Nur Sakeenah Thomas | 7th Graduate Conference
Rhetorical Appeals in Said Nursi’s Damascus Sermon
Abstract
Rhetoric is viewed as an art of persuasion. It reaped its magnitude in ancient world with the power of influence through the usage of language and has now developed in the modern times. However, little is known about the rhetorical strategies used by Muslim thinkers whose has influenced others until the present day through their thoughts and ideas. The present study sought to explore the rhetorical appeals used by the influential Muslim thinker and theologian, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1877-1960) in his famous Damascus Sermon delivered in the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria in 1911. This article focuses on one of the categories of rhetorical appeals, ethos and its three attributes which are good sense, good moral character, and goodwill. The Sermon was qualitatively analysed by the researchers in reference to its ethical appeals. The research findings revealed that the ethos of the writer has a deep living and lasting impact. His notion of collective personality through the three attributes was conveyed significantly through the usage of the language delivered by him. As it is indicated by the language used in the Sermon, the writer managed to reveal his wisdom, eloquence and foresights through his ethos which made his writings fresh and appealing until the present day. Examples are abundant in the Sermon indicating that Nursi’s high command of competency, personality and credibility were consolidated and portrayed as an influential thinker. These findings have implications for researchers, authors, and any other experts who need to influence their audience. Further research is required to explore the other rhetorical appeals, pathos and logos, in the Damascus Sermon.
Full Paper;
http://iikv.org/academy/index.php/coonferencee/article/view/1885/3631
Abstract
Rhetoric is viewed as an art of persuasion. It reaped its magnitude in ancient world with the power of influence through the usage of language and has now developed in the modern times. However, little is known about the rhetorical strategies used by Muslim thinkers whose has influenced others until the present day through their thoughts and ideas. The present study sought to explore the rhetorical appeals used by the influential Muslim thinker and theologian, Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1877-1960) in his famous Damascus Sermon delivered in the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria in 1911. This article focuses on one of the categories of rhetorical appeals, ethos and its three attributes which are good sense, good moral character, and goodwill. The Sermon was qualitatively analysed by the researchers in reference to its ethical appeals. The research findings revealed that the ethos of the writer has a deep living and lasting impact. His notion of collective personality through the three attributes was conveyed significantly through the usage of the language delivered by him. As it is indicated by the language used in the Sermon, the writer managed to reveal his wisdom, eloquence and foresights through his ethos which made his writings fresh and appealing until the present day. Examples are abundant in the Sermon indicating that Nursi’s high command of competency, personality and credibility were consolidated and portrayed as an influential thinker. These findings have implications for researchers, authors, and any other experts who need to influence their audience. Further research is required to explore the other rhetorical appeals, pathos and logos, in the Damascus Sermon.
Full Paper;
http://iikv.org/academy/index.php/coonferencee/article/view/1885/3631