In Blitzer’s article, the three necessary constituents of a
rhetorical situation are listed as exigence, audience and constraints. Defined
as “an imperfection marked by urgency”, exigence is the the first constituent
and it defines any obstacle or challenge faced within rhetoric that can be
modified through discourse without relying on it completely. Blitzer states
that exigency can be numerous, however in order for them to be considered
rhetorical they must be able to be modified. With that in mind, something such
as death, for example, would be an exigency but it would not be rhetorical. On
the other hand air pollution is an example, because it requires a change in a
person or group of peoples’ actions.
The second constituent is audience, and Blitzer states that
rhetoric always requires an audience. They are the bridge between the rhetoric
and the message being communicated to the influence that is required in order
to make a change. Blitzer states that poets and scientists do not require an
audience because both can meet their goals without the need of an ear, however
in rhetoric, the mediation of the audience is required in order to achieve the
intended goal of influence.
The third constituent is constraint, and that is defined as
the “persons, events, objects, and relations… which have the power to constrain
decision”. Constraint always comes into play in rhetoric because of the power
it has in constraining exigence through images, documents, religious or
political beliefs, along with the general attitude of the orator, who adds more
constraints.
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