Sunday, February 15, 2009
Appealing to humor
This week I went to go see Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speak. I saw it with the intention of using his speech for either my DenveRhetor analysis or report. I walked away from the speech thinking about what was effective and what wasn't. The parts where I felt most connected to him were when he used humor. When he made a joke, or told the truth in a particularly funny way, I felt more inclined to sympathize with him. At a few parts of his lecture he pointed out the inefficiency of cars. He said in a way that made everybody in the room chuckle. His blunt humor made the principle of a car seem ridiculous. I'm fairly certain that if he had merely said the same facts without the joke, I would have been far less impressed by what he was sharing. His jokes were simple and easily understood. Another time when humor proved successful in conveying the direness of a situation was in the article we read in class the other day. Susan Greene used humor to share the debate going on in Denver schools about what should be sold in vending machines. It seemed nearly unanimous around the class that one of our favorite parts of the article was where Greene talked about the student selling sodas out of his locker. Her dry, sarcastic humor appealed to us for some reason. When dealing with rhetor, why is it that humor appeals? Or why doesn't it? If humor doesn't work for you, then what does?
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During RFK jr speech, as Jenn was saying, he constantly made fun of and pointed out the impracticalities and inefficiencies of the energy we use today. We laughed at our inefficiency, and it made us realize that it is strange that we are using the harder to get energy rather than the free, abundant energy. The humor used shows that the audience does understand the absurdity of our situation, and their hope that it will be fixed soon. The speaker connects the best to the audience using humor because it is a point where the audience is included and able to show that they are there. Everyone likes to be noticed and recognized; humor seems to do this.
ReplyDeleteI also attended Robert F. Kennedy Jr's speech last week and, like Jenn, noticed how frequently he used jokes and humor to engage his audience instead of monotonously presenting boring facts. This is an extremely successful method to maintain the audience's attention as well as to convince the listener of your argument. When someone feels comfortable enough to make jokes in front of you, you are more likely to reciprocate that comfort around them and consequently connect with their presentation on a more personal level.
ReplyDeleteI personally relate to this type of rhetorical appeal, but what kind of person wouldn't appreciate this approach? I would be interested in hearing Barbara Ehrenreich or Paula Mathieu talk about what type of rhetoric appeals to them after reading their unconventional opinions on other situations.
Though I've never really thought about the role humor has in rhetoric, it makes sense that a rhetor would employ jokes and the like while in the process of persuasion. As Jen said, she felt most connected to Kennedy whenever he made a humorous quip of some sort and others also felt similarly. When examining why this would be the case, I am constantly led to think of a group of friends laughing together or a family sharing a private joke. I think of situations wherein people laugh (comfortably) or joke (naturally) together. Obviously, people most often laugh or use humor when they are in relaxing situations; when they are among people they know well, with friends or family,and when they are familiar with the conversation topic.
ReplyDeleteIn a rhetorical situation, this level of comfort is not always present. Thus, in order to appeal to his audience, a rhetor might try to use a mechanism that would equalize the possibly diverse audience, and relax the atmosphere. When people laugh together, they are automatically similiar if only in respect to their similiar response to a joke. Thus, the enviornment is more relaxing. When people are relaxed, they are more receptive, so it is a highly intelligent rhetorical choice for a speaker (especially a persuasive one such as Kennedy) to employ humor in order to relax and consequently, persuade, his audience.
However, though humor in a rhetorical situation can be very effective, I do not think it is necessary for me to point out those times when a joke only serves to intensify the awkwardness of an already awkward conglomeration of individuals. We have all probably seen those horrible attempts at humor, and the horrible effects they have. I think, in those situations, humor has the opposite result of Kennedy's humorous speech.
People like to be entertained. When we are entertained, we are more likely to pay attention to what is going on. As it turns out, humor is one of the best ways to entertain people, and thus causes people to feel the need to relate to whatever the person is saying. And, even if we don't relate to it, humorous sayings often put things in a different light.
ReplyDeleteI think the most effective kind of humor is witty humor, because it shows that the author or speaker not only has an understanding of the situation, but that they are capable of making fun of the situation. It is a way to turn something that could be extremely serious into something light hearted, but with the same importance.
Overall, I think humor is an excellent way of appealing to an audience because it entertains and often causes people to think of things in ways they otherwise wouldn't think of.
Although I've never really put the role of humor into thought, I believe it is extremely effective in a rhetoric situation. We are often more likely to pay attention if humor is used, at least I find that I am. Humor puts things into a more relateable state and makes it easier to pay attention. Without humor, I find myself becoming bored in a rhetorical situation. For example, I attended a lecture on italian art in the villas in the Bay of Naples. The lecturer used humor and I immediately found myself engaged, if she had not done this, the lecture could have easily become boring. The use of humor in Susan Green's work is very effective and seemed to be a common liking in class. Overall, I believe humor is an excellent way to engage an audience in a rhetorical situation.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that the humor aspect of rhetor is very effective. I do not know if I can explain exactly why this is. I guess it's such a good feeling to laugh, that people are perhaps more subconsciously satisfied with someone or something that they can find humor in. Humor lightens the mood, and makes people less nervous. If an audience feels like they can safely laugh about something, perhaps they are more likely to absorb more of what is being said because there is no fear to hold them back from listening. It seems there could be endless explanations as to why humor is effective. But I undoubtedly agree that it is appealing to an audience.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like he gave a really good speech! Humor appeals to me and possibly to other people in persuasive speeches because it makes the lecturer some more human like. Sometimes it can be intimidating for a person to stand up in front of such a large group and make statements that are meant to be persuading. For example, in a large classroom setting often teachers can come across as intimidating. When there is a class of over 100 it can be scary to think of raising your hand and asking a question. However, when a teacher starts to make a joke you are reminded that they are just like you and me and have lives outside of the classroom. It is just like how when you are little you think your teachers live at school. FInding out that not only do they live elsewhere but live lives just you like everyone is very humbling.
ReplyDeleteHere's Zach's comment:
ReplyDeleteHumor has a natural appeal to most individuals for many reasons. I think that humor is able to play to an emotional side of an argument more so than it is meant to but is also beneficial in that way. Normal arguments which lack humor are only able to reach a person through the purely logical sense they were intended and therefore are not generally as compelling as joking about an issue can be. There is a major drawback to humor though; sometimes the issue can be left behind or just be a back thought if the joke is formulated around that issue and is on the forefront. This can backfire majorly on a speaker who is trying to gain major support for their argument as people may skirt the issue and pay attention to just the joke. I think humor has a great appeal in rhetoric, but must be used with caution because it can take away from the argument if poorly used or used far too heavily.