𝙴𝙽𝙶 𝟻𝟷𝟻𝟸 | 𝚁𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝙿𝚘𝚜𝚝 #𝟷𝟹: 𝙱𝚎𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝙵𝚊𝚌𝚝-𝙲𝚑𝚎𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐

In Reality Bites, Dana Cloud discusses about how the appeals of truth are often misunderstood and mistaken as a simple representation of facts. In other words, observations should not be exaggerated because facts and images heed way for further interpretation. Cloud also mentions how "fake news" can be and is used as a rhetorical tool to manipulate certain arguments for particular audiences and to change their perspectives. Chapter One argues that post-structuralist theories of power have prioritized the assumed power of discourse and attributes the concept of exploitation as structures that are discursively formed, which generates inequality. Chapter Two discusses about how "fake news" serves as a rhetorical modality that shines light on various forms of affect – narrative, myth, spectacle, etc. Cloud's analysis argues that this modality challenges actual research to become rhetorical, thus affecting the audience to engage in effective analysis. Chapter Three focuses on the rhetoric of political and social culture in order to investigate communicative responses and influential power. This becomes a process by which persuasion has to be achieved, but the level of effect requires influential power. Chapter Four analyzes how common sense can enable a framework of meaning that shapes and expands a sense of agency that people possess for themselves. This form of capacity also reflects a socio-politically charged belief held by people to easily interpret information. Chapter Five discusses about rhetorical criticism and what distinguishes rhetoric from the aspects of scientific education and theories of knowledge. Rhetorical criticism utilizes theory to develop concepts that assist in investigating persuasion, but its focus on judgment opens the field to arguments that extend beyond individual rhetorical opinion and towards issues of social and political significance. Lastly, Chapter Six compares the revolutionary rhetoric of Thomas Paine's Common Sense to that of the BLM Movement. Cloud's political beliefs and stance are seemingly anti-Trump and in this chapter, makes a point of resistance to bring in appeals of truth in society during his presidency.

First, "fake news" is an interesting concept because it can include a number of different things that are related to mediated information concerning currents events or recent news. In fact, at least in recent times, there are media reports that have been considered "fake." Certain outlets that have been labeled for providing "fake news" include BuzzFeed, CNN, News Examiner, Washington Post, etc. Labeling news as "fake" because it disagrees with a political philosophy has developed into this ideological divide. Cloud states, "Much of what passes for common-sense in mainstream political culture is dominated by powerful interests and shaped by oppressive frames of meaning," and this "experience-based education, timely interventions in public controversy, and political organization may serve as sites of consciousness-raising and the production of liberatory thought" (159). As a result, people should be concerned with how this exposure affects democratic principles. For example, if media or the press are vilified because they offer a different perspective than other legitimate sources, then these principles are at risk. Second, there is the notion regarding the appeals of truth. However, simply fact-checking is not enough to provide a meaningful response. In result, Cloud argues for rhetorical realism to take in effect. "Rhetorical realism, or the idea that communicators can bring knowledge from particular perspectives and experiences into the domain of common-sense, and that we can evaluate truth claim in public culture on the basis of whether they exhibit fidelity to the experience and interests of the people they claim to describe and represent" (15). Therefore, there needs to be knowledge from various perspectives that can be brought into the area of common sense.

A passage that I am interested in discussing is on page 31, in which Cloud states, "Mediation helps us to understand our local immediate experience, which is disconnected from others and from explanation, in terms of a broader explanation that connects us to other people" (31). This concept of mediation mirrors a level of persuasion that allows for opportunistic potential to transform consciousness and perception. I am particularly interested in this passage because in recent times, the American society has been filled with political and social tension. I view the concept of mediation as advantageous because it settles a dispute, leading to a negotiation for resolution. In addition, mediation plays a huge role when it comes to generalizing an experience into a shared outlet of meaning.

Questions to Consider & Discuss:

1. What persuasive strategies allow fake news to seem true?

2. What role does censorship play when it comes to appeals of truth?