Rhetoric can be defined as the means through which people communicate ideas and information to persuade others to accept their opinions and positions. Rhetoric has long historical traditions originating from Western cultures like ancient Greece and Rome. Modern definitions of rhetoric are sometimes thought of as "spin" used to purposefully deceive or mislead others. However, rhetoric is a complex topic that involves understanding how different cultures communicate and why they communicate in certain ways.

1. Cross-cultural Rhetoric What is “rhetoric” and why study it – of our own culture, let alone other cultures?

2. What is rhetoric? Rhetoric can be defined many ways. The traditional definition is, the means through which people communicate ideas and information to each other, and try to persuade each other to accept their opinions and positions.

3. Western Roots Rhetoric has a long historical tradition in the West – most people think of the Greeks or Romans when they hear the word.

4. Modern Definitions People often think of rhetoric as being “spin” – empty language used to effect a purpose, but with no real meaning or content – sometimes with the intent to deceive or mislead.

5. It is all and none of those things… Rhetoric and Composition International Rhetoric Politics Online Writing

6. It is business, too. The Elements Of International English Style Because Writing Matters Beyond Bullet Points MS Manual of Style for Technical Publications

7. The modern Western mind tends to think of communication as an efficient, linear process...

8. Of course there are countless other approaches to rhetoric…

9. If we do nothing but accept the business-oriented rhetoric of efficiency as the new global standard, we all lose something.

10. We will never become the “global citizens” we hear about so often, until we learn to comprehend better HOW and WHY people from different cultures think and do what they do.