Rhetors

Persona: Constructs of identity and authority that a rhetor presents in a rhetorical act.
Performance: The execution of persona in social interactions.
Phronesis: Practical wisdom or the ability to make sound judgments.
Eunoia: Public goodwill towards an audience.
Image: The public perception created by the rhetor.
Mystification: The process of creating distance between the rhetor and the audience.
The Downgrade Approach: A rhetorical strategy where a rhetor diminishes their authority to connect with their audience.

Persona: A combination of identity, roles, authority, and the image a rhetor constructs.
Performance: The enactment of the persona during rhetorical acts.
3 Facets of Ethos: Concerns regarding credibility and ethical appeal.
Image: What is perceived about the rhetor by the audience.
Mystification: The process which separates the rhetor from the audience to establish authority.
The Downgrade Approach: A strategy used by rhetors to relate to their audience by lowering their perceived authority.

Persona Defined:
- The term "persona" refers to the ethos, roles, identity, authority, and image a rhetor constructs and performs during their rhetorical act.
- It is an active process, indicating that it is something a rhetor constructs rather than an inherent quality.

Impression Management:
- Based on Erving Goffman’s influential work, "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" (1956), the concept centers around how individuals manage the impressions they create in the eyes of others.
- Goffman describes this process as "impression management," illustrating the strategies people use to control how they are perceived by others.
Performance Defined:
- According to Goffman, performance entails all activities by a participant that influences the perceptions of others in any setting.

Ethos (ἦθος):
- Ethos is composed of three key elements:
- Excellence: Referring to the inherent virtue or quality of the rhetor.
- Knowledge: The competence or expertise displayed by the rhetor.
- Goodwill: Demonstrating concern and goodwill towards the audience.
Arete (ἀρετή):
- Translated as virtue or excellence, it represents the quality of being good and possessing moral integrity.
Phronēsis (φρόνησις):
- Refers to practical wisdom, the ability to make informed and prudent decisions in various contexts.
Eunoia (εὔνοια):
- Public goodwill, which is crucial for building a positive connection with the audience, fostering trust and rapport.

Image Defined:
- A rhetor’s image, in discussions of persona, refers to both verbal and visual representations that highlight specific qualities leading to audience perceptions.
- This representation may be constructed by the rhetor or imposed by others, influencing how they are viewed by the audience.

Mystification Defined:
- The act of creating a barrier between the rhetor and the audience, enabling the rhetor to exert authority.
- It involves a regulation of information shared between the rhetor and the audience, thereby establishing a sense of power through distance.
Goffman's Perspective:
- As Goffman describes, mystification can obscure the "backstage" of self-representation, where perceived authenticity versus presented identity creates an air of authority.
- The illustrative quote: "Mystification creates authority through distance and difference. It is mysterious, yet impressive".

Definition:
- Refers to a rhetorical strategy where the rhetor intentionally diminishes their perceived authority to foster a closer connection with the audience.
- This tactic is often employed by those in positions of power to identify more closely with their constituents.

GDR Part 1:
- Analysis of four political campaign artifacts related to two politicians, focusing on how ethos, persona, authority, downgrading, and public image are manifested.
- Politician #1: Joni Ernst (Republican Senator of Iowa)
- Politician #2: Bill Clinton (42nd Democrat President)
GDR Part 2:
- Selection of a public figure who can be analyzed using rhetorical framework and language. Discussion prompts include applying 2-3 rhetorical concepts to enhance understanding of their persona.

Reiteration of crucial keywords discussed:
- Persona, Performance, Phronesis, Eunoia, Image, Mystification, The Downgrade Approach.