Ideograph
From DigitalRhetoricCollaborative
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
| - | An ideograph is a word or phrase with a vague definition which represents an ambiguous set of ideas. This causes ideographs to be able to be used without sending a particular message because people can be affected in several ways by the way the ideograph is used or by their own interpretation of it. The term was first used by Michael Calvin McGee in 1980 to describe certain words used in political discourse. While they are not limited to politics, some of the more commonly used ideographs are frequently used in political discourse. Terms such as 'liberty', 'freedom', and 'equality' all refer to an ideology, but to no specific referent. This allows ideographs to persuade without necessarily having a significant purpose or meaning. | + | An ideograph is a word or phrase with a vague definition which represents an ambiguous set of ideas. This causes ideographs to be able to be used without sending a particular message because people can be affected in several ways by the way the ideograph is used or by their own interpretation of it. The term was first used by Michael Calvin McGee in 1980 to describe certain words used in political discourse.<ref>McGee, Calvin Michael. "The 'ideograph': A link between rhetoric and ideology." ''Quarterly Journal of Speech'' 66:1 (1980). 1-16. Print.<ref> While they are not limited to politics, some of the more commonly used ideographs are frequently used in political discourse. Terms such as 'liberty', 'freedom', and 'equality' all refer to an ideology, but to no specific referent. This allows ideographs to persuade without necessarily having a significant purpose or meaning. |
Another frequently used ideograph in the 21st century is 'terrorism'. Terrorism is defined as “the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal.” After the attacks on September 11, 2001, President George Bush, and later President Barack Obama, frequently used this term to invoke in citizens the same sense of fear that was felt during the attacks. | Another frequently used ideograph in the 21st century is 'terrorism'. Terrorism is defined as “the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal.” After the attacks on September 11, 2001, President George Bush, and later President Barack Obama, frequently used this term to invoke in citizens the same sense of fear that was felt during the attacks. | ||
Revision as of 16:29, 16 April 2015
Introduction
An ideograph is a word or phrase with a vague definition which represents an ambiguous set of ideas. This causes ideographs to be able to be used without sending a particular message because people can be affected in several ways by the way the ideograph is used or by their own interpretation of it. The term was first used by Michael Calvin McGee in 1980 to describe certain words used in political discourse.[1]
