Analysis vs. Rhetoric

Analysis is all about Numbers, Rhetoric about Words – not necessarily. Analysis also depends partially on words – but it uses words in their precise sense leaving next to no scope for interpretation. A B-School is about a careful harmony between Words, and Numbers. In that sense Rhetoric too plays a part in a B-School and particularly in Business Communication whereas Technical Communication is more concerned about eliminating Rhetoric completely if possible and focussing on Analysis. And so a T-School is more about Analysis than a B-School. Let me have my take on Rhetoric and Analysis – two of the arts whose finer nuances I have only now been able to discriminate. The same incident is depicted first rhetorically - and then analytically. Barkley was always a Man of Words – a man who had been able to establish an emotional connect with an Audience ranging from townsfolk to rustic idiots. It is surprising that a Man of his stature was never able to grace us with his majestic presence in the White House, though he did had a dubious distinction of being one of the few Vice-Presidents to have withdrawn from the race. At the age of 78, Barkley was still as hale and hearty as he used to be in his heydays. Addressing a Mock Democratic convention, Barkley roared – like only he could have - For I would rather be a servant in the House of the Lord than to sit in the seats of the mighty. Lo and Behold! Barkley lies on the floor, struggling to keep himself from leaving his cloak – a 78 year old fragile body. The words are still remembered as Five Phrase Heart Exploders – none dare utter them in precise sequence in Public at the top of their voice unless they want to get the topmost price - salvation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barkley was born in 1877 and lived upto 1956. He was American Vice-President under Harry Truman from 1948 to 1952. At the age of 78, Barkley’s ailing body gave in. He used to recite Bible in the Morning regularly - I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Refer 84th Psalm) – a habit that had contributed considerably to his oratorical skills. Speaking at a Mock Democratic Convention in 1956, after a long Rhetorical speech – he recited a modified version of the text he read in the morning and suffered a massive heart attack – moments after that.