on.

The danger with the other two messages is something that scholars are starting to study. It is an inherent lack of respect, awareness, and understanding that one's audience may take great offense to what you have so carelessly tossed out in a public space where there is no face-to-face accountability in the situation. I can understand why some of my friends and colleagues have deleted themselves from Facebook - usually for more reasons than this, but these types of problematic rhetorical situations certainly contributed to those decisions.

These examples are not the standard-bearers of reasoned discourse. They are not even in the ballpark of rationality. Rather, they are insulting and disrespectful because they were put out into a public space with zero concern about audience. And if any thought was given to these messages being received negatively, it seems to be with cavalier disconnection from feeling - a distinct lack of caring that these words may have offended or disturbed anyone in the social "network" who has access to those messages.

When you are the author of a message, if the purpose is to alienate your audience, then by all means, say whatever you want in whatever manner and you will surely achieve your goal. On the other hand, if you wish to express fear, discontent, anger, etc. but not alienate your audience, then find a way to express your message using respectful language that honors your audience.

The choice is yours. Choose wisely.