Constrained Maneuvering: Rhetoric as a Rational Enterprise

Dissociation In Argumentative Discussions

“…Consequently, their treatment is strongly monologually oriented; dialogual aspects of the use of dissociation are hardly treated at all. To be sure, Tindale (2006) argues that Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca employ a conception of rhetoric that does incorporate audience response. However, these authors' treatment of argumentative techniques, including dissociation, does not in any detail specify how the interaction between arguer and audience exactly evolves during an argumentative discussion, how the technique can be employed by both parties in the different stages of the discussion, and how this use of dissociation influences the further development of the discussion.…”

“…To be sure, Tindale (2006) claims that Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca's conception of rhetoric contains a normative dimension. However, the notion of the universal audience that represents this normative dimension remains extremely intractable, also if it is interpreted, as Tindale argues that it should be, as a notion situated in the audience in the particular argumentative situation.…”

From Discussion to Fist-fighting: Was Strategic Maneuvering Derailed during the Debate on the Presidential Age Limit Bill in Uganda?

“…In addition to the pragma-dialectical theory, this article also employs some features of the rhetorical model of argumentation that add value to the various stages of "strategic maneuvering". Basing on the work of Christopher Tindale (2006), the author contends that there are three important "dimensions" to argumentative discourse that should be added as a supplement to the theoretical framework of the present article. The first one involves "the selection of topics….and the material available" to bring out their topical potential at each stage of the discussion.…”

“…The third dimension involves exploiting the presentational devices used strategically at each stage. These may be rhetorical figures or metaphors or even ploys that will be used to impress upon the minds of the members of the audience and to "create presence" (Tindale. 2006).…”

“…But the implied intention was for the Speaker to introduce the extraneous matters done outside the terms of the Bill on the presidential age limit so that they could be included in the discussions and the motion that would ensue from there. The selection of the topics for the rhetoric, and the material there in, as noted by Tindale (2006) was being manipulated right on the floor of parliament and that caused immediate interruption.…”